Prejudiced Hunters
As hunters, we’ve all probably encountered opposition from non-hunters at one time or another. What’s sad though is when we face opposition from within our own ranks. This type of prejudice is very well what could be our downfall one day. All the anti-hunters have to do is focus on these internal divisions and watch us tear ourselves apart.
Misconceptions my butt. They are EXTREMELY easier to use and are a lazy mans crutch. Nothing else.
The above comment was left on my Crossbow Controversies post I made nearly a year ago. It is a perfect example of the internal strife I mentioned above. Instead of banding together as hunters, many of us would rather argue the merits of one type of hunting over another, why one type of weapon shouldn’t be allowed, or what it means to be a true hunter.
I believe it’s safe to say that all hunters are prejudiced to their certain type of hunting or weapon of choice. That is only to be expected. There is nothing wrong with that, but what is wrong is when they let that prejudice get out of control to the point that they attack anyone that doesn’t agree with them.
The comment above could easily be transferred from crossbows to any of the other type of weapons used for hunting today. The modern compound bow with all the bells and whistles could be seen as a lazy mans crutch to someone that prefers to hunt with a longbow. High powered rifles could be seen as extremely easier to someone preferring to hunt with a single shot slug gun. It’s all a matter of personal opinion.
If we want to have tolerance for what we prefer to hunt with, then we need to show the same tolerance to others. And if we don’t, then you can bet that that will be the crack in our defenses that the anti-hunters will use to bring us down.
hunting, hunting sense, crossbows, weapons, hunters, prejudice
February 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I would say the anti-hunting groups are already using these sorts of cracks to assualt hunting. In my opinion the single biggest thing hunters need to do to preserve hunting for future generations is to work together, despite differences in methods and equipment. Hunters can be a very powerful voting bloc, if they can learn to vote together.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I whole-heartedly agree with your post. All of us hunters need to ban together to defeat the anti-hunting groups that are out there and working together to defeat us.
I do think though that a little difference of opinion among hunters does have its advantages as long as in the end we all realize we are on the same team.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am
You are right on with this post! It is sad that so many hunters can not see that their constant attacks on one another will lead to their downfall. The same thing happens (perhaps to a lesser extent) in fishing…but that is another post.
There may be some room for disagreement on things like crossbows in states like mine (WV) where they are not yet legal. We can debate the pros and cons, and then the decision can be made. Even if I don’t want to use a crossbow, if it is legal, then I have no problem at all with it. There are many issues just like this one that should never cause division between hunters…we need to be on the same side of the fence!
February 27th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Very good post. I could make arguments for or against any number of hunting weapons but I choose to just enjoy my own choices and let everyone else enjoy theirs. Like Kris said, if it’s legal it’s OK in my book!
February 27th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Excellent post Cliff. You’re right sometimes hunters are their worst own enemy. This is a subject I have written a lot about and it still puzzles me as to why some hunters see themselves as moral judges over others. Most of this silliness has nothing to do with ethics or moral but more with personal narrow-minded opinions
-ov-
April 21st, 2008 at 11:18 am
good post - I agree with everyone else whose commented on it - we hunter’s do nothing but hurt ourselves as a group when we let our disagreement on methods get out of hand - if it’s legal it’s fine!