Ashamed to be a hunter some days

[PWN Kurt]

I think if they added some sort of birth-control into Keystone Light and Mt.Dew it might help the problem for the next generation.

They seem to be the drinks of choice of the guys who leave dirty campsites and toss their cans at the trail head of a hunting area.

I did see a lot of responsible hunters out this last weekend...most were very courteous and respectful.  However, it's the 2 or 3 idiots that really stuck with me.

[sandythebowtotenmama]

Well I guess it's ok to say that I turned in a few hunters. I was elk hunting and the Rd's. were closed to all motorized vehicles, only foot traffic allowed. I was on foot a mile from my truck and what did I run into? 3, 4 wheel drive pick ups, 1 was hunting the rest just along for? I took their plate numbers and turned them in. I had to walk back there and they were tearing up the rd. that was closed. I heard someone at the store I was at earlier that day saying here come the crazies(there were hunter's in camo that had just left and they hadn't seen me in line).

[provider]

This is precisely the topic that needs to be discussed on this forum more often.  We must never remove ourselves from the debate over the importance of operating in the highest of ethical standards.  Since so many refuse to conduct themselves ethically, the rest of us must encourage and influence them to do so. 

I am sick and tired of this nonsense attitude that “just because it’s legal… we should all be supportive”.  No I do not support it.  Just because you enjoy recreating a certain (unethical) way, does not mean others should allow it.  Your actions create a negative perception of hunters and do affect all of us.  Make no mistake, the non-hunting public will ultimately decide the future of hunting, so it is imperative we display good character.

Oh, and I don’t care if you choose to use archery equipment, or muzzleloader, or modern.  That choice makes you no more virtuous… and no less.  Your choice of weapon, race, or religion does not dictate whether you are ethical or not.  If you are a knucklehead…  you are a knucklehead.

[NWBREW]

I think if they added some sort of birth-control into Keystone Light and Mt.Dew it might help the problem for the next generation.

 

I did see a lot of responsible hunters out this last weekend...most were very courteous and respectful.  However, it's the 2 or 3 idiots that really stuck with me.

Thats fine by me....I like mnt. dew and I don't need any more kids.

 But I'm glad you pointed out that most hunters you ran into were respectful. and it is not just rifle hunters....there are idiots using all hunting methods. The rifle hunters are just a lot more dangerous and there are more of them and more visibly seen. To some it's not about hunting, it's a drink fest and shooting. Don't get me wrong..there is nothing wrong with having a few beers or drinks after the hunt. I've been known to do that on ocassion.

[Machias]

This is precisely the topic that needs to be discussed on this forum more often.  We must never remove ourselves from the debate over the importance of operating in the highest of ethical standards.  Since so many refuse to conduct themselves ethically, the rest of us must encourage and influence them to do so. 

I am sick and tired of this nonsense attitude that “just because it’s legal… we should all be supportive”.  No I do not support it.  Just because you enjoy recreating a certain (unethical) way, does not mean others should allow it.  Your actions create a negative perception of hunters and do affect all of us.  Make no mistake, the non-hunting public will ultimately decide the future of hunting, so it is imperative we display good character.

Oh, and I don’t care if you choose to use archery equipment, or muzzleloader, or modern.  That choice makes you no more virtuous… and no less.  Your choice of weapon, race, or religion does not dictate whether you are ethical or not.  If you are a knucklehead…  you are a knucklehead.

Can you clarify that middle paragraph for me?

[runamuk]

This is precisely the topic that needs to be discussed on this forum more often.  We must never remove ourselves from the debate over the importance of operating in the highest of ethical standards.  Since so many refuse to conduct themselves ethically, the rest of us must encourage and influence them to do so. 

I am sick and tired of this nonsense attitude that “just because it’s legal… we should all be supportive”.  No I do not support it.  Just because you enjoy recreating a certain (unethical) way, does not mean others should allow it.  Your actions create a negative perception of hunters and do affect all of us.  Make no mistake, the non-hunting public will ultimately decide the future of hunting, so it is imperative we display good character.

Oh, and I don’t care if you choose to use archery equipment, or muzzleloader, or modern.  That choice makes you no more virtuous… and no less.  Your choice of weapon, race, or religion does not dictate whether you are ethical or not.  If you are a knucklehead…  you are a knucklehead.

Can you clarify that middle paragraph for me?

I'm with you Fred....usually when we say this it means legal methods, and not losing more methods. 

I don't think anyone on here supports drunken hunting, garbage dumping, and random shooting. 

I like to walk in to areas where people don't drive the further from civilization the better, I know a couple people who like to Mt. Bike, others who ride horses and yes a few who even enjoy driving and glassing....so long as each is obeying the rules and being polite one method really isn't better than the rest.  IN fact if all those road hunters walked back where I like to go I would no longer have the peace and solitude I enjoy so I support safe minded road hunting I suppose

[SHANE(WA)]

its illegal to road hunt, how many of these individuals really get out of the rig and get off the road to shoot? not many, thats why its so hard to stop or enforce, nothing wrong with driving around

[runamuk]

its illegal to road hunt, how many of these individuals really get out of the rig and get off the road to shoot? not many, thats why its so hard to stop or enforce, nothing wrong with driving around

hmmmm maybe I need to define what I consider road hunting......people who drive and glass drive and glass spot something pull over get out and go shoot it...now if you are a disabled hunter shooting from a quad or rig is one thing.... if you are able bodied you best get your body out of your truck at least....I know plenty of people who hunt this way...it ain't my cup of tea it goes against every moral and ethic I have for myself......but if they are not shooting from the rig they aren't breaking a law...in fact people shooting grouse on roads are also breaking a law but it seems to be accepted to shoot grouse on roads.....I prefer not to...so I will continue to suck at hunting for now and be able to live with myself by not breaking any rules.....but I am not going to tell anyone else they must do it my way...to each their own....

