Hunting Misconceptions and Ethics

[texjitter]

Helping a friend of mine gather research for a new brand that will aim to bring positive insights to non-hunters about the effects we as hunters have on the environment. Their goal is help remove the stigma that all hunting is for trophies, that it is cruel, and that hunters are generally unsportsmanlike.

-The first topic they want to discuss is common misconceptions about hunting...what have you personally encountered from non-hunters who may have made negative or naïve comments to you while on a hunt or after posting about hunting on social media?

**Any and all replies are welcome! Future discussions related to the brand will focus on hunting wild game for meat, for conservation, etc

 

[sndmn11]

That it is easy and there are too many animals everywhere.

 

[Oregonboy]

A lot of the non-hunters I encounter say they don't mind hunting, but don't like "Trophy hunting" yet few can define the term.

 

[mtnkid85]

The idea that "trophy" hunting is somehow bad.
I consider myself a trophy hunter. I borderline obsess about antlers and horns, I have passed on smaller younger animals to later take older larger animals, Ive eaten tags from not finding a "big enough" animal to put it on, I go into ridiculous places to kill animals when animals of the same species could be accessed in much easier ways, hunting is so much more to me than simply a way to get meat. etc etc I also feed my family with only wild game, believe personal ethics and style is THE most important aspect of anything in life, would never consider buying or poaching an animal.

So we as hunters need to quit demonizing the word "trophy".

 

[Bubblehide]

Yep, trophy hunting animals at the end of their life-cycle somehow being a bad thing.

 

[UpNorth89]

It seems that most non-hunters that don't like "trophy hunting" assume that only the horns or antlers get brought and the meat doesn't get used.

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[Marble]

What I hear the most is people beleive hunters drive around in their trucks, drinking beer and throwing them out the window. They then shoot whatever they see and take a picture. No mention of meat, more of hunter behavior and their distaste for it.

People do not understand what a trophy is or what trophy hunting is.

They do not see the process of turning an animal into table fare.

Certain animals are cute and should not be hunted.

Hunters don't care about the animals.

Why hunt predators if you are not going to eat it?

Is cruel to shoot an animal. This means they do not understand nature and what happens to animals and the circle of life.

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[Lelder]

I have brought venison chili, elk sticks and wild game summer sausage to my work and shared it with anti-hunters or those against it and explain to them how it was ethically harvested and how I enjoy eating the truest free range meat that there is. I also have ZERO social media people show me so many hunters acting like total idiots in the field, after kills that I’m left with saying “I agree that is wrong, but I don’t conduct myself like that”. I am truly shocked some times but how STUPID a hunter can act. Posting videos of maimed animals or gut shot videos, they should be ashamed i know or hope they are the minority but it makes all us look like jackasses. I commend your buddies for taking on the subject but I think they have an uphill battle ahead of them

 

[NorCal Mixed bag]

Most negative feedback I get about hunting revolves around the actual killing, or taking of any animal’s life….even if the commenter readily eats meat, and has closets full of leather goods and other animal byproducts. Vegetarians are harder to enlighten. When asked, I try to emphasize how hard we work as sportsmen/women practicing tirelessly with our chosen weapons to be as immediately lethal as possible. I also tend to highlight the idea that most of the wildlife we hunt lives a life in the wild, as evolution and nature intended, exhibiting all the behaviors that come natural to their species; and when we harvest them to sustain ourselves and families, they only experience a few moments of pain if we do our part correctly. Natural predation can be much more “cruel” by comparison. Also, I try explain how the ethics of fair chase play such an important role for most in the hunting community. I’ve had a great many successes with such conversations, and even made a few converts - especially after plying them with a few venison jalapeño cheddar sticks!

 

[gabenzeke]

Fur. It's natural and renewable. People need to wear fur.

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[roadrunner]

Most non-hunters I encounter are indifferent.

The others need to spend less time being worried about what others do...

 

[HighUintas]

The most common I've ran into is they don't think it tastes good so we must be doing it just to kill/for sport.

They consider it a sport. It's not a f$-+ng sport you idiots

 

[Marble]

The most common I've ran into is they don't think it tastes good so we must be doing it just to kill/for sport.

They consider it a sport. It's not a f$-+ng sport you idiots

I get this a lot. Until I serve someone something and they raise their eye brows and say, " This is XYZ?"

