From Simon Steele

[steely]

To my friends Family and fellow hunters.

In the past five days I have been forced to confront and accept some truths that I have fought against for a very long time.

The words I am writing here tonight I have not had the courage or strength to speak, in three years not even to my Darling wife who’s eyes search mine for what it is that tortures me so.

There can be no surety or understanding of my situation without complete understanding so to you, a group of people around which my life is wrapped I will bare my soul.

The first of February this year will mark the 3rd anniversary of my mother’s death, released from the persecution of a relentless Cancer that took her from us far far too soon.

My mother Pam Steele was a courageous selfless woman with whom I had a bond that my words will fail to do justice. The roller coaster ride of hope and despair that followed her diagnosis with Cancer was a cruel event and one through which she maintained a trade mark dignity and composure.

At almost the same time as her diagnosis the family and I took up my post in Mackay Queensland, what seemed a million miles from those I knew would need me most and an unavoidable reality of adult life.

My Character being what it was I remained optimistic until close to the end that mums worsening condition would be relieved by they brilliant surgeons and nurses that would report to me by phone most weeks; they would speak to me so I could speak to Dad as he could not bare to hear the bad news from them.

At the end as in life my mother worried more for others not herself, who will take care of you father she would say to me, and when the doctor came to her bedside to tell her of the grave nature of developments on the day she died she took his hand, thanked him and said, lets have it over with, she asked my brother to call me home and she tried to wait for me to arrive, I know she did she told them that she would.

I made immediate flight arrangements and the people at the airlines were wonderful but my mother had fought to hard for to long and passed away with me madly rushing for the airport , I was not with her when she died I had never conceived of this possibility we would always have time, there would always be time. There is not always time.

I was numb for that week a black remorse tipped me headlong into a my life’s first encounter with Mental depression and all its contorting effects, a situation
In which it seemed the harder I fought to accept the stronger its hold on me became.

I would not and could not accept that I had fallen to depression I was 37 bull strong with the world at my feet
Yet from that day to this my life would be irreparably changed and happiness would elude me at every corner, no achievement would be satisfactory no good time long lasting.

Depression I have learned does several things simultaneously, it skews your sense of self, impairs your ability to reason and deprives you of a view to the door leading away from it and it is not a choice.

In the last three years in its control I have felt my attitude and personality change, I have withdrawn, let friends and relationships dissolve and ultimately compromised my integrity in a vein attempt to cater to the cloud that has settled over me.

In my house I have an office in which I spend a disproportionate amount of time, the people I care most about but a few steps from its door, still I withdraw to it as if a safe house for a mind wracked with self doubt that I can never satisfy.
My bowhunting and time in the bush long ago an obsession is the cotton wool around my mind I immerse myself in it to make the noise stop but not even it has been spared the self destructive behavior that has crept into my life and brings me to this point.

Over the past three years there has been four separate occasions where given the opportunity I have broken with our bowhunters code in the taking of game and have misrepresented the manner in which it was done on our website a fact that I am neither proud of or completely able to understand.

I have fallen into a condition that I now accept I am ill equipped to mange without help.

In my time in Bowhunting I have met and made friends with some of the most genuine and interesting people a man could ever wish to know, you are all my friends and I am your friend, but just right now I am your struggling friend, the smile on my face and confident words a failing disguise.

To those of you who feel compelled to make sport of me in this situation and I know there are some, line up and swing away it will be a free shot.

With my arms by my side I have neither a defense nor the will to combat you, but as you swing please remember that I am just a man, the most ordinary of men found fallible in life as we all are and full of as much good as we are failure.

It has been said and taken by me in great pride that my actions in our sport have served to inspire others and that the young look up to me, though my mistakes produce doubt please do not loose faith in me, I am a better man than my actions in this troubled time would portray continue to be inspired and enjoy our sport, we are bonded by something stronger, our will to hunt.

Indians would say it is possible for a man to see the way forward by the light in his heart, even in the dark. The light in my heart, once a fire has grown dim during this time. I am going to be gone for a while and seek help; I want to be healthy and happy again for my sake and for those of all around me including you my friends.


Yours Sincerely


Simon Steele.

[NormGunston]

Get back out and at 'em, mate! :D
Ant

[Bowtech Hunter]

Hope to see you out there and at them again mate all the best and hope to see you back on ya feet soon hay :wink: all the best Simon

cheers Zac

[XTfreak]

Iam looking forward to your return, and I hope it is a quick return.
Bill

[Antarcher]

Wishing you the very best in your recovery. Good luck and hope to have you back on here, full of information, soon.

Bowhunting is not the be all, end all. There are many larger problems in the world that people should focus on.

[steviebby]

we will be thinking of you mate

[steviebby]

to me you are an exectptional hunter fullstop!

[robbbo]

Hope to see you back and at it soon Simon,looking forward to your return,Chin up mate
All the best Robbbo

[Sparra]

Depression is a disease that is,for some reason, often unspoken about,and goes un-noticed until it is too late.It can be treated
and overcome with the right help.Good luck with it Steely...
Regards...Sparra

[Jeffro]

Yeh good luck steely ,for every bad time there is a good time around the corner , just take comfort in the thought that your not the only one.many people have misfortune and your not alone.look to the bright side :D

[Mozza]

wishing you all the best Simon
Looking forward to your stories in the future mate :)

[woodstoka]

get back out there simon this site wouldnt be the same with out ya mate :D

[Mick Smith]

Simon

I don't know what you actually did, but I don't really care either. I know from your writings you're totally dedicated to bowhunting. You're also a good bloke and that's good enough for me. None of us a perfect. When you accept a friend, you must accept their weaknesses too.

Don't be too hard on yourself, just focus on getting your life back in order.

Depression is a wide spread problem. Winston Churchill suffered with it for most of his life. He called it "the Black Dog". A few of my friends have really suffered with depression. It cost two of them their marriages and left their lives in tatters. With the appropriate medication they have managed to get their lives back on track. I'm sure you can too.

Just put it all behind you. :wink:

Mick

[jindydiver]

I feel really sorry for you Simon, I know all too well the black cloud of depression. It isn‘t forever and I hope that you can find your way out of it.

