Opinion On New Hunters

[chasing_animals]

Do you guys think that having more or less hunters would be better for Western hunting in the long run? We are all feeling the pressure of tags getting harder to get while also feeling like hunting is being looked at less favorably by the public officials. What are yall's thoughts on new hunters and the impact that they have?

 

[CorbLand]

You would have to set what defines “better” for this to be answered.

 

[glock233]

There’s an equilibrium. Tag availability and hunting experience would be better at around 50-75% of the current levels.

In terms of revenue, conservation, and public support, the more the merrier.

 

[Macintosh]

It's a bit of a double-edged sword. Would you rather have a continuously-shrinking portion of the population with a connection to hunting (financially, politically, etc), even more so than we currently have--OR would you rather have more hunters on the landscape? Pick one, afaict those are the only two options unless we stop growing our population.

 

[tipsntails7]

new hunters are not the problem. New internet influencer dime a dozen hunters are the problem. And we have not added enough new hunter numbers or votes to offset the damage that’s brought with it.

The internet has done more damage to hunting than anything ever will. Every swinging dick with a cell phone videos or take photos of their stuff it seems. Either doing unethical shit, glorifying killing in a less than appealing way, burning spots, or just general profiteering off hunting and the hunting community at large while doing almost nothing to be a net positive, to hunters, hunter education, conservation or the general perception non hunters have.

Add to that tag applications sites, hunting spot burning magazines, and the general commercialization of hunting overall has brought us to where we are now.

People have forgot why we hunt, or at least why I do, and what it’s about.

I wish hunting would become less popular among “hunters” then maybe we wouldn't have the glaring spotlight of public perception directly shined on individuals that don’t really represent us.

 

[307]

It would be wise to put effort and attention into increasing Eastern US hunting. If the status raises, the attention, $, and boots will follow.

This is where we need the influencers to influence.

By population, there's far more availability, at a far more accessible price, for a larger number of people east of the Mississippi river.

MEHGA!

Maybe instagram models in tree stands would be a place to start...

 

[bighornbor]

I started hunting 4 years ago, I've had old hunters walk past my truck then between a bugling bull and I, bull spooked. Had old hunters lie to my face about an animal not being legal then chase after it when I left. Had old hunters mess with my trail cameras. Seen old hunters try to get a native friend let them shoot cow moose. Seen old hunters trespassing. Seen old hunters leave messy camps.
If a new hunter proceeds ethically, courteously, and respects the environment is he really worse for the sport than the "old hunters"?

 

[Jimmy]

More hunters is always better. We need the public votes and support.

Might be more tags to go around if there wasn't so many hunters applying in 3-7 states. Probably not a popular thing to say, but is it true? It doesn't feel like we have a lot more hunters than when tags were easier to draw. I know some tags numbers are cut, but we have had a real boom in hunting out of state.