Free: Contests & Raffles.
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.
I will look up Responsive management today. I appreciate what you are doing.