I have always enjoyed your stories but now I will be wondering which ones were fair dinkum and which ones were made up, and I am sure I am not alone there.

I saw this same stuff happen in mountaineering. The mountaineer often reaches his goal alone and so we have always believed someone when they relate the story of their conquests because we have always believed that if we are honourable then we must believe that others like us are also. We also like to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated.
Then we had some doubts creep in when some outrageous claims were made by people who were in search of even greater glory. Now suspicion has crept into the mountaineering world and now that it is there it will never leave.


Simon, you already know that you have done bow hunters a great disservice because now we will find it that much harder to believe everything that a fellow bow hunter tells us. We will now be more suspicious of everybody who takes great game and I am sure that it will get to the stage where bow hunters just won’t be taken at there word anymore. You aren't the first to sow the seeds of doubt though and I fear you wont be the last either.

We may find in the future that you have done some good for bow hunting too. Your exploits were certain to have inspired others to try to beat you (or at least emulate you) and there are plenty of hunters who were becoming focused on the race rather than on just participating. Maybe now a lot of hunters will step back and look at what they are doing. Who knows really. I hope so, I would like to see all hunters hunting because of the hunt, not the accolades of their peers. It is great to bask in the glow of your successes, but when that is what people become hooked on they are maybe losing sight of why many of us hunt, things like the scenery, the feeling of disconnection from life’s worries when you are into a great stalk or the campfire camaraderie as we share stories with others that understand our passions. These are the reasons I take my bows for walks in the woods, and I know I am not alone, I hunt with guys that I am sure feel the same.

Maybe one day Simon, when you have sorted yourself out, you could join us.

[aussiehunter]

in reply to simon steel statements

quite a few people have had information regarding the misleading actions of the above person.i personally met the man just a fornight ago and stayed at his house ,met his family and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning drinking port. i left the next day thinking what a nice bloke.

sadly 72 hours later i was presented with damning evidence of his serious misconduct,misrepesenting his taken of game by a bow by using a rifle and also claiming game that had been shot by someone else.

also in conversation he openely admitted to me illegally bowhunting fallow deer in tasmania where bowhunting deer with a bow is illegal.he did say he always bought a permit though....

ive been informed that simon has now resigned from aba and has asked all his claims to be removed as well


simon may i put a few questions to you.

1. do u admit taking of fallow deer with the use of the bow in tasmania

2. there are serious suggestions that you then claimed these deer as being harvested on the mainland.is that true.

3. claims from property owners that u shot two does for meat using a firearm, would these also be the two chital does you posed with using one of your trad bows

4. claims from your hunting partner that you shot a large chital stag with your rifle then posed with your bow, is this true

5.with the buff pics there are no doubts ,that you have admitted to graham cash from bowhunters downunder magazine. may i make a point that admission was after being personally confronted by graham cash.

also may it also be noted that this was less then 24 hours later when asked the same question by luke griffin you claimed that you had shot the buff.[ i have the msn conversation]

i pm you a couple times simon asking you to come forward honestly and openely and personally from what i can see you are a very good story teller.there are others who also have the truth and im sure they will come forward.

as i have said before to you simon,i do not wish you harm,but you should tell the whole truth,i sincerely wish your family well and i hope they stick by you.

to rest of tbga ,this is not an attack,but i feel the whole truth should be presented.






the buff in question that was claimed with aba and also presented on tbga as simon steels.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/CoverPicBigGameAustralia.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/steelybuff.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/vicattardbuff.jpg

Hi
I defently took that buffalo mate. Spoke to the bowhunters
group and they said they will sort it out...thanks for the
concern, Regards Vic Attard

[XTfreak]

I think the post from Simon sums up everyting we need to know, and more. Perhaps now is the time to let it go and allow the man to get the help he needs. This is NOT a go at you aussiehunter as Iam sure everyone is full of questions similar to yours. I just think the specific questions people have should be in a pm to Simon.
Just my opinion.
Bill

[adam]

It doesn't matter what I think of the situation, only how I conduct my own hunting which is only important to me.

Get well soon Simon, take nothing but your bow hunting with your son and leave the camera behind. The roots of hunting are as jindy posted and should never be second best.

I'm off for five days hunting and it couldn't be a better time to get away from the net.

Yours in bowhunting
Adam Greentree

[jason]

I feel sorry for you simon. My ex wife and family members had bad depression but i am one of those people that cannot fathom being depressed which ask my girlfriend now brings its own downfalls but anyway. I am with Pat. your open letter did not answer the questions that most of us want to hear and that is,
what was bowshot and what was not
I loved reading your stories and still do, just read your story in archery action and it was great but which ones were fairy tales.
I would also like to know would the guilt weighed that heavy on you that you were going to admit it or was it just because you were caught....
I hope you stay in bowhunting and get back to doing it just for the love and not for the glory as i think you have a wealth of knowledge in hunting.

[ricochet]

Now after Simon's post, lets all sit back, as both Jindy & Adam have stated and re-assess, how we go about our hunting, lets hunt for the hunting sake, and not try to out do or better anyone, bigger, better trophies are not the be all to end all,

Just enjoy getting out there :)

Rick

[jindydiver]

I'm off for five days hunting and it couldn't be a better time to get away from the net.



Same here, in a couple of hours I am off fishing and playing in the surf with the kids for a week. As good a time as any to get away from it all :)

[Puk]

Thankyou to those of you who have shown some compassion for Steely.
For those who haven't just remember that the mistakes Steely has made aren't the cause, they are the symptom of an underlying disease.

Depression is still one of the most stigmatised and misunderstood illnesses in our culture, and as one who has also suffered the ignorace and maliciousness that many sufferers of this condition do, i can only hope that some of you find yourself with more supportive friends than you have been, if you were ever to be diagnosed with this crippling disease.

I still feel that the heartfelt remorse shown, and the brave way that Simon has approached this situation are a measure of the man. As i said to him, if he had no morals or ethics he would probably sleep like a baby. He is torturing himself enough. Lets the rest of us be a bit understanding and get behind him. And by that i don't mean on his back.

He has a long road back to earn our trust (and to full recovery), but he is still a damn skilful hunter and a good man. Lets not kick him while he's down.

