Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: WWC on September 27, 2022, 03:55:02 PM


Advertise Here
Title: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: WWC on September 27, 2022, 03:55:02 PM
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/sep/25/george-oft-maligned-trophy-hunting-actually-key-to/?fbclid=IwAR1jsK4R8EBUk2_PkVmRIUtcBtKCQzo67pFSX1gdB6U_AUY7zhCd6FBXU3M

By Bart George
For The Spokesman-Review
This is an opinion piece written by Bart George, a wildlife biologist and hunter in northeast Washington. For another perspective read “Trophy hunting driving away would-be hunters,” by professor and author Paul Lindholdt.

When it comes to wildlife management and hunting, I cannot wax poetic and quote Shakespeare or ponder philosophical conundrums while drawing abstract conclusions that fit my predetermined bias. No, as a professional scientist, I am required to suspend my opinions and rely on hard data, historical knowledge and field observations to direct my course of action and management decisions.

The science of wildlife management is guided by research and data generated over the past several decades. Population dynamics, birth and mortality rates, carrying capacity and ecosystem-wide habitat composition are just a few variables we consider when managing predator and prey species, as well as their relationship to each other and humans. Wildlife managers are not gambling with outcomes. We take a very cautious approach. Further, we have 100 years’ worth of data from which to draw. In short, we know what works and what does not. And we continue to improve our understanding of complex biological relationships and adjust management schema as new technology increases our ability to collect more and new data.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: WWC on September 27, 2022, 03:56:00 PM
Please read the whole article on the Spoksman Review site.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: KFhunter on September 27, 2022, 04:38:59 PM
Good write up Bart  :tup: :tup:

Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: buckfvr on September 27, 2022, 04:49:10 PM
Great job Bart, I hope you hit some nerves and rang some bells.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: Special T on September 27, 2022, 05:00:44 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on September 27, 2022, 06:11:02 PM
Thanks guys!
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: idahohuntr on September 27, 2022, 06:15:54 PM
Excellent article. 
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: Bushcraft on September 27, 2022, 06:39:10 PM
Bart,

Your outstanding article is arguably one of the best I've read on the aspect of "trophy hunting" in some time.  Well done!

Thank you.

Allen
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: RB on September 27, 2022, 06:50:12 PM
Now if we could just get people (non hunters) to read this and understand it! Best article I have read in a long time!
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: mburrows on September 27, 2022, 06:56:59 PM
Really well done!
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: hunter399 on September 27, 2022, 08:48:26 PM
 
Really well done!

 :yeah:
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: Rainier10 on September 27, 2022, 09:46:59 PM
The full article is amazing. Great job Bart!
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: trophyhunt on September 28, 2022, 05:25:29 AM
Excellent and spot on, anyway you could read this article to the commission when they have the next spring bear meeting?  Thanks for writing this!
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: Ironhead on September 28, 2022, 05:39:38 AM
Great write up Bart!
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: Sneaky Squirrel on September 28, 2022, 09:19:30 AM
That was a great piece writing Bart! I sure wish the commission would not base there decisions on Emotions.....
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: GASoline71 on September 28, 2022, 11:43:32 AM
Outstanding article Bart!  Thank you for all that you do!

Gary
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: hunter399 on September 28, 2022, 12:00:18 PM
He nailed it.
Hit all the right keys.
Everything from "trophy hunting"/ north American model/science.
Just really hit it out the park.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: salmosalar on September 28, 2022, 12:32:58 PM
This is a topic that is exceptionally important. I think that the article is very good. I think that both articles make good points but speak past each other to some degree. I think that they miss the most important piece of the puzzle with the exception of the last line of Lindholdt's article, "The hunt will definitely continue. The best we can hope for is that it’s done ethically, sustainably, and by diverse people besides us white men." This line is incomplete but somewhat touches on the cultural and communication issues that plague hunting public relations.

