Phantom -
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(when considering all the ages of Middle Earth however I'd definitely pick Beleg)
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I would be more likely to agree with you Phantom if there was a more objective source for the much used quote:
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"for the skill of Beleg was greater than any that have been in Middle-earth."
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This comes from the Silmarillion, and as we all know that that was predominantly written from Elvish sources. The
Narn I Hin Húrin however is accredited to a mannish poet named Dỉrhavel who lived at the Havens of Sirion in the days of Eärendil, and on p.73 of UT, he says of Beleg:
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...he was the greatest woodsman of those days.
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This is still a great compliment to Beleg and his woodcraft, its just not as sweepingly conclusive as the first Elvish sourced statement found in the Silmarillion.
Rangers vs Elves, Aragorn vs Beleg, they were probably as great as each other and equally matched to a point.
Gwaihir made an interesting claim earlier on this thread-
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there are the different ways in which a Man or an Elf will see the earth. I believe these would be a factor when it came to reading it. An Elf constantly admires the Earth, while a human can more easily read it objectively
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That ability to be dispassionate about natural habitats coupled with learning tracking the hard way (without a reliance on enhanced senses) leads me to believe that maybe the Rangers just edge it over the Elves, especially throughout the 3rd Age, though perhaps only Aragorn ever actually equalled or surpassed Beleg Cúthalion.