Try to separate between what he has done and who he is. One is bad, the other is not.

here endeth the sermon.

Peace.
Puk

[fallowhunter]

So the great man is only just a great story teller after all. :x

He has fraudulently deceived us all yet some of you are still sucking up his you know what. I know if I was a publisher, I would drag him over the coals and make an example of him and seek compensation.

Some of you jump up and down over the most trivial of things but this is SERIOUS yet some of you dont care. As they say "respect is earned, not a right"

Claiming depression does not make his actions right.

[NormGunston]

I'm glad to know that the funds this forum raised through MOvember will support further research into the causes of and support for depression.

[ricochet]

So the great man is only just a great story teller after all. :x

He has fraudulently deceived us all yet some of you are still sucking up his you know what. I know if I was a publisher, I would drag him over the coals and make an example of him and seek compensation.

Some of you jump up and down over the most trivial of things but this is SERIOUS yet some of you dont care. As they say "respect is earned, not a right"

Claiming depression does not make his actions right.


Fallowhunter, I cannot see one place where people have stated that his actions are right, there are many people very dissappointed with what has been happening, especially the print and net providers, where Simon had many stories told,as simon stated all those that want a free swing step up,have your say, then get on with it.

Rick

[jason]

Puk i am sorry but to stand behind a disease and say that it made me do it i just cannot cop. Lots of people on this forum have i bet been thru tragic events but they have not resorted to this. To me it was someone trying to over achieve like atheletes that decide to take steroids. Sure he probably buried himself in bowhunting to take his mind off his problems but i am sure he new the actions he was taking were fraudulant. Personally i hope he does stay on this site and in bowhunting and starts fresh. But he is going to have to take the rath of a lot of people and just turn the other cheek to get back what he once had. It is more sad to me that all the game he has and will shoot with a bow will never be given the credit it deserves as it will always have a stigma attached to it.

[Puk]

the way i see it Fallowhunter,
He did the wrong thing on 1 buff and 1 Chital.
That makes about 51 deer he has taken with all manner of bows.

Just a great story teller? Give us a break. :roll: Where are your 51 deer?
When you get there, then step up to the plate and have a go.

Have none of you ever exaggerated the size of a kill, poached, back-doored a mate on a hunting property? Those people can throw the first stone.

Oh, yeah, that category is also only open to those who know what it is like to suffer from depression.

Puk

we're so big on Indian sayings around here, how about "Dont judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins"

[steviebby]

he told a few lies so what? i wont lose any sleep over it least he told lies in an entertaining way. remove any records of trophies taken and move on . as for sucking up his a#@S no ones doing that the man is unwell all i see is some people showing concern and support you should try it sounds to me you like someone lost there favorite super hero did you know santa isnt real either?? calm down. my hunting hasnt changed the possibilites havent either i dont know steely personally but i dont like the idea of anyone suffering from depression or any type of mental illness it is a horrible thing that few people care to understand .only when a close family member or friend suffers from it is possible to get an ounce of the true sense of the word "depression" . i wonder if hes into fishing? sounds like he would make a good one lol.

[fallowhunter]

He did the wrong thing on 1 buff and 1 Chital.
That makes about 51 deer he has taken with all manner of bows Are you sure, absolutely sure?

Just a great story teller? Give us a break. Where are your 51 deer?
When you get there, then step up to the plate and have a go
I have owned a bow for about 9 months and taken 2 deer and passed up many, many shots. If I was after numbers, who knows how many. My son has had a bow for 10 days and knocked over a deer. I am not the one looking for the glory, Steely is.

[chris]

Steviebby wrote

he told a few lies so what?

So What, some people have been band from this site for allegedly lying, with no proof.


Chris

[Luke]

Name them Chris!

[Luke]

That is total bull****.

[excelpoint]

If the man truley has depression then only those that have suffered and beaten it have the right to say what it can an cant make a person do. He has stood up and publicly announced the disease he is fighting and asked for nothing in return, yet some see fit to continue to publicly sh#t can the bloke, shame on those people. I have read a few of his posts and found them very entertaining and will continue to do so if he posts again.

Simon, Good luck mate with your fight.

[ssga1]

"Temptation is the only thing I can't resist" Comes to mind here?

I support Steely with my actions by continuing to hunt with a clear conscience, some people may not understand what it is like to be judged. However as Puk said......." let those among us who have done no wrong throw the first insult"??? I admit to making fish grow bigger, adding a few yards to a long shot and therefore I will throw no insults, this is "perfect" human nature, to all be different! I am not god, but I believe he (conscience/soul) has judged himself more than any remark thrown on this topic.

If human life was at risk then so it would be different, but dont crucify the bloke over minor/major sporting matters. Jezz Warnie pulled the wool over everyones eyes when "my mother made me take it". Infact I dont think even the papers have mentioned his indiscretion with the diuretic pill :? since he took 700 test wickets!

Punishment WTF for, it will gain nothing other than making "you" all feel better, but make the real cheats, cheat even better !!!! :evil:

Hey Steely, you are welcome to join me anytime for a hunt and you can bring any tool of your choice........as long as the animal doesn't suffer lets go for it :wink:

Lies, really just bending the truth to suit the required situation....... :roll:


SSGA

[rinaldo]

I have suffered from bouts of depression and I know how alone and helpless you can feel. You suffer from anguish and despair from the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep and you wonder whether it’s worth going on.

Steely has screwed up and has apologized; he now needs some compassion and support from his family and peers to help him get over his problems. Not a kick in the guts when he most needs his friends. Mate I would happily hunt with you all the best for the future. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

[Al Kidner]

First of all I will state that I, Al Kidner, have no axe to grind here. But I think a history lesson is due............

I would bet 1 week of my wages that I know Mr Steele better that 95% of ALL people that post or visit this site. Through hunting side by side with the man, spending hours and days with both him and his family, in the bush and in our homes.

So I think I can put forward my views on this sad & true subject that is at hand. FWIW.

I called this man my pal, mate and true friend. An honer that I've passed out to only a handful of people in 32 years. I told him things that I've never told a living soul. Things about my family, weaknesses and problems dealing with "civi life" after 8 years being a grunt in the Infantry. I'm not an open book, never will be, so for me to pass these things on to Mr Steele one could guess that I trusted him whole heartedly. Maybe even with my life? And he knows this.

