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something I received by email...Why Hunters and the Hunting Industry Should WorryBy Ace LucianoHunters and the Hunting Industry should be worried… Really, really worried.We, as an industry, are in a state of decline that, while there are some things to be excited about, there are many more reasons for concern.My grandchildren may not hunt. Not because they won’t desire to or be “against” it (although that is of increasing concern), but because we, as hunters can’t seem to “get our act together” and stop fighting.Concern Number 1: HOLLYWOOD AND MONEY Recently, Leonardo DiCaprio et.al held a fundraiser for endangered tigers.Nobody argues that tigers are endangered and that there is a need for their preservation. Also, nobody argues that raising money to help save tigers is bad.What’s concerning is how and how much money was raised. $25 MILLION in one evening. That’s right.More than most groups on the hunting side raise in YEARS. What happens when they decide to go after Elephant Hunting? Lion? Mountain Lion?What happens when they pool their funds to buy huge swaths of land here and abroad, or lobby against hunting? If you thing the closure of hunting in Botswana and Zambia had nothing to do with money, you need to wake up. Africa and its various corrupt governments are easily bought for what most would consider paltry sums. Then the government thugs in power have free reign to poach and sell the animals that remain.They will happily take Leo’s money, and then take the poacher’s money as well… and remember, there has been NO LEGAL TROPHY HUNTING IN KENYA SINCE THE 70′s…Concern Number 2: ANTI HUNTER MOBILIZATIONRecently, as part of a little “social experiment,” I published an article with a very “Attention-Drawing” headline: “Hi, My Name is Ace, And I Kill Animals.” What was the experiment? I wanted to prove that anti-hunters, while passionate about their cause, would largely ignore me because, after all, I was a white, Christian male that hunted and not a young, attractive female. While I was 100% correct, there were several things I noticed that are of “concern.” I actually had to go after some of the groups with some “strategic” posts and messages before they “found” me, and find me they did. For the most part, these people are ignorant, rude, crude, vulgar, and quite violent in nature for a group that professes to be so “compassionate” about animals. I was threatened, called vile names (it appears that there is quite a fondness “across the pond” for the pejorative term for female genitalia) and ridiculed on my Facebook page. One said he wanted to “fight me” (a very amusing thought, as it came from a 130 lb. pot and paraphernalia store owner…people- we can see WHO YOU ARE, REMEMBER???) It was also very good for my post reach and rankings.However… The coordination and absolute unification in their message and drive to end all hunting should be of concern.Concern Number 3: HUNTER VS. HUNTERIt is looking more and more like I will not hunt a lion or elephant in my lifetime. Regardless of what you think, that in and of itself is a disappointment to me. I was fortunate to sit in on a press meeting that addressed the violent attacks on several outdoor personalities as well as the loss of television show venues and sponsors. Everything that was said in that meeting was true, and it was appalling at some of the treatment that these people received.Even more appalling was the LACK OF SUPPORT THEY RECEIVED FROM OUR SIDE.What do I mean? Here are some quotes from discussions that I found:From a waterfowl forum- “I hunt, but I would never shoot a lion or an elephant. Shame on them for doing that. ” From Facebook- “I’m a ‘meat hunter’ and believe that you should eat everything that you harvest. People that go to Africa and just kill a bunch of stuff to prove their manhood disgust me.” “She’s not a ‘Hunter’ anyway- just a spoiled rich girl that daddy sent on some expensive trip.” – From a LinkedIn Group.This should concern all of us. You know what? I’m happy that girl’s father is so successful that he can spend $150K on hunting for his daughter. Success should be celebrated, not castigated. Think how many jobs his money provides. Think how many people were FED as a result of that safari! I say GOOD FOR THEM.…But I am in the minority, and that’s a BIG PROBLEM. While we fight, argue and spit at one another about baiting, leases, bow vs. gun, trapping, hunting with dogs, hunting in enclosures, trophy vs. meat hunting, television celebrities, women, etc., the “other side” is ABSOLUTELY UNIFIED in their ONE MISSION……To STOP ALL HUNTING.and if you’re NOT worried, you SHOULD be.
I hunt, but I don't bait I'd never do that we should outlaw itI hunt, but I'd never archery hunt it wounds too many animals I'd support a ban on archeryI hunt, but I only shoot animals within 2-300 yards no one should shoot anything further than thatI hunt, but I only use primitive weapons anything modern isn't really huntingPlenty of what this article refers to right here on HW
Quote from: KFhunter on December 14, 2014, 05:56:47 PMI hunt, but I don't bait I'd never do that we should outlaw itI hunt, but I'd never archery hunt it wounds too many animals I'd support a ban on archeryI hunt, but I only shoot animals within 2-300 yards no one should shoot anything further than thatI hunt, but I only use primitive weapons anything modern isn't really huntingPlenty of what this article refers to right here on HWI haven't heard any one on here call for a ban on archery hunting, or a ban on shots over 300 yards.
The article is flawed in some aspects. Anti-hunters are no more organized or cohesive in their efforts than hunters are in stopping them or promoting all aspects of our sport. On the last point, I think it is important for hunters to become knowledgeable about aspects of hunting they are not familiar with before making comments out of ignorance. However, I believe there are tons of issues that hunters need to self-police on...especially when it comes to technology, methods, and techniques. If the primary justification for maintaining specific technology, methods, or techniques is "hunters shouldn't argue with other hunters"...BAN IT!! There are a lot of things to be concerned about when it comes to the future of hunting: Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the organizational structure of anti-hunters are not what should keep hunters up at night...access and habitat issues...
