BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[kwilson]

LlindeX,

I'm the author of this article. I really like what you've said and I agree 100%. I'm wondering if you'd mind me quoting you in another article I'm doing for a Canadian publication. The article is titled, "Not Just the Kill" and I would consider it a privilege if you'd allow me to quote you. If this is alright, please e-mail me at: kevin@venturenorthoutfitting.com.

Thanks in advance.

[Makwa]

Sadly, I imagine something like this was inevitable with the way hunting has been commercialized in the last decade or two. It has been a fairly steady downhill slide into a fame and fortune media circus with he who has the biggest trophy, who produces the most DVD's or has his name listed as having achieved the largest number of newly created 'Slams' being the winner.

Large, prosperous companies who depend upon hunters to sell their products are willing to pay $100,000 to purchase large whitetail bucks to display in their retail outlets. Local big buck contests offer up large cash prizes, rifles and optics to the biggest head entered (as opposed to a draw for any head entered....giving every deer hunter a chance at the prize) thereby encouraging those among us who live in the 'gray area' to conduct illegal sorties in search of financial gain.

Increasingly we see outfitters that are no longer simple family run operations, but instead have become large commercial enterprises with multiple outfitting companies in several different countries. The existence of high fenced hunting operations for native species that are genetically enhanced through breeding programs, as if they were angus cattle, and that receive specially formulated feed and minerals for enhanced antler growth has become common place and year by year more hunters manage to convince themselves that this is OK.

Why should we find this shocking? It is just one more symptom of the disease. Mega media, big dollars and individuals seeking personal fame and glory. The opportunity to make big bucks will always attract individuals we like to call entrepreneurs, individuals with no real personal interest in a specific area other than how much profit they can generate.

It is time for hunters to take a long hard look at their 'sport' and how it is evolving. I don't like where things are heading much the same as I do not like what Christmas has become.

[atomikall]

I agree with everybody, the true hunting heritage was passed on for generations before all this garbage came out and I believe truly hunting will be around forever if we pass what we know to our generations. This is deffinetly the stupidest thing I have ever heard and I totally agree its a pile of ******** what are they trying to pull and Im emailing this guy soon as Im done writing this what an idiot. SO WHAT DO THEY PLAN TO DO WITH THE DEER WHEN ITS BEEN TRANKED 3 OR 4 TIMES because after that its garbage for eating you'll never be able to eat that without side affects. I know here in ontario they trank bears all the time and if they are tagged and you down one you have to call the number on the tag so they can tell you if its able to be eaten or not because of what its tranked with or how many times it has been downed by tranquilizers. Anyway I would like to know what that teaches our kids and thier kids in ten years imagine how the world would be if they all thought like this guy that its allright to go out and tranqualize an animal and get your face posted on the tv and your happy about it all I know is when that show airs Ill be pissed and my kids will never watch or hear from me about BS like that its a disgrace to our heritage and what our familys believed was right and wrong. All I have to say is this is a great saying the author of this article said::


Let's take a step back for a moment. Those of us who enjoy the 'process', share a passion of the heart. Driven by a God-given instinct to pursue, we are hunters. Chastised by some and supported by others, those of us adhering to the fair chase ethic and the right to responsibly take from our natural resources, share a kindred spirit. We are hunters, and proud of it. It's difficult to explain.

This was one of the best things Ive ever read and the article was one of the best too. Great article and Thanks for the WHA presidents addy Im emailing him now.