On more than one occasion "things" just didn't sit right with me. I had my suspicions about a number of issues, but as this was my mate I made up excuses and put them back into the dark areas that we store in our minds. But as time moved on, more and more "things" became unsettling for me. My gut feeling told me to worry... and I did, a lot.

It is said that "What ever happens in the bush, stays in the bush" Not a truer word said. But when the bush goes into hunting magazines and on the net and I know they are false - something needs to be done. And it looks as if it's running it's course.

I ended my friendship with Simon 5 months ago, face to face. One of the hardest things I've had to do, in or out of the uniform. And I am glad now I did. On that very day I warned Simon to take things easy, stick to the right path and tell it how it was, the truth. Looks as though he was in too deep and failing to see the clear path. But I wonder if this hadn't come out, would he be so remorseful and sorry? I think not. It's not until karma slaps one up the side of the head that they are sorry for their actions.

For someone to lie to my face and others that I hold dear and call close mates, to pen articles for magazines and to post most regularly on this site hunting "Tales", to hide behind life's curve balls and depression I find it disgusting and shallow of true charector. No one made him do it. Simon and Simon alone bred this monster and fed it until it grew so out of control it ate it's master. All for the "Glory" of the sport. To have ones name up in lights. And at the whole time missing the journey that is bowhunting.

So yes I will take my swing, I take no glee in it, just a matter of course.

You know were I live mate. Kettle's on when your ready.

al

[HOOD]

Simon my wife and I wish you all the best with your recovery.

There are plenty out there willing to help and understand knowing full well how depression can consume your life.

I for one have suffered (and still do at times) from depression after loosing a best mate in a car accident which I was in the same car as he. And have a daily reminder through scars and back problems of this accident and the lose of a mate.
Depression can control your thoughts and actions and it does so in many a different way for each person.

Please note that I do not condone what you have done but do feel for you being depressed as you were/are and having it control your mind the way it has.
Having been there myself and having it consume and control (and it does CONTROL your life your every thought and emotion and action) my life as it did. I know that I said and did things that I am far from being proud of and hurt people in the process.

It took 3 years of this torture before I could admitt that I needed help and then look for any professional help, and am only sorry that I did not seek this help earlier.

I like a lot of "MEN" out there was to stubborn and proud to admitt that I had these scary thoughts and emotions in my head.
Recovery can be a long, painful and lonely road but it need not be.

It takes a lot of guts to admit that you have done wrong and humble your self and expose the very personal details of your health and mental well-being to the onslaught of ridicule as you have.

This sort of situation can either enflame the already evident mental issue and send you furhter into depression, BUT I truely hope that it fuels your desire to seek help and a full recovery.

All the best to you and your family.

See you in the bush one day :wink:

[STEALTH]

Its a start to a new year and a great time for a fresh start.I wish you all the best on your recovery,family and future.Get well soon mate.
..Frank.

[FentonW]

I have known Simon now for a number of years, have sat at a table and retold how hunts when and the whys of why we do this. I have measured his game and admired his headmounts many, many times. I have had a few ales with the man Simon Steele and not once thought an event like this was possible, there are things I knew Simon was capable of but these things have blindsided me.

Before I go any further I wish to state the the depression is a cop out! I have lived with a partner that has battled depression on and off for 15yrs, to the point that suicide was considered. Depression doesn't drive you, it disables you. Take the depression away and put it down in black and white I wonder if the responses will be the same. This is not a swing at you Simon.

Simon you have put on this site (And the Admin of this site) in an unfair burden to take a position on arguably the highest profile member, built on the fact of your hunting acheivements. You have put Bowhunting in a terrible light. Step forward and put it down in wrighting exactly what you have down wrong, remembering that a good lier has an exceptional memory. Don't leave Admin or anyone else to say anything for you, let your actions speak for themselves.

Fenton Wooley.

[yarra01]

Hi all have just sat down to read the statements above and to be quite honest i am a bit dishearted with some people in the tbga.

The fact that this man whom i have never met has just come out and told the lot of us that he suffers from depression.And still after all that some members decide they will humiliate him some more by waving the facts to everyone that he has lied and cant be trusted.

For people out there who are lucky enough to have never had depression its easy for you to judge this man as a cheat and a lier but the reality of the matter is that the only way to get completely well is to have no doubt in yourself that everything is alright. Which now after the allegations that have been presented to the tbga people now per sieve Simon as a cheat and no matter what some people say or think you will never have complete faith in again. He will always have a doubt or a shadow above his name.Did he really get that or did he shot it with a rifle? not the kind of thing that a broken man needs.

I am sorry to say this but i could totally understand if you don't here anything from Simon for a long ,long time which is ashame because in the very brief time that i have been bow hunting this man is very familiar to me as he is to many others out there people who don't even use this site are familiar with him.So to label him this way as has been done has had no help in his recovery at all.

So the man stuffed up so what. If any one out there thinks they not had temptation to do something that is not right or moral is only kidding them self. It is up to the individual to decided weather or not to taste the temptation. A person who is depressed is less likely to do the right thing for the simple fact that in doing that thing will make them self feel good even if only for a moment.

Don't judge this man for his actions because no body can really ever understand what he is going through.

Stay strong Simon there is light at the end of this.

