Discuss our interview with Chuck Adams

From: Pat Lefemine........ ....... Date: 29-Jul-04

Discuss our interview here.

Pat, you surprised me. Ya actually asked him if he needed a "heavy set left-handed kid from Tennessee" as a sidekick LOL

I thought you did a very good job asking the tough questions, especially in the audio only portion at the end. He didn't pull any punches when calling out the "bad apples that lie about where they actually kill animals" and the others that he doesn't admire.

Very well done. Two thumbs up!

I thought it was a very good interview. I havent listened to the audio questions from bowsiters yet. My speakers are down at the moment :((

I am puzzled by part of his response to the question on "How do you afford the hunting you do?" Part of his response was:

"Some of my best friends are Outfitters and I hunt with guides regularly. Partly because it’s the only legal way you can hunt in places like Montana, as a non-resident."

That just isn't true. Non-residents don't need a guide in Montana...not to my knowledge anyway. Was this a misquote?

Nice interview. Chuck seems like a stand up guy. Lord knows he is one hell of a bowhunter. Kudos on the interview.

JMAC

Well, I just want to say thanks...what a treat!

OBH

I really enjoyed it. Thanks for bringing this to us. It is a real educational experiemnce to listen to someone who has "been there & done that". He provides insight that few of us would ever be able to get. Steve in VA

Wow, great interview.

I confess I wasn't paticularly fond of him but after reading the interview I definitely didn't know much about him.

I'm impressed, think I might even buy his book now!

From: 'Ike'........ ....... Date: 29-Jul-04
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Good job Pat, that was good!!!

I have always been a huge fan of chuck adams, and I think it was a great interview. Keep up the good work Pat, thanks! And also, to anyone who has not read his books I highly recommend you do so. Very good stuff.

BRAVO!!!! I loved it.

Pat, you did a really a great job on the interview. I always liked Chuck Adams and this interview just reinforced why. He's a great hunter, an upbeat person and a good example. Yeah!!! Jay

Good work Pat! We might have to give you an new screen name, maybe Barbra Walters?

Great job Pat. I read his book last year and you really get to know him and were he's coming from. He's just a guy that works real hard to do the things he loves most, hunting.

that was awesome Pat!

OS

Pete Eastman, you do not need a guide to hunt in Montana, but it is pretty much the only way to gaurantee you will hunt in Montana every year as a non-resident, secondary to the gauranteed outfitters tags. I assume that is what Chuck was referring to. I was born and raised in Montana till age 26, and wasn't able to draw a tag this year to hunt there, if I signed up with a guide your tag is gauranteed.

Pat, I thought it was a great interview, I especially likes how in the audio questions he specifically told you to ask him anything you wanted and that he didn't mind controversial questions. I think he's a pretty straight up guy who has been able to get his priorities arranged so that he can hunt whenever he wants. Shoot straight.

From: Sushi is Good!........ ....... Date: 29-Jul-04
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Pat,

I really liked the interview too.

My question is Mr. Adams response to his practice regimen where he states--

I bear down and shoot the best during off-season on bull’s-eyes and it trains me to shoot at non bull’s-eye targets.

I had to read that statement twice, is it like sme sort of zen thing?

That interview should put to rest very many questionable assumtions surrounding Chuck's success. I thought the interview was outstanding.

One word sums up Chuck...genuine.

Very good interview. It was nice to have the audio suppliment because you can hear it directly from Chuck's mouth versus some recreated, pc, response typed by some writer or editor. He is definitly a focused individual who has his priorities in life and lives them. May we all do the same.....live life to our priorities, not someone elses.

Ramhunter

great information.........

i love it when guys say anyone could do what he has done if they had the money. they just don't get it. he is a phenomanal hunter. obsessive to the exclusion of much else in life, but he makes an educated choice to be that way so there is nothing wrong with that.

i like the interview and like chuck!

Simply awesome! Ever since I heard Chuck speak at a seminar I have admired his drive and willingness to work to make things happen for him. Success in any endeavor is directly in proportion to ones effort. Many could do what he has done, but sit back and make excuses. Chuck has his head on straight and knows the difference between enjoying your job and enjoying your time off!

Always heard lots of negatives about Chuck Adams. Luckily never formed an opinion unitl this interview. He is truly an ambasssador of bowhunting. Great interview Pat.

Before I really got interested in hunting, I borrowed a friend's book written by Chuck, Bowhunter's Digest 3rd Edition. I read it cover to cover three times and I've been hooked on hunting ever since. I bought my own copy and still read parts of it every once and awhile. I even had Chuck autograph it for me. Great writer and a truely gifted hunter.

Just interested,

What did Chuck do as a career before he got "famous" bowhunting? I've been working for 20 years and only have 5 weeks of vacation.

And, is he married with a family?

My bride let's me hunt a good bit, and my oldest daughter loves to hunt with me, BUT blocking out the last 4 months of the year to hunt, plus budgeting for it takes a lot.

steve

I loved it ! I sure wish Chuck would email me with an offer to hunt with him !