[passing-thru]

I feel much the same as you do. I see things every year that make me sick to stomach. This year was no exception. I posted a message "Bad day out" it tells how opening morning went for me and daughter. Sorry about your experience

[Tony 270WSM]

I didn't bother reading your entire post or any here, but I disagree with your title completely.

Ashamed to be a hunter some days? The idea seems to be the actions of some look and reflect poorly on you... right?

Let me spin this a different way. Are you white? Are you ashamed to be white some days because there are some racist POSs out there? Some members of KKK, some "good 'ole boys" down in the south? Do their actions make you ashamed?

Black? Do the thugs and wanna-be thugs make you ashamed to be black? The stereotypical whistle blowers who cry racism every time things don't go their way? You ashamed?

Do poachers make you ashamed that you hunt? Are you engaging in illegal hunting activities? Are you doing these things?

There are some lousy people out there. Those that do illegal things, unethical things, downright disgusting things. Doesn't matter what color you are, what activities you engage in. How you carry yourself defines who you are and how you should feel, not who you might be perceived to be associated with. If you don't like what they are doing, do something about it, don't feel bad about yourself.

Tony, I don't disagree with what you say but I don't think it is quite that simple.  Maybe it's more accurate to say I feel ashamed of other hunters behaviors some days.  I am constantly defending hunting/hunters at my place of employment.  It's an environment where 90% of the people there have a negative perception of how "hunters" "behave" while "hunting".  I don't feel bad about myself as a hunter.  I feel bad that me and all you guys that have responded to this post are associated with a bunch of low-life slobs.  

Our state has the highest percentage of anti-hunters anywhere in the country.  Whether their perception is right or fair is irrelevant, it impacts the most ethical of hunters just the same.  I think a better analogy than using race is using Islam where a minority of Muslims has severely impacted peoples perception of it.

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

No argument here. Tired of all the BS that goes on, but hoping to help out and change that when I can. Even looking to bust a co-worker who is just a POS when it comes the outdoors and ethics. Tried to talk to him many times about it, but he just doesn't care. The actions of others can reflect poorly on us in the eyes of the uneducated. Just keep doing your best and be proud of being a hunter, not ashamed of it.

[EastWaViking]

On the way home tonight there was a truck stopped on the road behind our house, the property on both sides is private and only family members can hunt it.  I drove around to see what was going on... the truck flipped a quick U turn when he saw me and headed out.  This happens pretty much every night in our area.  If there was a buck, he would have shot.   I got his plate number a few miles down the road when he stopped to get gas, because I know he'll be back. 
My wife was at the grocery store in Deer Park at lunch time, she said almost every guy there was in full camo, scruffy, buying a half rack and couldn't speak in complete sentences.  This is what the majority of the non hunting public views all of us as.  Nothing wrong with buying beer, or not shaving, even not being very good with English, but when you put them all together, you have the stereotypical "hunter" in most people's eyes. 

[KimberRich]

On the way home tonight there was a truck stopped on the road behind our house, the property on both sides is private and only family members can hunt it.  I drove around to see what was going on... the truck flipped a quick U turn when he saw me and headed out.  This happens pretty much every night in our area.  If there was a buck, he would have shot.   I got his plate number a few miles down the road when he stopped to get gas, because I know he'll be back. 
My wife was at the grocery store in Deer Park at lunch time, she said almost every guy there was in full camo, scruffy, buying a half rack and couldn't speak in complete sentences.  This is what the majority of the non hunting public views all of us as.  Nothing wrong with buying beer, or not shaving, even not being very good with English, but when you put them all together, you have the stereotypical "hunter" in most people's eyes. 

Your totally right.  That's what most people view us hunters as.  It's not socially acceptable to stereotype people of a certain race or religion because of a couple bad eggs among them so it shouldn't be that way towards hunters..  But it is.

[youngchristof]

a few bad apples can screw up the whole orchard!!  it is pitiful how most people "hunt" if you want to call it that.   I saw a rig on the road with a kid sitting ing the bed on a lawn chair holding his rifle.  That is a great way to show a young man how to hunt.  stupid people are multiplying fast.  The sad thing is that the kid will think this is an acceptable way to hunt now and will proably be a lifetime road hunter.   sad

[Swiftkid]

Mr. Brady, i couldn't have said it better than you did. I don't think there is much to be ashamed of as long as you carry yourself as a hunter who doesn't do the things that other hunters frown apon. It is a great priveledge to hunt, and just like you said although it is an exciting moment i am both over whelmed with joy and sadness. We should all show respect towards the great animals that we hunt.

[NWBREW]

a few bad apples can screw up the whole orchard!!  it is pitiful how most people "hunt" if you want to call it that.   I saw a rig on the road with a kid sitting ing the bed on a lawn chair holding his rifle.  That is a great way to show a young man how to hunt.  stupid people are multiplying fast.  The sad thing is that the kid will think this is an acceptable way to hunt now and will proably be a lifetime road hunter.   sad

Do you really believe that this how most people hunt? I know ALOT of hunters that are friends of mine and not one of them "hunts" that way. I believe what you are seeing is the minority not the majority. We all see it at one time or another, but that sounded like you just stereotyped hunters with that comment. Which is it...a few bad apples or how most people? I'm not trying to be a dick but would like to know if you think that is how "most people hunt". If that is what you believe then you have become a victim and a promoter of that stereotype. I do not believe that is how "most people hunt"...those that do are just more visible then most. And you are right....it is sad that boy will grow up thinking that acceptable to hunt from the bed of a pickup