[Bowtech Hunter]

Simon has done rong he know's it and so do we all but put it behind us and give the man some support. NO ONE IS PERFECT IN THIS WORLD AND IF SOME OF YOU THINK YOU ARE AND YOU CAN PROVE IT THAT YOU HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING RONG THEN HAVE YA SWING AND p@#s OFF IF NOT THEN S#$T UP :evil: . we are all disappointed but we can all move on i will give the man all my support because i do beleave he's a great hunter and a great man i say just leave it be. come and have a hunt with me and the old man anytime mate :wink:.

zac

[aussiehunter]

bowteck hunter, big words mate :D

puk,yarra1....ill step up to the plate..and yes i have experienced depression over a lot of years up til my 30s...my sister most of her life.

find me a expert who will tell us that one who suffers depression will suddenly wish to bring large scale attention to oneself . most would rather be loners,recluse,have no energy to do anything,let alone travelling the countryside harvesting game...

never have i then or after thought of misrepersenting myself in any of my pursuits.

i have never ever thought of lying,poaching,strecthing the truth all for the purpose of claiming game .

my personal thoughts is u only have ur name in the end,so look after it

so plz guys give this sort of reponses a rest,its offensive to many of the longterm serious bowhunters who understand the meaning of bowhunting,ethics and morals...

lets base things on facts..

so far we have facts on what has occured and we have questions that should be answered if such person is seriously sorry for his mis doings.

but so far we have a well written letter [and plz no disrespect concerning his mothers loss] but no admissions to what he has done wrong.

this is not a witch hunt,but a numerous amounts of serious misconduct has been done against the bowhunting communitee,deciet to a lot of ppl who thought of him as a friend and to many youngsters who looked up to him.

so i ask simon steel,plz come forward and answer some questions and set all the records straight.

[wazza_X force]

firstly, i would like to say that i am a little bit gutted that you have lied about a COUPLE of things... now, that could be two, it could be more, i dont know... the only thing bad that i think has come out of this little episode is a little dissapointment from your mentee's, me being one of them...

however, i would like to say AS A MENTEE, that i know one thing that i am positive of, and that is that your whole legacy isnt a lie... as such, you are stil one of the most succesful, reachable hunters i know!!! Also as a mentee, i was gutted for about 3 days, and i by no stretch of the imagination condone what you did, but i ask everyone else here to remeber all the other accomplishments that you have had...

it took me three days to get over this, and as was stated, i think that the records should be deleted AND FORGOTTEN...

this whole argument is doing two things... splitting us apart, and if Steely is reading these, making his recovery from a serious illness even more difficult...

i have forgiven but not completely forgotton, i simply hope that everyone else can at least sympathise with this man, who has realised his wrongs and opened himself to a battering... Steely dissapointed me, but so to do all of those that choose to have a dig at such a vulnerable time...

all the best with your recovery mate, and i wish all the strength in the world to you and your family...

wazza

[HOOD]

find me a expert who will tell us that one who suffers depression will suddenly wish to bring large scale attention to oneself . most would rather be loners,recluse,have no energy to do anything,let alone travelling the countryside harvesting game...never have i then or after thought of misrepersenting myself in any of my pursuits.



That is true to some degree, BUT what about the fact that no two people or the circumstances are the same. The above statment can go both ways though.
A person suffering depression can also try to bring attention to them selves in order to feel better about one's self especialy if that attention is in way of praise and acknowledgment of an achievement. So to make one's self feel good by recieving praise or acknkowledgment said person may result to fabricating details to achieve this.

JMHO

[Lucky Mick 23]

I have just read Simons explanation and although he cites the loss of his mother (which is very sad) and depression as the catalysts for his decission making, i still find it hard to make the connection. How does misrepresenting game you have taken help one come to terms with the lose of a loved one.

Life throws us all some very hard and disturbing lessons at one time or another in our lives, i no this only too well, but can anyone honestly say that whilst going through our own hellish times that you actually thought that by misrepresenting the game you have harvested would actually make your predicament any easier. I know some will say that everyone deals with thing differently, but having gone through some very dark times that possibly i will never fully recover from, i can say that misrepresenting yourself in any way is the furthest from ones mind.

IMO, Simon only came forward after being confronted by a certain individual about his indiscretions at a meeting that took place in the said persons study after Simon had shown the said person photos and told the story of the hunt. After which Simon firstly denied then ultimatly confirmed the allegations leveled toward him.

It is obvious that Simon has a few demons he has to deal with and for that reason i hope he makes a full recovery.
My thoughts are with his family.
Regards Mick.

[excelpoint]

I think its time to shut this thread down. Its doing more harm then good to another human being. So he told a few tall tales, get over it, Im sure he has lost enough already without be further humiliated by people that Im sure have used the term MATE, PAL, BUDDY etc when refering to Simon. To me thats just as bad. Let the bloke be and move on.

[GanG]

As a person with formal mental health qualifications (registered psych nurse) I have just a little difficulty accepting depression as a justification for what in crude terms amounts to telling lies to further ones own reputation.

Mental illness is a glib excuse trotted out far too frequently these days. I dont know Steeley and maybe I am being unkind saying this, but mental illness has a big enough stigma, and the legitimately unwell are often viewed with suspicion and unfair prejudice as a result of people pleading mental illness to excuse or justify actions or behaviours that in reality have little to do with illness.

Admittedly any opinion on the internet has questionable worth and I dont expect anyone to share mine............but I need more than has been offered to swallow this as anything more than a further embellishment on the previous fallacy.

[Shalee]

What is done is done. If a person apologises accept it and move on, you
will both end up better people.

[Willy_R]

Those that want to let it be, and Move on! Please do so! Those that don't please continue restoring the faith I once had in both bowhunters and humanity....

Simon please do bring this in from the cold tell us what happened and why, I can see how easy the temptation must have been, don't throw the game now.

I could not write in 50 years what you have in the last 2, hell I will admit I don't even read the Stories anymore (Anybodies) to me its a had to be there kinder thing.

The crown of thorns was placed atop your head by your once close friend Al Kidner.

I truly believe had this have not been exposed it would have continued, you should maybe thank those that did this for you, had it of continued on had you become attached or affiliated with some US Network or some such thing, or even a paid professional hunter.

The Words Dismissed, Fraud, Cancelled, Dishonest, Liar, would be the least of the troubles to face.

And I am not one of your friends so I can only imagine how Pissed off & hurt they must feel.

[Bowfly]

Im very disappointed Simon.This is not what we are about as bowhunters.I knew some guys that realy looked up to you. :cry:
Rod

[wazza_X force]

i think its fair enough that some people will be able to say well, fair enough, he lied, he put forward a couple of fony articles, no one got hurt, move on...

i also think that its fair enough that some others feel that Simon Steele needs to be punished for what he has done...

but the problem i have had is that people are viewing this 'bundle of lies' as somthing that is doing a disservice to bowhunting in general. if you mention the name Simon Steele around people who arent avid hunters, and they would say who in the blue hell is that? its not like its been popping up all over my internet and tv...

at the end of the day, the only thing that has really suffered are Steely and all of those who admired him... as far as im concerned, the morals of bowhunting cant ever be changed by an individual.

the selfish and attention seeking attitude shown by steely was sneaky and proved him to be a much smaller man than he appeared to be, but like i said, it mucks the system round a bit, but no one gets hurt. there are some people however, apart from those that know more than everyone else, that are just having a dig because the vast majority of US are doing it....

just remember, we arent a group of people, we are bowhunters, a group of people with a similiarity, just like siblings, think about it if he was your brother...