I am a west side urban dweller. I live with 3 minority women. They do not hunt. They accept that I do, but are not interested.  In fact, when the camo clothes come out as they recently did, it takes a bit for my family to adjust. The reason for this has little to do with hunting itself. It has something to do with guns (even when I archery hunt). It mostly has to do with how they receive the information on the trucks at Cabela's or Sportsman's warehouse. It has to do with culture wars and not feeling safe around loud white guys with at times visible sidearms and Calvin pissing on something bumper stickers, or political stickers that call a female politician a ho, bitch or the like (honestly, a terrible look). Through their eyes these things are pretty threatening when put all together. Even with a father that hunts and that they love, they feel threatened. Whether I like it or not, that is the reality.

The other issue that I see is also with how some hunters communicate. The broad-based attacks on "Lib's" or Urban Residents or in the case of Washington, the greater Seattle area are not helpful. I see it all the time on this public forum. It certainly does not endear us to the single most populated area in the state. For me personally it is quiet a turn off when I hear broadbrushed attacks on humans and places that I live around and love.

In my particular case, I came home from 2 weeks of elk hunting and my very liberal and urban neighborhood and people asked me how I did. They have been interested and spoken to me about it. My neighbors  have been supportive of my bow target shooting (within city limits) and know I hunt and are supportive. My overwhelming liberal, urbanite coworkers are the similar. They are part of the 77% that generally approve of hunting. However, the hunter that they know best is me (and 2 other coworkers) and I go out of my way to show care and concern and to be kind. Being an ambassador is important. I know that many coworkers struggle with the same perception that my kids and wife do. At my work, we have very public jobs and deal with a lot of contractors. Like hunters, the ones we deal with are overwhelmingly male white gun owners. Some conduct themselves fabulously. Others use aggressive or loud or dismissive communication techniques. They swear at people or have signs or bumper stickers that many find threatening. Hunters using the same communication styles either don't know the effect of their communication on non-hunters or don't care.

Everyone is entitled to their own belief's and speech. That is the most important right that we have. I do believe that the way that hunters communicate is important in the public having a positive view towards us. I will always try to be an ambassador that way.  I know only what I live, and I am just trying to show how we may all be able to communicate pro-hunting perspectives in a manner that is more likely to give a positive impression of the activity that we love.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: GOcougsHunter on September 28, 2022, 01:14:21 PM
salmosalar!  well said!  I am exactly in your shoes.  My "liberal" community thoroughly enjoys when I bring them some elk steaks or some venison burger.  I have had hundreds upon hundreds of conversations with adults, teens and kids who come to me asking me questions about "trophy hunting", guns, etc.  I am respectful of their world view and convince them that other world views exist.  Binary thinking will be the death of us all.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: buckfvr on September 28, 2022, 01:56:03 PM
It isn't just Seattle, its everywhere.  Colville has a ton of no hunt/no gun people.  If I get asked a question, I will indulge as much as the question requires.  I'm not out to convince anyone or change anyone's minds, those days are hindsight.  Same as political correctness, that has failed and is mostly interpreted as a sign of weakness that gets exploited in many instances.  WDFW commission is an example of that, all the letter writing and speaking from the hunting community gets swept right out the back door by a commission that largely gives a $h1t.

Good on those of you who can still stand to be our ambassadors, as I'm sure there's those like me who've been there done that in years past and don't see much evidence that it helped.    :twocents:

Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: mcrawfordaf on September 28, 2022, 03:10:35 PM
This is a topic that is exceptionally important. I think that the article is very good. I think that both articles make good points but speak past each other to some degree. I think that they miss the most important piece of the puzzle with the exception of the last line of Lindholdt's article, "The hunt will definitely continue. The best we can hope for is that it’s done ethically, sustainably, and by diverse people besides us white men." This line is incomplete but somewhat touches on the cultural and communication issues that plague hunting public relations.