Bets part of the interview ? When he said

" My hat's off to anybody who is accurate with a longbow or recurve because I know in my heart that it’s a lot more difficult. "

Was one of those who was not real fond of Chuck for no particular reason at all except tired of over-exposure... then I got his book last year and that caused a major change in my thought process... the interview just confirmed it- not quite the Chuck-O-phile that Sneaky Puss is but i damn sure admire the man. NOw i can't wait to get to brothers computer so i can use his high-speed line to listen to some of the questions...

R

Chuck-O-phile - I like that :)

Where did he work at? What is his job now?

Where did he work at? What is his job now?

Far as I know, he makes his living writing and (I would guess) as a spokesman for some bowhunting equipment makers.

Chuck is a prolific writer - just take a look at how many articles he has in the current bowhunter magazines out there this month alone.

Somewhere, I think I once read that he had written more than 3,000 articles - and that was some time ago.

Hockeyman

Thanks Pat. This is one of the best features you've ever done. I enjoyed it thorougly.

Good hunting.

Nice job I enjoyed!!!!

I`ve always admired the man, but reading his book, and this interview, have proven what a great person, and ambassador for the sport of bowhunting he really is. Excellent work Pat!

I thought the interview was great!

I had the priviledge of meeting Mr. Adams a couple of months ago at the K.C. Cabela's. I couldn't believe it, there was no one around his table, what an opportunity! He seemed to me to be a VERY upstanding hunter and man, and someone that loved what he did.

To me it seemed amazing that someone that had accomplished so much was so humble about it. That shows why he does what he does, for love and not for fame or fortune. You could tell he'd rather be on a mountain top alone chasing elk than in a room full of people that were looking in awe of the man and giving him praise for what he accomplished. To me that says alot, and your interview really confirms my thoughts of Mr. Adams. Yes I call him Mr. Adams because I really respect who he is and why he does what he does. For the love of it and not for his ego. He's a good man and I'm glad I was able to talk with him for even just a few minutes, I'm sure I'm a better hunter for it.

Like him or not, you have to respect the man. From what I have read and seen of him, I both like and respect him. Damn fine hunter, and seems like a damn fine person on top of that.

Pat, great interview!

Awesome interview. With my two little P&Y whitetail entries (167 2/8 and 160 P&Y gross) , I'm not worthy of holding his practice arrows for him. If he endorses a product, I give serious consideration to buying it. His "Quadgrunter" works great, and I swear by the Satelite "Matchpoint" practice heads he endorses.

Great interview! Thanks to Pat and Chuck for sharing with us. Happy hunting and shoot straight!

I'm another who never really gave the guy a chance before. Didn't DIS-like him so much as just didn't expect to like him so never bothered to read much by or about him. Might have been the ever-present toothy smile or that hat. I'll probably go buy his book now, too. Ought to make a good one for reading in the stand this fall.

Real glad you did the interview and that I finally got around to reading it. Surprised me how many things I had in common with him. Strong preference for do-it-yourself hunting, finger shooter, etc. I don't begrudge him a bit of his success after reading about the intensity and dedication he's put into it.

Couldn't get the sound portion to work with my crummy dial-up hookup. Supposed to get high-speed access through our power company lines sometime soon, and I can hardly wait!

i loved the interview good job. i just told two hunting buddies to listen to it and of course the one guy started to bad mouth chuck so i put a stop to that and told him to talk to me after the audio.

MET HIM ONCE AND HAD HIM SIGN A PICTURE OF HIM AND HIS GRIZZLY. HE WAS POLITE AND NOT STUCK UP AT ALL AND JUDGING BY HIS INTERVIEW HE HASN'T CHANGED. WISH I HAD HIS LUCK THOUGH

Thanks, Pat -

Thoroughly enjoyed the interview.

iowaPete

He's wrong if he thinks all the criticisms stem from jealousy. I think most of it arises from something altogether more significant.

Clearly, many of recognize the hunt is too often overly commercialized and has gotten too far away from meat (now often considered to be a bothersome chore).

He gave a good presentation, but we have hunters who could articulate the contrary position even more effectively - and have, although the hunting rags usually aren't interested. I'm refering to someone like Aldo Leopold or E. Donell Thomas. What do you think their take on Chuck Adams would be

Thanks for the interview (both Pat & Chuck) it was interesting and gave some insight as well. I have never really disliked him or been a fan either. He sounds very real and down to earth though - I believe he would be easy to get along with.

Good interview. He is a pretty amazing hunter. Though I have read a lot of his articles & books I have never heard him speak so the audio questions were interesting.

I see there is ONE decenter amongst all the positive responses. I'm sure Don Thomas wouldn't have much to say about Chuck, or any other fellow writer. They both "commercialize" hunting by publicizing there works. For that matter Aldo Leopold did too. So what's wrong with that?

Great interview! Audio is tremendous, it gives you a real sense of who he is and how he thinks.

Thanks very much for the interview Pat, I enjoyed it a lot.

i liked the interview so much i went out and bought his book friday and i've all ready read most of it chuck is a great guy that i'd love to meet / hunt with!

Where can you hear/read it?