[Willy_R]

just remember, we arent a group of people, we are bowhunters, a group of people with a similiarity, just like siblings, think about it if he was your brother...


He should thank god he is not my brother then !

[Hunted]

OK has it been said enough yet!!!!!

Yeah Simon Steel made the biggest mistakes we could make in this sport. He has probably lost everything he has built up over the years he has been Bowhunting.

He has been exposed for what he has done. Let him do what he has to do to try and mend his needs. I dont care that he hasnt admitted guilt, We all know what he did, or didnt do, Let it be, let him beat his depression.

Publically here he faced the people who made him as popular as he was and we have the right to bring him back down again but I think it has been done already.

When will we stop the harrasment?

Josh

[rimfire]

When will we stop the harrasment?

Depends...how many yrs was the hero worship fraudulently accepted?

[Howling Dog]

Guys up to this point I have kept out of it with my opinion, I do not know Simon personally & have never met him, but as with a lot of Bowhunters on this other sites I feel I have built up camaraderie with some great people through threads, online chat & phone calls.
To me a lie is a lie big or small and when trust is broken thats it, this is how I was brought up & that is what my son is taught.
If Simon is ill I wish him a speedy recovery, although I think it has nothing to do with what has happened.
Ken

[ssga1]

Slightly off topic in regards to lies

How many people say "i do" and then break that "promise"? How many people on this forum haven't lied about something small, there are many times I have said i'll be home at 9 and be back at 10????? The ability to lie is one of the things that makes us different from animals..... :lol: I can though say I haven't made a promise that I haven't been able to keep, which s#@ts my family, esp my wife up the wall :roll:

A lot of people here on this forum seem quiet vindictive almost "old testement" style, I am not an overly relig. man but i sure know my signature on another forum means something....

A smart man once said:
FORGIVE AND FORGET
However a wise man knows:
TO REASON AND REMEMBER

SSGA

[Dave]

I have sat back and read all of the posts and watched as people sort themselves into the fore and against. I offer my sincere condolences to Simon on the passing of a loved one, this can be a heart wrenching time for anybody as we all know.

But...is this just another story...another smoke screen to throw off the hounds...most of the letter seemed to play on the heart strings and not so much on what has been done to Bowhunting by the actions of a man held so high by so many. I have my own thoughts on how long he has deceived those around him and only Simon will know the full truth. A man, when confronted, will only willingly admit to what he needs too and nothing more.

Is he a casualty of his own ego? Maybe...

Should he be condemned? Maybe...but to what end and what would it achieve.

As the good book says: "let he who is without sin, cast the first stone"

I guarantee that when the dust settles, Simon will be standing there with naught but a few bruises. Why...because there won't be too many here that could honestly participate...I know I couldn't. Granted, there are those here that feel betrayed to some degree by his actions and want to participate in some moralistic cleansing. What will that do to change your life and the way you go about things?...Nothing...You could look back and say " the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well, I helped bring a man to his knees" or...if it is true that Simon has depression, you could say " I kicked a man when he was down".

I do feel that Steely has chosen a path seldom traveled, and only he can now decide what sort of a man he is when he gets to the other end. If he has the "Black Dog" as his companion then I truly feel for him as I have also seen first hand what this can do to a person and those around them.

I have changed much in recent months since the birth of my son. I now have a legacy to bring a young child into this world and teach him the values that I hope will make him a strong, independent and trustworthy man, looked upon by his peers as an honest and upstanding person. What has happened here is just something that I can use as an example of what not to do. In the end a man is only as good as his word and if your word doesn't mean much, you will find life hard.

Dave.

[Wareagle]

Good one Dave.

[johnno]

I do feel that Steely has chosen a path seldom traveled, and only he can now decide what sort of a man he is when he gets to the other end. If he has the "Black Dog" as his companion then I truly feel for him as I have also seen first hand what this can do to a person and those around them.

I am sure that many of us relate to and can echo those sentiments. :D

Whilst I have never met Simon I did receive a PM from him that at the time I found spurious but as I now read this thread and the various postings, I see him painted in a different light.

I too have difficulty in accepting "depression" as the reason for his actions and in many instances it seems that "mental illness" or the tag of "diminished responsibility" is used merely as a patina to excuse questionable choices made.

I would however be more interested to know why he felt that he needed to embelish the events in order to gain self gratification. Mere ego, possibly, we may never know, or maybe there are other more deeper issues that need to be addressed.

One thing is certain, he is now wrestling with his demons and I hope he has good support mechanism from family and non judgemental friends. I also think its time to put down the bow and concentrate on getting well.

Good luck Simon.. :D

[ricochet]

Well Done Dave and Johnno, some good points in your posts


I guarantee that when the dust settles, Simon will be standing there with naught but a few bruises. Why...because there won't be too many here that could honestly participate...I know I couldn't. Granted, there are those here that feel betrayed to some degree by his actions and want to participate in some moralistic cleansing. What will that do to change your life and the way you go about things?...Nothing...You could look back and say " the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well, I helped bring a man to his knees" or...if it is true that Simon has depression, you could say " I kicked a man when he was down".





One thing is certain, he is now wrestling with his demons and I hope he has good support mechanism from family and non judgemental friends. I also think its time to put down the bow and concentrate on getting well.

Good luck Simon.. :D

[yarra01]

so i aussiehunter you think i need to give it a rest. Sorry mate but this thread has turned into a witch hunt. Cant you see that? your still asking this man to answer for himself if you have have such a problem with his actions then take it up with him in person not here. You are just high lighting him as a bad person the thing is he is not. He is a sad man who needs our support.