I am a west side urban dweller. I live with 3 minority women. They do not hunt. They accept that I do, but are not interested.  In fact, when the camo clothes come out as they recently did, it takes a bit for my family to adjust. The reason for this has little to do with hunting itself. It has something to do with guns (even when I archery hunt). It mostly has to do with how they receive the information on the trucks at Cabela's or Sportsman's warehouse. It has to do with culture wars and not feeling safe around loud white guys with at times visible sidearms and Calvin pissing on something bumper stickers, or political stickers that call a female politician a ho, bitch or the like (honestly, a terrible look). Through their eyes these things are pretty threatening when put all together. Even with a father that hunts and that they love, they feel threatened. Whether I like it or not, that is the reality.

The other issue that I see is also with how some hunters communicate. The broad-based attacks on "Lib's" or Urban Residents or in the case of Washington, the greater Seattle area are not helpful. I see it all the time on this public forum. It certainly does not endear us to the single most populated area in the state. For me personally it is quiet a turn off when I hear broadbrushed attacks on humans and places that I live around and love.

In my particular case, I came home from 2 weeks of elk hunting and my very liberal and urban neighborhood and people asked me how I did. They have been interested and spoken to me about it. My neighbors  have been supportive of my bow target shooting (within city limits) and know I hunt and are supportive. My overwhelming liberal, urbanite coworkers are the similar. They are part of the 77% that generally approve of hunting. However, the hunter that they know best is me (and 2 other coworkers) and I go out of my way to show care and concern and to be kind. Being an ambassador is important. I know that many coworkers struggle with the same perception that my kids and wife do. At my work, we have very public jobs and deal with a lot of contractors. Like hunters, the ones we deal with are overwhelmingly male white gun owners. Some conduct themselves fabulously. Others use aggressive or loud or dismissive communication techniques. They swear at people or have signs or bumper stickers that many find threatening. Hunters using the same communication styles either don't know the effect of their communication on non-hunters or don't care.

Everyone is entitled to their own belief's and speech. That is the most important right that we have. I do believe that the way that hunters communicate is important in the public having a positive view towards us. I will always try to be an ambassador that way.  I know only what I live, and I am just trying to show how we may all be able to communicate pro-hunting perspectives in a manner that is more likely to give a positive impression of the activity that we love.

It's just like any other activity with polarized views on how it should be done - you'll always have good apples and bad apples. I think the large majority of hunters are well spoken and great ambassadors. I also believe there is a large population of hunters who you wouldn't even know they hunted unless you entered their homes and saw their "trophys" or opened their freezers. I can go to any event for any sport/recreation and find the ones that give it a bad name. It's up to those who want to judge an activity on the vocal minority.  :twocents:
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: WWC on September 28, 2022, 04:28:33 PM
Bart referenced the study done by Responsive Management,  at the request of Director Susewind.  They are the premier organization that does this work on a national level,  and for most states. The numbers refute the anti hunting crowds claims but we need to do better.

Each year we set up a booth at the State Fair.(picture below) we do so because we understand  what salmosalar, GocougsHunter, and others have stated. The general public is  supportive of hunting. We just need to be good ambassadors to those that don't have a connection to hunting. This year we set up a static display. In years past we manned the booth with interactive displays of skulls, hides and coloring sheets to engage the non hunting public. The State fair expanding to 20 days and the issues revolving Covid dictated this change. We are always in need of ambassadors for this event, and even more so now because most of volunteers were elderly.
Sportsmen do have political hurdles to overcome. This event isn't political just outreach. Consider helping sportsmen reach out to the general public next year.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: salmosalar on September 29, 2022, 07:42:59 AM
I will look up Responsive management today. I appreciate what you are doing.
Title: Re: George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation
Post by: WWC on September 29, 2022, 09:49:47 AM
I will look up Responsive management today. I appreciate what you are doing.

This is the study mentioned by Bart and We referenced.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/WA%202022%20Wildlife%20Management%20Report%202022%2003%2016.pdf
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal