Hikers: Stop Hating on Hunters

[Special T]

https://www.outsideonline.com/2354196/conservation-outdoor-industry-hunters?fbclid=IwAR0kmU41tAMC074wujLC7nQE8sCdP0gKbprAKA5FNs2tgbTRGYp7hv1Q2yo

As usual Rinella writes an impressive article. Im a big advocate for those whom emphasis voice for those that pay the bills and have skin in the game.

Perhaps i dont run in these circles so im unaware, but i dont see the hate for consumptive users that he references in his article out side of them reducing sportsmen opportunities. Im unbothered by Mountain bikers, hikers, bird watchers, campers, mountaineers and rock climbers. I would would bet that many of us have or do participate in these activities as well. Aside from verbal pejoratives like leave lickers and bunny huggers when they attack our opportunities, what  have sportsmen groups done to reduce non consumptive users opportunity? I cannot think of any...

Your thoughts?

[cbond3318]

I think that is a great article written by a man that understands the need for bringing together all users for the betterment of the land and wildlife we ALL love, regardless of political party, opinions on Wolves, Grizzlies, methods of take , support of hunting or the lack thereof, the differences go on and on. I also think if the take away is a “what have we done to them” attitude, the point has been missed, sharply. 

[pianoman9701]

I have a great deal of respect for Rinella, even though he borders on the sanctimonious from time to time. He's a good ambassador for our hunting heritage. I'll also not soon forget the marketing package he sent for the auction after Aaron died. He didn't even hesitate. He's a good human. 

[chiwawadan]

I have a great deal of respect for Rinella, even though he borders on the sanctimonious from time to time. He's a good ambassador for our hunting heritage. I'll also not soon forget the marketing package he sent for the auction after Aaron died. He didn't even hesitate. He's a good human. 

I enjoy listening to his podcast, watching his show, and I own both his hunting guidebooks. Having said that, I think it's safe to say he jumps that sanctimonious border fairly regularly.

Interesting article.

[Special T]

I think that is a great article written by a man that understands the need for bringing together all users for the betterment of the land and wildlife we ALL love, regardless of political party, opinions on Wolves, Grizzlies, methods of take , support of hunting or the lack thereof, the differences go on and on. I also think if the take away is a “what have we done to them” attitude, the point has been missed, sharply. 

Let me make some clarifying points.  First off this letter isnt really written for hunters, its written for hikers. Outside isnt a hunting magazine. Secondly I think it was a great article and it reinforces what a great ambassador he is. Thirdly It wasnt my take away it was an honest question.  Im only aware of nonconsumptive users making waves for hunters. If you know of the reverse i actually wanted to know.

[Jpmiller]

I'm oftentimes amazed at the philosophical differences of people I know who are avid hikers and climbers and how they view the landscape. I get alot more hostility from this crowd in civilization than in the woods 

Other than this summer when I had a gal and her husband scream "I can see you" while glassing about 50 yards up off a trail in goat rocks I've never had a bad experience with other user groups in the woods and I'm still not certain what there motives were and if it had anything to do with my rifle and pack  I do wish they'd vote their passions and support it financially though.

[cbond3318]

I think that is a great article written by a man that understands the need for bringing together all users for the betterment of the land and wildlife we ALL love, regardless of political party, opinions on Wolves, Grizzlies, methods of take , support of hunting or the lack thereof, the differences go on and on. I also think if the take away is a “what have we done to them” attitude, the point has been missed, sharply. 

Let me make some clarifying points.  First off this letter isnt really written for hunters, its written for hikers. Outside isnt a hunting magazine. Secondly I think it was a great article and it reinforces what a great ambassador he is. Thirdly It wasnt my take away it was an honest question.  Im only aware of nonconsumptive users making waves for hunters. If you know of the reverse i actually wanted to know.

I apologize Special T for interpreting that as your take away. The only things that come to mind are small, localized pushes for limiting access to ATV’s or OHV’s,  shutting  down access to hikers during an active hunting season and support for a “backpack tax”. It’s a blurry line though because as you stated, the typical sportsman often cross recreates whereas not every hiker hunts. I don’t think any example of just Sportsmen making waves for Non consumptive users is common because we as strictly sportsmen don’t have the numbers. To the point of the article, it is paramount we continue to be conscious of our image, conduct and willingness to work with all groups because frankly, we need them.  The few articles I’ve gleaned from Outside have given me the impression they have a level headed position on the line between Sportsmen and non consumptive users.

[Alchase]

My son and I stopped at the Mazama store a few years back. There were four hikers doing the PCT waiting for their ride back up Hearts Pass. We came in bought some munchies and heard two of them bad mouthing hunters, clearly pointing their conversations towards us. In their conversation with the guy behind the counter they said they were paying $90 each to be given a ride up to the PCT at Hearts Pass. I smiled and left.
We were gearing up at Hearts Pass when the showed up. They had to ride in the back of a pickup, in the rain all the way.
The one lady who was bad mouthing hunters in the store, says
“we can’t seem to get away from all these orange wearing a$$holes”!
I walked over to her rifle on my shoulder handgun on my belt, and just smiled at her and said
“my son asked me why we don’t offer you a ride to Hearts Pass since that is where we were headed. I was going to offer all of you a free ride, you would have been warm and dry. Then We heard your comments about hunters, my son asked why do they hate us dad? I told him I don’t think they hate us, they are just misinformed. You might want to think about that over the next few miles on the trail, in your wet clothes.”

They got real quiet as they geared up to hit the trail.

[shallowforks]

My son and I stopped at the Mazama store a few years back. There were four hikers doing the PCT waiting for their ride back up Hearts Pass. We came in bought some munchies and heard two of them bad mouthing hunters, clearly pointing their conversations towards us. In their conversation with the guy behind the counter they said they were paying $90 each to be given a ride up to the PCT at Hearts Pass. I smiled and left.
We were gearing up at Hearts Pass when the showed up. They had to ride in the back of a pickup, in the rain all the way.
The one lady who was bad mouthing hunters in the store, says
“we can’t seem to get away from all these orange wearing a$$holes”!
I walked over to her rifle on my shoulder handgun on my belt, and just smiled at her and said
“my son asked me why we don’t offer you a ride to Hearts Pass since that is where we were headed. I was going to offer all of you a free ride, you would have been warm and dry. Then We heard your comments about hunters, my son asked why do they hate us dad? I told him I don’t think they hate us, they are just misinformed. You might want to think about that over the next few miles on the trail, in your wet clothes.”

They got real quiet as they geared up to hit the trail.

I wouldn’t have wanted to give them a ride either. I wonder though... If we offered our kindness in the face of their obvious contempt could we change their hearts and minds about us even more? I think you had a great idea to give them a free ride.

[Jpmiller]

I forgot about the time I went to the mazama store and told the guy behind me I needed the ice to keep my venison cold lol. Kind of mouthed like a fish out of water and then wouldn't look in my direction.  that store is a cesspool of the wrong kind of outdoor recreaters. My old man lives minutes away from there and every time we visit we end up needing to go there for a last minute something. It's amazing a place with stuffed goats on the wall is so anti hunting. We always hear some kind of hippy anti hunting mumbo jumbo

[Special T]

I think that is a great article written by a man that understands the need for bringing together all users for the betterment of the land and wildlife we ALL love, regardless of political party, opinions on Wolves, Grizzlies, methods of take , support of hunting or the lack thereof, the differences go on and on. I also think if the take away is a “what have we done to them” attitude, the point has been missed, sharply. 

Let me make some clarifying points.  First off this letter isnt really written for hunters, its written for hikers. Outside isnt a hunting magazine. Secondly I think it was a great article and it reinforces what a great ambassador he is. Thirdly It wasnt my take away it was an honest question.  Im only aware of nonconsumptive users making waves for hunters. If you know of the reverse i actually wanted to know.

I apologize Special T for interpreting that as your take away. The only things that come to mind are small, localized pushes for limiting access to ATV’s or OHV’s,  shutting  down access to hikers during an active hunting season and support for a “backpack tax”. It’s a blurry line though because as you stated, the typical sportsman often cross recreates whereas not every hiker hunts. I don’t think any example of just Sportsmen making waves for Non consumptive users is common because we as strictly sportsmen don’t have the numbers. To the point of the article, it is paramount we continue to be conscious of our image, conduct and willingness to work with all groups because frankly, we need them.  The few articles I’ve gleaned from Outside have given me the impression they have a level headed position on the line between Sportsmen and non consumptive users.

I dont remeber the details but thank you for jogging my memory on the back pack tax. Essentially an excise tax on outdoor gear so they have financial skin in the game just like sportsmen. Not all that different than state parks passes or now the discover pass.   Those taxes arnt really pushed by sportsmen as much as the state but I understand the intent. Additionally the DP funds are for state parks not really wild places like more remote DNR  spots.

Are there areas of agreement between the consumptive and non? Absolutely. I dislike  being looked down upon however when it is our Pitman robers/dingle Johnson  dollars at work that benefits all... which is why Rhinella is a better ambassador than I am.

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[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I hunt nearly exclusively in the wilderness...killed my bear last year proned out in the PCT, met hundreds of hikers over the last 5 years and I’ve had ONE bad interaction with a hiker. 

And we turned that interaction into a positive by the time it was done.




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[trophyhunt]

I hunt nearly exclusively in the wilderness...killed my bear last year proned out in the PCT, met hundreds of hikers over the last 5 years and I’ve had ONE bad interaction with a hiker. 

And we turned that interaction into a positive by the time it was done.




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I was going to say, most of my interactions have been positive.

[baker5150]

I've never had a bad experience with hikers. 

Mt Biker's are another story. My area is extremely popular for Bikers, they come from all over the country to ride here, and some think they own the mountain and it's access points.  Unaware that most of the trails are illegally built, and most access points are privately owned.  regardless, they like to inform me, regularly, that they built the trails, and I shouldn't be using them for anything but what they were built for.
I don't think it's an "anti hunter issue" as much as it is an "anti-everything except what we do" issue. 

[Knocker of rocks]

My son and I stopped at the Mazama store a few years back. There were four hikers doing the PCT waiting for their ride back up Hearts Pass. We came in bought some munchies and heard two of them bad mouthing hunters, clearly pointing their conversations towards us. In their conversation with the guy behind the counter they said they were paying $90 each to be given a ride up to the PCT at Hearts Pass. I smiled and left.
We were gearing up at Hearts Pass when the showed up. They had to ride in the back of a pickup, in the rain all the way.
The one lady who was bad mouthing hunters in the store, says
“we can’t seem to get away from all these orange wearing a$$holes”!
I walked over to her rifle on my shoulder handgun on my belt, and just smiled at her and said
“my son asked me why we don’t offer you a ride to Hearts Pass since that is where we were headed. I was going to offer all of you a free ride, you would have been warm and dry. Then We heard your comments about hunters, my son asked why do they hate us dad? I told him I don’t think they hate us, they are just misinformed. You might want to think about that over the next few miles on the trail, in your wet clothes.”

They got real quiet as they geared up to hit the trail.

But at the same time you shouldn't let a few people color your opinion of an entire group.   Should the guy in Capitol Forest represent hunters?
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,232505.0.html