[aussiehunter]

yarra01

where have i said u need to give it a rest???

u along with puk and a few ask he who is without sin cast the first stone..

mate i and i know there is plenty of others are the same., i will cast the first stone and come to the plate..

i first started hunting with a bow when i was 16,i am now 42.

i will stand proudly that i have never wavered in my ethics and morals and will stand any test any one wants that i am a honest hunter.

yarra01 ,where have i once said he is a bad man?

we have proof of what he has done and he has admitted to that after being confronted.

i have then asked simple questions on further issues,polietly etc.

to which have not been answered..

this man so far publicly has admitted to nothing except write a very heartwarming letter,i will say he is an exceptional creative writer.

what i suggest yarra01 and quiet a few new bowhunters.you are privy to only a fewfacts that have been released. you know only of simon steel that you have read in magazines and forums.

you base all your information on what you have read,including his statement ,which admitted nothing except he has depression..[ yeah right,]..ive met the man....and so has many others..

read back the posts from ppl who know him including hunting partners.


this forum along with a few magazines is his stage ,is it so wrong to ask the man to answer some questions.

if u dont like it may i suggest u dont involve urself.

now ppl may ask why am i involved in this?


because myself along with many bowhunters who have been activly involved for over 15/20 years find this is the worse case we have ever known of.

and i will stand up for what i believe in, and that is the future and well being of bowhunting.

all i have asked along with others is to answer a few questions.

so simon we are waiting for ur response please

pat mcnamara

[GlennMac]

Pat I agree 100% in what you are saying!

[Jeffro]

I agree aswell ,how bout an explanation steely

At first i felt sorry for you and i still do but i also feel after reading everything involved I think an honest open admission of the facts is necessary now as it appears you were found out(caught).

You were not just coming forward openly about it through guilt.

If you had not been found out the charades would be still going on :!:

Please correct me if this is wrong

[wazza_X force]

ok Pat, fair enough, there are alot of us here, me included, that know only of Simon Steele of what we read on this forum and in magazines...

of the so called little that he has told us about this incident, just have a look at how many of us are dissapointed and angry because of what has happened. Simon's reputation and output amongst everyone that knows OF him has been ruined!!!!...

so i ask, if the damage has been done, WHY THROW FUEL INTO THE FIRE??? whats the point of trying to kill a dead cockoroach??? the vast majority of us have all already lost trust and faith in him, so whats the point of the further humiliation...

it seems to me that you are trying to get Simon to answer these quetions not for the understanding of us, but inspite of him...

just let him be... i mean, i agree that if i had depression, it wouldnt lead me to this, but how do i know?...but either way, theres something wrong with him, and i sure know that all of this "he's not telling the whole truth" thing wouldnt be helping a bit...

stop causing grief and argument for him and all of us...

[Willy_R]

Yup it's why we are here is it not ?

[steviebby]

for the record so some of us rookies can better understand what ethics has he broken? i think we all understand what we know he did was morally wrong. also did he make any sort of financial gane from these atrocities?

[ceejay]

After only being involved in bowhunting for a very short time.I like everyone else thought of this guy as a legend.A man of steel who could take game with any type of archery tackle he chose.I do not know the man personaly.But i did look up to him all i can say is i'm very dissapointed...

[aussiehunter]

wazza trykon,r u for real?

ive caused u grief by posting some of the truths

ive caused u grief,take a box of tissues and go to bed,im sure its pass ur bedtime...

pat...

[Howling Dog]

I have heard 2nd hand rumours for the last week & a half and didn't know what to make of it, Pat comes forward with some facts and asks some questions & he is the bad guy!
Sorry I am with Pat
Ken

[dean]

pat's questions on page1 are far more serious than i had imagined.
i dont see how simon can move foward with a recovery without a full explanation of the "misrepresented" hunts... to the 600 odd members of this site, to the readers of Bowhunting Downunder and Archery Action and most importantly to his hunting mates.

[yarra01]

Aussiehunter i didnt say that you referred to Simon as a bad man you didnt have to.

Its very clear to me how you feel about this matter but i believe that dragging his name through the mud is not going to resolve anything.

I respect the fact that you and many others who have bow hunted for so long could and can be upset with this man. But i really do think his reputation has been tarnished enough. You have told everyone here the facts that you know so people can make their own decision. But do you really think that people are going to see any different of him now? How can they, he did say that he had he behaved inappropriately on several different occasions. And you informed us of the things you knew now people are not stupid they know that what you said must be true so i think that this post should be over and no more should be said on this matter.

I really hope that my opinion has not been put forth out of context. This is just my opinion. I really dont think that any of this is going to help him.

[FentonW]

Pat,
I agree totally with you, the blokes that are affected by this are mainly the blokes who "know" the man and have sat through and been looked straight in the eye and now find out his stories are Bull****. If you do not know what is going on in full, wait until you do and then make comment.

ceejay,
Simon may have had financial gain from these events, cheaper bows because of high profile, being paid a sum of money for articles from magazines, cheap hunting trips for a return of stories in magazines and so forth. What I have just said is not a rumor or an accusation either, just simply somethings that are off the top of my head. If you sit down and think of the ramifications of this it is not as black and white as he has only done damage to himself.

wazza_trykon,
Simon has always been the first to tell of his tales of the hunt on this site, why not use the site to clarify things as well. Some people would like clarification as to what has been done, so as to not start rumors and so forth, also with clarification there may be a better understanding of why some of us are so angry over this subject. He will have to deal with these things himself. If wanting to know the truth is upsetting you then simply do not click the mouse on the subject.

I suspect admin will lock this subject very shortly, as Simon will not step up to the plate and dragging it on will do this site no good. However Simon if you choose not to use the same medium to set the facts as you have done to build your profile you will do the site a diservice.

Fenton Wooley.

[NormGunston]

Respectfully acknowledging points raised in previous posts on this thread, Simon also contributed selfless, useful information to the forum which was unrelated to any game taken posts (as have many other members). For example, I found the broadhead testing analysis, discussion and results particularly interesting and the responses both on the forum and through PMs he provided to my naive questions were much appreciated. Just another perspective.

[rinaldo]

I haven't been bowhunting all that long so I find it difficult to understand how Steely has somehow done any damage to bowhunting the only thing he has tarnished is his standing in our community. Can someone please shed some more light on how he has damaged bowhunting? I mean it sincerely.

