How we portray hunting to non hunters.

[In God We Trust]

I just read read Ryan Hatfield's 1 page editorial on how we represent our sport in the eyes of non hunters through social media in his magazine. It is a great read for everyone that hunts. He reminds us to keep a civil tone and argue with facts not emotion (kind of like our long range threads on here!). Ryan explains it is easy to turn people off to hunting and turn them to the dark side (PETA). Just something to think about. If you get a chance you should read it.

 

[ssliger]

I just read read Ryan Hatfield's 1 page editorial on how we represent our sport in the eyes of non hunters through social media in his magazine. It is a great read for everyone that hunts. He reminds us to keep a civil tone and argue with facts not emotion (kind of like our long range threads on here!). Ryan explains it is easy to turn people off to hunting and turn them to the dark side (PETA). Just something to think about. If you get a chance you should read it.

I completely agree, it was a great write up!

 

[hardstalk]

I just read read Ryan Hatfield's 1 page editorial on how we represent our sport in the eyes of non hunters through social media in his magazine. It is a great read for everyone that hunts. He reminds us to keep a civil tone and argue with facts not emotion (kind of like our long range threads on here!). Ryan explains it is easy to turn people off to hunting and turn them to the dark side (PETA). Just something to think about. If you get a chance you should read it.

Kinda funny story, yesterday after work I went to a pub close to the house it was 114 degrees and my shirt was lined with salt rings. I was craving a frosty mug of coors light. When I walked in I sat in a corner with the intention of having a beer and headed home to work on the hunny do list. There was a tv that no one was watching so I politely asked the bartender to put on 604 (outdoor channel) while I relaxed for a moment. She changed the channel and half way thru my beer a guy sat next to me. He started watching the tv and off he went at the mouth. His tone went up and up and up. He started asking my opinion and he was rather offensive at my comments. He started getting loud with his point of view and I responded with " im not the type that needs to get my point across loudly to be heard. (He was inching closer and closer because I was basically whispering) I prefer to earn my meat you prefer to buy yours. Either way we enjoy cooking and eating it" he had a pause for a moment. Stated he needed to use the restroom and never returned. Most antis are just looking for something to believe in bigger than themselves. And most others just need to get a few more hobbies.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Very cool. I will try and read it when I can. I've always liked Ryan and think he is in the rite with his writings.

 

[Old Hunter]

Kinda funny story, yesterday after work I went to a pub close to the house it was 114 degrees and my shirt was lined with salt rings. I was craving a frosty mug of coors light. When I walked in I sat in a corner with the intention of having a beer and headed home to work on the hunny do list. There was a tv that no one was watching so I politely asked the bartender to put on 604 (outdoor channel) while I relaxed for a moment. She changed the channel and half way thru my beer a guy sat next to me. He started watching the tv and off he went at the mouth. His tone went up and up and up. He started asking my opinion and he was rather offensive at my comments. He started getting loud with his point of view and I responded with " im not the type that needs to get my point across loudly to be heard. (He was inching closer and closer because I was basically whispering) I prefer to earn my meat you prefer to buy yours. Either way we enjoy cooking and eating it" he had a pause for a moment. Stated he needed to use the restroom and never returned. Most antis are just looking for something to believe in bigger than themselves. And most others just need to get a few more hobbies.

What would you have said if he said he didn't eat meat? That's the line I usually get. Even if they are lying about it.

 

[hardstalk]

this guy stated in the beginning that "I love a good steak as much as the next guy". however my wife has a few female friends that swing that way. I'm always very open to it in my opinion you have 80-100 years max on earth spend it doing what you wanna do and as long as it doesn't effect me i'm all for it. they all enjoy shooting the bow when they come over and they enjoy the smell of the burgers ill cook but for some reason there not into meat.

 

[In God We Trust]

I was up shooting in the woods today and drove by a campsite littered with shotgun shells and broken bottles everywhere. That is the kind of crap the anti crowd uses to shut shooting and hunting down on public land. The dumb SOB's that left that crap there should loose their hunting privileges for 5 years and have their guns auctioned off for charity. I hate having to pick up after degenerate people giving our sport a black eye!

 

[Elkoholic307]

I read the article. It was well written but I certainly don't agree with all of it. Especially the political correctness part. I'm not going to change the way I talk just so I don't ruffle some bunny hugger's feathers.

 

[Old Hunter]

I don't think you'll change the minds of tree huggers, and they have all the fuel they need everytime an animal is killed while hunting.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I was up shooting in the woods today and drove by a campsite littered with shotgun shells and broken bottles everywhere. That is the kind of crap the anti crowd uses to shut shooting and hunting down on public land. The dumb SOB's that left that crap there should loose their hunting privileges for 5 years and have their guns auctioned off for charity. I hate having to pick up after degenerate people giving our sport a black eye!

Unfortunately this not an isolated case! There is a county road that accesses the NF right near my house and during/after hunting season is littered with trash thats thrown out of vehicles. Beer & soda cans mostly. Lots of the camps are left in a mess too.

Kudos for picking up the leavings. We are our own worst enemies.