Nevermind-cant see for looking :)

)I see there is ONE decenter amongst all the positive responses. I'm sure Don Thomas wouldn't have much to say about Chuck, or any other fellow writer. They both "commercialize" hunting by publicizing there works. For that matter Aldo Leopold did too. So what's wrong with that?

Leopold didn't commercialize killing animals and Thomas' emphasis is also qualitatively different than Adams.

I still want to know what he does with all the meat. A bit of a troublesome chore no doubt. Few writers even mention it these days.

David Alford

Wow...that was worth the read...thanks for the incite. That article should put to rest some of the issues of the speed of equipment necessary for success.... His bow IBO's out at 254 fps.... We should all (well, at least me) put more emphasis on the hunt & less on the equipment used to hunt.... Cudos to both Pat & Chuck.... Well done young man (men)! Thanks again for the article & your cite.... Dux

Great job on the interview Pat, I like the fact that Chuck address the hard questions as well as the no brainers. The last couple years I've learning as much as I can about Chuck and what drives him.He has two great books out know that are great reads! I think the bottom line to his success is that he not only has the desire, but he also has the drive to make it happen!

I would really enjoy meeting this man someday!

I agree with many of you when you say that Mr. Adams represented himself well in the interview and did away with some of the misconceptions that are out there.

I personally do not see how I could ever make bowhunting the number one priority in my life, however. That's just me. I wonder (like another, above) if he has a family, children or other things that (for many) come before hunting. It's just a fact of life that few of us can take the kind of time off to hunt like Chuck does. But I do understand that the way he lives is his choice.

A few years ago I saw his pic in Cabelas grinning with a buck and wearing some of their clothing. No harm there. But in another spot I saw him with the same buck but different duds. It made me wonder if he had changed clothing for another picture.

It's things like this that make people wonder about the "commercialization" of the hunt.

To me, "commercialization" comes into it where I see Chuck Adams endorsing a product but know full well that one of the biggest reasons he was successful in that hunt was all the other things he does that I could never do. So why buy it?

Although I do miss my quad grunter that I lost two years ago.....

JS- the "number one priority" comment took me aback as well. When I was a kid in the early '80's, I bought his book "bowhunting deer" or something like that. I read it cover to cover several times. I learned a lot from that book. I remember in the book he said that his wife killed deer-size game with a 40 pound bow at distances to 40 yards with cut on impact broadheads. So he was married, at least back then.

I learned a great deal from the interview. Thanks for a great read. A very good hunter and absolutely dedicated to it.

He's divorced and chose not to have children. Not my priorities, but not for me to judge. Adams chose differently and his hunting success is already legendary.

Being with my two oldest kids when they shot their first deer, and hunting with my youngest boy, he gets his first licsense this fall, is my super slam.

Good Interview.

Years ago when I decided to start bowhunting I bought Chuck's bowhunting deer book. I didn't know sh*t from shinola so I took it all as gospel. I am just an average joe who has taken a few deer, moose and bear mainly because I followed his recommendations religiously. Great interview, classy guy, neat to have audio of him. Well Done! What I'd give to spend time with him in a bow camp someday! regards from canada.

I really respect and admire Mr. Adams for his hunting accomplishments and his writing. It may be tough for some to accept but I believe he has introduced as many, if not more people to bow hunting than any other person. He's been flamed on this site for "not giving back to bow hunting". That's silly.

That being said, I would like to know the whole story regarding the Paul Shaeffer incedent. Is it true or made up? Is it an over blown misunderstanding between competative individuals or what? Inquiring minds want to know...

The interview was excellent!

Someone mentioned his bow IBO's at 250ish... with his arrows he made the comment in one article that he usually shoots in the mid to upper 230's... amazing that you can shoot that good and that far with his speeds... but then forgiveness is HUGE in bowhunting.

R

I've never heard of the Paul Shaeffer incident? Can you give a breif description? Thanks

Once again Pat, you have proven yourself a peacemaker and a gentleman. Chuck has taken some rough treatment at the hands of those who have never met him. Now we in effect, have walked up to Chuck's campfire, shaken his hand, and had coffee with him, and chewed the fat. It was a great opportunity, and it was handled very well, way to go!!

Thanks for the nice comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview and the way we produced it.

Pat

People knock him for the hunts that he goes on, just remember one fact, he works to hunt, he saves up to go on 4-5 hunts per year, we "average joes" work our tails off for what? house payment, car payments, pay off wife's credit card spending. He doesn't have that, maybe we would gladly trade places with him, or maybe sometimes he would gladly trade with us. ?

I was truly impressed and learned quite abit from the interview. I never was a "Chuck Basher" although I do love those photo poses, but I have some new found respect for the man.

He does it his way and he sacrifices for every animal he's killed. Few can say that.

From: Jer........ ....... Date: 15-Aug-04
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Chuck sounds like a "Stand up" kind of guy!

I have one question, I heard he has an elk book coming out soon. Any news or am I wishing?

Never thought about chuck much, always assumed he was payin big bucks for tags.

I have new respect for him and plan on buying a book.