[FentonW]

Just as a quick example, Most bowhunters gain access to a property as bowhunters and for that reason alone. We walk everywhere no chance of dogs lugging the wrong animal and so forth. Pat asked "3. claims from property owners that u shot two does for meat using a firearm, would these also be the two chital does you posed with using one of your trad bows" , if this happened and did not have permission to shoot them with a rifle how does this look for the next bowhunter trying to gain access? Cockies talk to each other and by letting us on their properties are doing us a favour, they do not need this type of thing "Not knowing if you are truely a bowhunter or not". There are ramifications for some of the actions. I do not know if that is or isn't the case with that situation, that is why Simon should step up.
Cheers, Fenton.

[Howling Dog]

I haven't been bowhunting all that long so I find it difficult to understand how Steely has somehow done any damage to bowhunting the only thing he has tarnished is his standing in our community. Can someone please shed some more light on how he has damaged bowhunting? I mean it sincerely.
Rinaldo I was contacted by a mate on Saturday night who is a member of the Australian Deer Association who is a rifle shooter only. The conversation was "tongue in cheek" but he asked me if thats how I shot all the Dogs/Dingoes that I have shot? He personally was very dissapointed at what has happened as he has the utmost respect for Bowhunters & their skills. As seen on this site the amount of discussion that has taken place will no doubt be repeated to a degree amongst shooters at Deer Association / Hunting Club meetings etc. The credibility of all Bowhunters yourself included has been damaged, eg A mate of mine who is a member of ABA, 3DAAA & the ADA and a well known Deerhunter will no doubt have a cloud of suspicion over his past & future claims through the ADA as the association is predominately Rifle shooters (a very small minority of rifle shooters doubt that we have the skill to get in close for that shot, judging us on their own skills, a close shot is with a 30-06 at 250yards for us that distance the game hasn't even started). Thats the way I see it Rinaldo, but I might be wrong
Cheers
Ken :D

[ssga1]

HD an others,

You might be taking this a little too seriously thinking that Steel is the first to have shot a "deer" with a rifle and claimed it as a bow kill?

What i do see in your post is some sort of elitist image that bowhunters are better than rifle shooters :evil: ???

An your mate from the ADA should be the last to cast light on your deeds, all pun intended as some of the deer in the ADA top fifty were legally taken at the time with regs that now make it illegal :oops:

I am not condoning his actions, I am however disappointed at the actions of some others......

SSGA

[aussiehunter]

ssga1, well mate of course they are,when was there any doubt.

:)

pat

[Howling Dog]

HD an others,

You might be taking this a little too seriously thinking that Steel is the first to have shot a "deer" with a rifle and claimed it as a bow kill?

What i do see in your post is some sort of elitist image that bowhunters are better than rifle shooters :evil: ???

An your mate from the ADA should be the last to cast light on your deeds, all pun intended as some of the deer in the ADA top fifty were legally taken at the time with regs that now make it illegal :oops:

I am not condoning his actions, I am however disappointed at the actions of some others......

SSGA
I am under no illusion that Simon was the first nor unfortunately will he be the last.
Elitist I will take that as a compliment. :wink: :D
Cheers
Ken :D

[boxhead]

WELL SAID FENTON,YOUR 100% RIGHT MATE ABOUT YOUR LAST TWO POST. :evil:
TONY LASKER.

[steviebby]

a very small minority of rifle shooters doubt that we have the skill to get in close for that shot, judging us on their own skills
that speaks for its self dosent it ?? im not into this to prove anything ,show off, or climb some sort of social status ladder as i said in an earlyer post this dose not effect my hunting or the possibilities hunting deer with a bow presents me. I never planned on shooting as many deer as steely was seen in mags with pics i dont care!! then again i can see how some people are P@#%ED off it could of been them in the magazine instead of that b@##sh@#T artist to them people i say get off the "ladder " i havent been bowhunting long but i didnt get into it for any other reason than to enjoy my hunting. i am

[steviebby]

fenton is rightI agree totally with you, the blokes that are affected by this are mainly the blokes who "know" the man and have sat through and been looked straight in the eye and now find out his stories are bulls@#$ you have his phone number ring him this is a public forum full of people wondering what the hell this has to do with them

[johnno]

Just as a quick example, Most bowhunters gain access to a property as bowhunters and for that reason alone.

IMO I think it is somewhat of a a broad call to suggest that the actions of Simon will hurt the reputation of bowhunters in general. In my experience when attempting to gain access to any property the first to be judged by the cocky is the person, their attitude and general demeanour.

What is abundantly clear, however, is that Simon has severely and possibly irrevocably tarnished his own reputation and his credibility. Thus his actions may well have far more daming personal ramifications for him and sadly possibly his family, than any condemning he can receive from the members of this forum or the bow hunting community.

In that regard, I fear Simon may have dug himself a hole from which he can never truly escape and I wish him luck. :D

[Management Team]

The Management Team of TBGA do not condone Simon's behaviour and have communicated this clearly to Simon. We have informed Simon that we believe his actions to be substantially disappointing and detrimental to the Bowhunting community and TBGA.

There have been various sectors of the Bowhunting community calling for TBGA to ban Simon from the forums. This will not be occurring as we do not see TBGA as any form of judge, jury or executioner in this matter. Additionally, should Simon at some time choose to provide answers to the questions posed in this thread, if banned he would have no ability to do so.

The Management Team have removed any posts containing stories authored or photos posted by Simon. Our discretion has been exercised however, and posts containing information which, if lost, would only serve to lessen the quality of the resource of TBGA, have been left.

As TBGA understands it, other relevant hunting organisations and associations are taking their own independent courses of action regarding this matter.

TBGA would like to hope that this entire incident serves a reminder to all bowhunters of the sacred nature of the very foundations of honour and integrity that is bowhunting and that without this our hunting is meaningless. We especially hope that the TBGA Junior bowhunters take on board all lessons that can be learned from this and do not allow it to discourage them in their future bowhunting pursuits.

Management request that there be no starting of new threads with the intent of discussing this issue and any correspondence with Simon be conducted via PM or email.

Thanks.

The Management Team.