Are some hunting shows helping the anti gun groups?

[possumal]

Just wondering what some of you guys think about some of the hunting shows on tv that show hunters dressed in full camo, sitting in a home away from home, shooting "Trophy" deer in areas around feeders.  Personally, I don't consider that a trophy and there is little sportsmanship, if any, connected to it.  On the other hand, it is the kind of stuff that the bambi huggers and anti hunting groups use against us sportsmen who do take part in 100% fair chase hunting.  In lots of states, hunters are not allowed to kill many species of wild game within so many yards of feeders.   

[FinsnFur]

I can agree with ya on that. But on the same notion, the antis are using fair chase hunts against us too.
The "canned hunts" seem to have a less desirable meaning to a lot of what I'd like to call regular hunters, people like you and I and the other members.
They just dont seem right and in our eyes they dont even really involve hunting. But you have to break it down further then that. There are similar canned hunts that are offered to people that cannot walk into the woods on their own, or hold up a rifle on their own etc. But they still want to hunt.
I think those are great adventures for disabled people and are even a way to attract more people to the heritage of the sport.

[HaMeR]

A canned hunt is still a canned hunt. BUT,, Some of those folks just plain have it rough in life & if thats the only way they can enjoy a hunt like that then I'm all for it. I would never want someone to not be able to experience the same thrills that I do because they have a disability. And a heckuva lot more effort goes into one of those special hunts than I could ever put into one of mine.

I think they are using the "bad hunts" that make the news. Such as an accidental shooting or a gun shot deer running out into the road & hit by a vehicle.

I also think the shows do a good job of letting everybody know the animal only goes a short distance before succumbing. I think thats the most important part of hunting. As quick of a kill as possible. The antis will always have their fodder against us regardless of truth or validity anyway. They are glory seekers that need someone to listen to them.

[possumal]

I should have made my post clearer to the extent that I wasn't talking about the hunts for the handicapped, disabled vets, and the like.  Just the setups on the pay to hunt deals. They kind of remind me of someone going out and cutting out a steer to slaughter. The anti hunting groups are going to use anything they can to try to do us harm, but I hate to see us give them easy ammo.

[KySongDog]

I think its a real slippery slope one can get on.  Sure the "canned" hunts involve nice blinds and feeders but....they are legal.  What about the $300 climbing tree stand, the $600 electronic caller, the high $ scopes, the high tech camo gear, in line muzzle loaders, guns, etc.

We have all come along way since the ancient days of making your own spear or bow and arrows out of nothing.  Fair chase to me means playing by the legal game laws whatever they may be. 

Semp

[BasinBoy]

ya the highfenced hunts give the antis lots of ammo to fire away at us!

[blacky]

Here is my question on this subject.

Is it really any different to hunt over a feeder or bait than to use scent to attract game or for that matter to use a call to convince a gobbler he is coming to something he ain't a gonna get?

It is illegal here to hunt anything except deer at a feeder, which I have done, but during turkey season all feeders must be out of service 2 weeks before season comes in.

LEGAL is the key word here.

[vvarmitr]

I think the greatest help the antis get from all this is they get us to divide.

The antis are NOT going to accept ANY way you hunt. Get that through you're head! Trying to appease 'em  is just a waste of time. The whole idea reeks of political correctness. 

[Nelson]

Vv,

That is so true.  These people have a closed mind and cannot be changed. 

They wouldn't even approve of Jim running around the woods hunting with

a spear while wearing his thong bikini!! :roflmao:   :roflmao:   :roflmao:

Nelson

[vvarmitr]

  Who could? 

                                                                                                                                         

[possumal]

It is true we aren't going to change the anti hunters' minds, but if it comes down to votes having an effect on our rights, we have to impress the middle ground people. Remember there are far more people who are neither members of the anti hunting groups or pro hunting groups who vote on this kind of thing.  Every positive thing that hunters do to impress these people is in our best interests. Programs like the bowhunters up in New Jersey sponsored a few years ago to provide venison for the hungry do a lot to strengthen our position.  The various organizations who are teaching firearm and archery skills and safety are important to us too.  I am not questioning the legality involved here, but the impression it has on the middle ground people.

[THO Game Calls]

Here's just a small sampling of some of the advertising write ups for a few of the predator videos out today

contains over 30 coyote kills

17 kills

dozens of kill shots

27 kills

Over 35 predators killed

25 Kills

38 total kills

Then read some of the things written on these boards

Bang Flop

Whacked 'em

Then take a look at some of the prairie dog web sites

Used to be an 8 point deer was a big deal.   Now we grow food plots so their antlers will be even bigger.   8 pointer on many places today is a non shooter and even some states impose antler restrictions so hunters will have bigger deer to shoot.

I've seen pictures of hunting vehicles with wet bars in them.  Guys shooting a 30-30 out of a hot tub wearing a hunting hat with a beer sitting on the deck.

Ranches that let birds go right before the hunters get there so the Vice President (or who ever else can afford it) can have something to shoot at.



Used to be a man could go out and take the gun for a walk in the woods and enjoy himself.

Boone and Crockett was a place that honored the animal, they didn't even put the hunters name in the book (may not still I have not stayed current with it)

If we ever lose our hunting rights in this country, there were be more than enough places to lay the blame, but blaming the anti hunters will just be a scape goat.  The real blame will be with those of us who called ourselves "hunters" and stood by and let it happen.

Al

edited to correct spelling and grammar JRB

[FinsnFur]

I'm a little ...anti Jim's thong 

[ErictheRed]

In lots of states, hunters are not allowed to kill many species of wild game within so many yards of feeders.

What is the difference in sitting and waiting for the deer to come out a little wood lot and into a 100 acre corn field?  Just more bait.  Woud you do that?