Hunting Sense

I’ve been meaning to do a follow up on the WHA (World Hunting Association), and after a readers comments on the original post, I decided there’s no better time than the present to do it. And guess what, it just so happens ESPN Outdoors has done an article on it recently as well.

Even though David Farbman has tried to make the WHA more appealing to the majority of the hunting community, it’s too little too late. And yes, I know, they’ve switched to a traditional harvest format (yes, it means killing the deer, not darting it), done away with the bounty in favor of a more general point system, and, after the first event, switched to the traditional “fair chase” hunt in open country instead of hunting high fenced ranches. The bottom line for me is that competetive hunting isn’t something I’ll ever be an advocate of.

And now, adding an even worse taste in my mouth, is the wrestling-esque personas and trash talk of the hunters taking part in the competetion. Names like “The Machine” and “The Colonel”? Throwing insults back and forth about how the opponent can’t hunt? Come on, give me a break. What an insult that is to hunters.

It also surprises me sportsmen in states where competetions are scheduled to take place haven’t been more vocal against the WHA events. I noticed one is scheduled for Oklahoma. That shames me to no end that Farbman’s circus will taint the name of the place I grew up. I hope the hunters there will loudly voice their dislike of the entire thing.

Most of the hunting industry still disagrees with the organization enough that they continue to not endorse or sponsor it. Farbman and a few backers are bankrolling it themselves. Some may say that his willingness to spend from his own pocket shows his intentions, I say it shows his complete denial of the fact it’s a bad concept.

Hunting has a proud heritage, and like the article by ESPN Outdoors says, many consider it a type of spiritual experience. Trivializing and making a mockery of our sport in no way shows a love or concern for it as Farbman insists he has. And the entire wrestling themed characters is nothing more than a disgrace to hunters and the sport.

If I want to watch hunting, I’ll tune into Ted Nugent’s Spirit of the Wild, Dan Fitzgerald’s Team Fitzgerald Outdoors TV, or any number of great hunting shows already out there. And as far as the WHA, I hope to see it bodyslammed and thrown out of the ring.

hunting, television, WHA, David Farbman, rant