No wonder we lose our rights

[Eastonsgrandpa]

A recently locked thread showed the exact reason we can't seem to get ahead. We are supposed to be a united front but instead we cannibalize our own. We trash each other for the choice of camo. If someone drives a mountain road or hikes fifty miles. We hammer guys showing their forky, or worry about using mechanical vs. fixed heads. The guy with the 6.5cm just has to be a man bun wearing beta, right? The guy that hunts private as opposed to public. It's all just food for those who hate what we do.

All I see in all of these things is the furthering of division between sportsmen. Tribalism is rampant. If we were to get every single hunter/fisherman, etc. together and on the same page, we would still be a minority in this country and financially short to the corporations that donate to our opponents.

I don't pretend to know what the answer is, but we have got to start seeing everyone else on the mountain as a brother/sister and not look down on their weapon of choice or how they find their joy there.

I can only do that for me. I personally don't care what you carry, wear, or where you go and how you get there. Compound, flintlock, 400 grain bullets, .223, recurve, spear, or even the dreaded X-bow. May not be for me, but you are welcome at my fire and hopefully next to me at the voting booth to protect each others rights.

 

[CorbLand]

Eh, guess I dont really see us as that divided. Simply because some dont agree with crossbows in archery season, scopes on muzzleloaders, trail cameras, etc. doesnt mean they are antihunting or that we are divided. Hunters have shown that when we need to stand against out right attacks on hunting, we can do it.

One thing to remember, the only reason we have hunting to this day is because people stood for change and self regulation. I dont think they were very popular at that time and I wonder how many people said the same things that are being said today.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

Eh, guess I dont really see us as that divided. Simply because some dont agree with crossbows in archery season, scopes on muzzleloaders, trail cameras, etc. doesnt mean they antihunting or that we are divided. Hunters have shown that when we need to stand for out right attacks on hunting, we can do it.

One thing to remember, the only reason we have hunting to this day is because people stood for change and self regulation. I dont think they were very popular at that time and I wonder how many people said the same things that are being said today.

I hope you are right, but the things I see being said to and about others who do it differently tells me a different story. That thread was only one example. I've seen some of the nastiest comments posted by hunters to other hunters about everything from clothing choice to weapons. Or the occasional attack on parenting because of the way they had their child enter into the field and take their first animal. The lion thing gave me hope, but we will see because they are certainly not done coming after us.

Maybe it's just a few vocal minorities and I hope that's the case. But if someone attacks me, my interest in helping that person retain their rights might just be tainted.

 

[Scoot]

I totally agree with Corb. As I mentioned in the other thread, I don't believe xbows belong in archery season. That doesn't mean I have a problem with xbows or with the people who shoot them.

 

[Marble]

I think a lot of the problems here are not unique to us. It is difficult to really understand everyone's point of view and tone when communicating only through written words. That's not all of it. But I think a big influence.

Having a less intimate interaction also pushes people to be a little more brazen in their response.

Sometimes people are just flat rude because someone disagrees with them. I've made comments here before about this, but what can you do?

I like seeing and taking part in some of the debates, but often times I stay out of it because I can see people getting fired up and I've dealt with enough of that in my life.

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[Eastonsgrandpa]

I totally agree with Corb. As I mentioned in the other thread, I don't believe xbows belong in archery season. That doesn't mean I have a problem with xbows or with the people who shoot them.

My post is not toward any specific individual or situation. The thread was just the catalyst to putting my thoughts down in writing.


And it's definitely not just hunting. If you want to see people eat each other, check out fly fishing forums. I pretty much fly fish exclusively and have for a couple decades. I just don't enjoy spin, bait, etc. unless I'm taking the kids. But man, the infighting in fishing is insane. And if someone dares to keep a trout? Ukraine and Russia would cower at those fights.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I think a lot of the problems here are not unique to us. It is difficult to really understand everyone's point of view and tone when communicating only through written words. That's not all of it. But I think a big influence.

Having a less intimate interaction also pushes people to be a little more brazen in their response.

Sometimes people are just flat rude because someone disagrees with them. I've made comments here before about this, but what can you do?

I like seeing and taking part in some of the debates, but often times I stay out of it because I can see people getting fired up and I've dealt with enough of that in my life.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

Absolutely. Debate is healthy and necessary, when done with respect. But you are right in that the anonymity of the internet has created a lot of very brazen people who would never say those things in person. Now if we could get D.C. to have honorable debate with the idea of finding a solution, we would all benefit.

 

[Wrench]

I shoot longbows to 2 mile rigs. I really don't care how you do it. If I want to be effective I will. If I want to be challenged....I will.

What REALLY hurts us is social. People used to have their ideas on how our game is played.....now everyone shows the world.....and 4 digit kill shots that show the final moments of life sure dont help.

 

[Marble]

Absolutely. Debate is healthy and necessary, when done with respect. But you are right in that the anonymity of the internet has created a lot of very brazen people who would never say those things in person. Now if we could get D.C. to have honorable debate with the idea of finding a solution, we would all benefit.

Man, wouldn't that be nice!!

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[robby denning]

A recently locked thread showed the exact reason we can't seem to get ahead. We are supposed to be a united front but instead we cannibalize our own. We trash each other for the choice of camo. If someone drives a mountain road or hikes fifty miles. We hammer guys showing their forky, or worry about using mechanical vs. fixed heads. The guy with the 6.5cm just has to be a man bun wearing beta, right? The guy that hunts private as opposed to public. It's all just food for those who hate what we do.

All I see in all of these things is the furthering of division between sportsmen. Tribalism is rampant. If we were to get every single hunter/fisherman, etc. together and on the same page, we would still be a minority in this country and financially short to the corporations that donate to our opponents.

I don't pretend to know what the answer is, but we have got to start seeing everyone else on the mountain as a brother/sister and not look down on their weapon of choice or how they find their joy there.

I can only do that for me. I personally don't care what you carry, wear, or where you go and how you get there. Compound, flintlock, 400 grain bullets, .223, recurve, spear, or even the dreaded X-bow. May not be for me, but you are welcome at my fire and hopefully next to me at the voting booth to protect each others rights.

I only know the thread got locked because of name calling, not necessarily the subject covered.

 

[COelk89]

Hunters in general are our own worst enemy but that is driven more by external optics and social media, not internal infighting IMO. Things on the edge ethically may have happened decades ago, but they were rarely if ever filmed and did not go "viral."

We are a small, passionate, minority constituency of the total population that spans the political spectrum. Overall I think there is far more that we agree on that is just taken for granted. One example is the North American Model of funding and managing conservation of wildlife. The only time that comes up for discussion is really when it is under attack from some ballot initiative or another. Other than that we don't really discuss it, because it is already common ground. Arguing about calibers or shot placement or equipment etc. is just semantics and in general, unless truly trying to learn, is probably a waste of time!

 

[signing off]

As if we are herd animals ourselves, the antis find a way to pick at us one by one. We have not developed the techniques to protect all angles.
State local and federal levels, courtroom issues and even HOA level we are being attacked.
Adding 10-20 minutes a month to being involved would be the concrete, tangible way to show solidarity. Sure sounds miserable compared to a few extra minutes in wild area enjoying nature but would pay dividends.