Preparation before, during and after harvest, especially when preparing it for the table, all make a difference.

I beleive a lot of hunters do not prepare their meat correctly when packaging and also cook it poorly.

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[HighUintas]

I get this a lot. Until I serve someone something and they raise their eye brows and say, " This is XYZ?"

Preparation before, during and after harvest, especially when preparing it for the table, all make a difference.

I beleive a lot of hunters do not prepare their meat correctly when packaging and also cook it poorly.

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I've always liked it.... But after I learned proper care and started processing it myself.... Holy moly

 

[CoStick]

A great way to connect with others is to except behaviors they might have that you are uncomfortable with. Hard to expect others to embrace yours if you take issue with theirs.

 

[Deadfall]

Th

The idea that "trophy" hunting is somehow bad.
I consider myself a trophy hunter. I borderline obsess about antlers and horns, I have passed on smaller younger animals to later take older larger animals, Ive eaten tags from not finding a "big enough" animal to put it on, I go into ridiculous places to kill animals when animals of the same species could be accessed in much easier ways, hunting is so much more to me than simply a way to get meat. etc etc I also feed my family with only wild game, believe personal ethics and style is THE most important aspect of anything in life, would never consider buying or poaching an animal.

So we as hunters need to quit demonizing the word "trophy".

This...AMEN, HALLELUJAH, PRAISE TO BUDHA....nail on the head bud...

 

[Deadfall]

I

Th

This...AMEN, HALLELUJAH, PRAISE TO BUDHA....nail on the head bud...

Would add. Hunting old mature animals on their turf is an exceptionally humbling experience. Which, especially in today's world tgere is no such thing as too much humility

 

[MattB]

The idea that "trophy" hunting is somehow bad.
I consider myself a trophy hunter. I borderline obsess about antlers and horns, I have passed on smaller younger animals to later take older larger animals, Ive eaten tags from not finding a "big enough" animal to put it on, I go into ridiculous places to kill animals when animals of the same species could be accessed in much easier ways, hunting is so much more to me than simply a way to get meat. etc etc I also feed my family with only wild game, believe personal ethics and style is THE most important aspect of anything in life, would never consider buying or poaching an animal.

So we as hunters need to quit demonizing the word "trophy".

Non-hunters often believe trophy hunting involves killing an animal, cutting off its head, and leaving the rest to rot. Simply pointing out that is not only illegal in the majority of states, but that the vast majority of hunters frown on that as well goes a long way in my experience.

This is one of those things the media has bred and we unfortunately need to correct.

 

[Wellsdw]

A younger guy called me the other day about tracking a deer for him. (Terrible shot decision, execution, bow set up, and didn’t wait before tracking) all against him. Actually said during our talk “shoot, a
Deer with a 2 and a half inch broadhead that he didnt think it mattered where you hit them……. I would have attempted the track but was unavailable. The deer was in a heavily trafficked area, and I explained to the guy that if he found the spoiled deer, which was unlikely, do not just cut his head off as someone would likely come across it. This guy didn’t care one bit.

that being said there is little hope for this guy, but attempting to educate people like him on his actions will greatly improve people perception of hunting

 

[Rich M]

Noble cause - best wishes in your endeavor.

Few thoughts.

Folks listen to their feelings. We had bear hunting shelved due to a large outpouring of anti-bear hunt people. They see yogie, boo-boo, teddy, smokey when they see bears and could care less about the habitat, over population, and encroachment into subdivisions (which were the bear's land before people built there - bad people!).

The challenge will be to get people to listen with an open mind. Most folks listen with intent to prove you wrong and not absorb anything you say.

You get maybe 30 seconds to make an impression as a reasonable guy and not some smart ass trying to tell them how to think.

I gave up trying to discuss reasons for hunting or converting someone to hunting a long time ago.

You need to make the encounters they have with hunters positive. And since we know that everyone in camo is a hunter, all those experiences need to be positive. That offensive dead deer in the pickup truck, the big obnoxious guy who said something to your 8 yr old at the quickie mart, the guns in the truck window that scare you, etc.

I don't wear camo cause don't want to be associated with those that do. I started a duck hunting organization between 1999 and 2000 and it is still going. Have a pulse of the local hunters and most just want to do their thing, stay apart from any groups and such. Other guys like the social aspect. The social ones are your target group.

Good luck.