 

[Elkoholic307]

I don't think you'll change the minds of tree huggers, and they have all the fuel they need everytime an animal is killed while hunting.

I'm not trying to change their minds. I couldn't care less about what they think.

 

[wapiti66]

We're not going to change their minds, and they're not going to change ours. CC- I know you said "after hunting season" but I know in areas I have hunted there are plenty of non hunters out there camping, and they too can be trashing the place. So, to our defense of their (huggers) arguments, it's easy to tell the huggers that just b/c there is trash in the ditch doesn't mean a hunter threw it, and perhaps it was one of their own kind that did it!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

We're not going to change their minds, and they're not going to change ours. CC- I know you said "after hunting season" but I know in areas I have hunted there are plenty of non hunters out there camping, and they too can be trashing the place. So, to our defense of their (huggers) arguments, it's easy to tell the huggers that just b/c there is trash in the ditch doesn't mean a hunter threw it, and perhaps it was one of their own kind that did it!

I drive the road a lot and I really notice the difference. Not very many non hunting campers, etc in late Oct/Nov. Our shooting club and the scouts do a cleanup after the season as long as there is not too much snow.

 

[JMSZ]

I read the article. It was well written but I certainly don't agree with all of it. Especially the political correctness part. I'm not going to change the way I talk just so I don't ruffle some bunny hugger's feathers.

This -

I'm not going to go out of my way to offend somebody and I'm willing to discuss my views with somebody, but if they don't agree with me, I will gladly agree to disagree and move on.

That said, it's a two-way street and I expect the same respect and consideration from the other side.

The problem is that the anti-hunting/anti-gun/anti(insert evil here) crowd believe that they are not only entitled to speak their mind, but that they are also entitled to force their views and laws on everyone else without any opposition.

Anyone who does voice any opposition does so under threat of being called everything from a (insert innocent target here)-hater to being accused of any number of bad thoughts and inclincations.

Acquiescing to their demands only allows them to win the argument by allowing them to simply stifle any opposing opinions - which is what they want.

 

[Old Hunter]

I'm not trying to change their minds. I couldn't care less about what they think.

I was talking to the thread in general. I usually quote someone when i'm talking to them.

 

[Mark]

I LOVE to have this discussion with my non hunting and usually left wing friends. My personal experience has been positive when I frame my replies around the following guidelines.

1) Hunters provide a service to all wildlife by helping to manage the carrying capacity of a specific unit, therefore enhancing the habitat for other animals and plants.
2) Hunting is heavily regulated to ensure a safe and legal harvest
3) The animals we take are humanely killed AND they are the ultimate FREE RANGE, GRASS FED, ORGANIC meat possible. The animal "Had a good life." That part always gets em!

I find many are at a loss when #3 comes up because they are spending big $$$ to buy the same meat at Whole Foods because the animal was raised humanely and it's preservative/hormone free.

Just my .02 worth.

 

[In God We Trust]

I have had a vegetarian at work express his interest in hunting. He said he doesn't eat meat because he doesn't like feed lots and the stuff that comes with slaughterhouses but he would eat something he was able to kill that was free ranging. Mark you are right, the whole free range deal seems to be the new fad. As far as political correctness goes I can't stand it, but we can present our case without the old it's my right and screw you if you don't like it. It is only our RIGHT as long as the public supports it. Once public support goes away all of the laws that restrict and finally end hunting start to take hold.

 

[Mark]

You speak the truth In God We Trust.....rights, regardless of what they are, are being eroded at a lightning fast pace. I pray hunting isn't next.

Gaining support is all in how you frame the argument...er....discussion.

 

[JMSZ]

I have had a vegetarian at work express his interest in hunting. He said he doesn't eat meat because he doesn't like feed lots and the stuff that comes with slaughterhouses but he would eat something he was able to kill that was free ranging. Mark you are right, the whole free range deal seems to be the new fad. As far as political correctness goes I can't stand it, but we can present our case without the old it's my right and screw you if you don't like it. It is only our RIGHT as long as the public supports it. Once public support goes away all of the laws that restrict and finally end hunting start to take hold.

IMO, that sentiment is just wrong because it is the idea that your life and liberty are dependent on the whim of the mob.

This country was founded on the basis of the rule of law - deliberate and logical debate and negotiation between the various parties that results in laws that obtain the desired goal while minimizing the infringment on personal liberty.

This country is rapidly sliding into a dictatorship of the mob - the mob demands something, the mob can change its demands whenever it wants, there is no compromising on the demands of the mob and all must comply with the demands of the mob.

The antis that push this stuff are experts at organizing and mobilizing mobs because they know that it's the only way they can get their ideas turned into laws - we use logic and reason - individuals listen to logic and reason - mobs don't.

 

[25contender]

I always keep a civil tongue but do refuse to be politically correct because someone doesn't care for hunting. There thoughts are theirs and my thoughts are mine. I am not breaking the law when I hunt or fish yet many that are against hunting do break the laws imposing there own brand of morality. As mentioned above if the mob can get a grip we will loose in the end. I have always been one to stand my ground in a civil way when it comes to my rights but I wont back down........Mark