Trophy Hunting

Grizzly Adams said:
Reading the stuff you write, I can understand your surprise. :) General Public expects more from us hunters than bragging about the size of the heads we bag, especially when we pay money to have someone take us by the hand and put us in a shooting situation. True Hunter knows the woods and expects a challenging, satisfying outdoors experience, not just a big rack. That's what we have to sell or were gonna become extinct.

Grizz
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I don't disagree...I'd say trophy hunters know the woods and a challenge better than most hunters for no other reason than they spend more time there with unfilled tags in their pockets.
 
sheephunter said:
And herein lies the problem...enjoy hunting while you can guys...the end is near and you'll need look no further than the mirror to see why.
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ironsighter said:
I hope you didn't interpret what I wrote the wrong way. I don't think all Trophy Hunters are moronic, high-fiving jackasses. However, the vast majority on WILDTV are exactly that.

This image of the white, male, right-wing, redneck, masochistic killer... Why keep proving the stereotype?

There are plenty of hunters that do not fit that mold at all. Lots and lots and lots of them. We need to put them on TV.
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Pure gold right there ironsighter. LOL
 
btridge said:
Wow, the things some people believe.... canola is double OO rapeseed....developed in u of manitoba in the 70's...This however has nothing to do with the topic at hand...
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Actually developed by Baldur at the u of Man and Downey's group at Ag Canada in Saskatoon about the same time. Developed from rapeseed that it true, but the oil is very different.

And back to the topic, Sheephunter makes some great points. Perception of trophy hunting will always be slanted in some circles.
 
btridge said:
I'm a trophy hunter and proud of it! I take the time to hunt for exactly what I consider to be a trophy to ME. Since I became a trophy hunter, I kill fewer animals than before, I spend more money hunting, I spend way more time hunting, and I enjoy my time in the woods far more. Trophy hunting to me, is far more than just the mount on the wall, it's about doing something you love to do creating memories to last a lifetime. The mount is only part of it, the time spent, places scene, new friends met, and the meat we bring home are all just as important....Far too many people have no clue what a true trophy hunter is!
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you could have not said it any better. I also donate a vast portion of my deer meat to a local food bank.
 
albertaal said:
Perception of trophy hunting will always be slanted in some circles.
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It sure has been around here in the past. A lot of long time members will now no longer post hunt stories or post pics here in the hunting section anymore. Lots of anti hunters and anti trophy hunters right here among us in the CGN community. It is really too bad... Sheephunter is correct though, we will tear ourselves to pieces long before the anti's do.
 
ironsighter said:
I hope you didn't interpret what I wrote the wrong way. I don't think all Trophy Hunters are moronic, high-fiving jackasses. However, the vast majority on WILDTV are exactly that.

This image of the white, male, right-wing, redneck, masochistic killer... Why keep proving the stereotype?

There are plenty of hunters that do not fit that mold at all. Lots and lots and lots of them. We need to put them on TV.
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Couldn't agree more.

I witnessed a couple of D-bags encroach on a stalk in progress on a Antelope buck my friend was stalking. We were there long before anyone else and the etiquette I was taught was that we had dibs on the herd we were on.
The super hunters drove to within about 500 yards behind me - and started after the same herd. This is the wide open bald ass Prairie - so there is no doubt that we are on the same Goats.
The short version is they crawled to within about 300 yards, settled and shot the smallest of 3 bucks. My buddy stood up and waved his arms to avoid being shot by these guys.

I must say he is also a heck of alot nicer fellow than me - as he went over to take a look at the antelope.

These 2 genius's didn't apologize or even realize what had happened, as they were to busy trying to emulate the garbage they see on these shows - videoing the approach to the downed animal and such.

If you want my opinion - until we really start attributing the admiration to a hunt based on all it's merits rather than just the bone on a critters head we are our own worst enemies. And the maggots that live off of marketing the hype that way are as guilty or more so than anyone.

Rant over.
 
norskie said:
If you want my opinion - until we really start attributing the admiration to a hunt based on all it's merits rather than just the bone on a critters head we are our own worst enemies.
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I'd have to agree that helping those that don't hunt understand why it is that we do hunt is critical for the long-term survival of our hunting heritage. As you say it is way more than inches of bone. Perhaps some of our own need a refresher course in why it is we hunt too and that some hunters derive different experiences from a hunt and that's okay. The intolerance of hunters toward hunters that do things differently is frightening and rampant. It's a greater threat than the antis I'd say but some seem willing to sacrifice the future of our heritage for a cheap shot on the internet......sad. Hope Brent ended up getting a good antelope in the end after that experience...there sure where a lot of really nice ones down there this year. Good to get out regardless though.
 
blasted_saber said:
If your only exposure to hunting was WILDTV, then its very likely that you'd think all hunters are trophy hunters.
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I refuse to watch the hunting shows on wild tv. As all of them disgust me. Be it leaving an animal over night to "make sure its dead" if you shoot that poorly go back and punch paper or take up golf. Or the lang range hunters planely lieing about the impact point on the animal. (More than once I have seen a gut shot animal take off running and see the guys high fiveing and cheering.)
I watch wild tv for the gun shows and thats it.
 
sheephunter said:
I'd have to agree that helping those that don't hunt understand why it is that we do hunt is critical for the long-term survival of our hunting heritage. As you say it is way more than inches of bone. Perhaps some of our own need a refresher course in why it is we hunt too and that some hunters derive different experiences from a hunt and that's okay. The intolerance of hunters toward hunters that do things differently is frightening and rampant. It's a greater threat than the antis I'd say but some seem willing to sacrifice the future of our heritage for a cheap shot on the internet......sad. Hope Brent ended up getting a good antelope in the end after that experience...there sure where a lot of really nice ones down there this year. Good to get out regardless though.
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Well put. The intolerance can be amazing sometimes.
 
sheephunter said:
I'd have to agree that helping those that don't hunt understand why it is that we do hunt is critical for the long-term survival of our hunting heritage. As you say it is way more than inches of bone. Perhaps some of our own need a refresher course in why it is we hunt too and that some hunters derive different experiences from a hunt and that's okay. The intolerance of hunters toward hunters that do things differently is frightening and rampant. It's a greater threat than the antis I'd say but some seem willing to sacrifice the future of our heritage for a cheap shot on the internet......sad. Hope Brent ended up getting a good antelope in the end after that experience...there sure where a lot of really nice ones down there this year. Good to get out regardless though.
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There is a big difference between intolerance towards someone who does things differently and and the commercialized world of hunting. I am smart enough to know that if I speak about long range hunting in a negative way among non hunters I paint the community with a bad tone. But that does not mean I have to think the practice is ethical. Its not my gig, but that's about where I would leave that.

The whole Wild TV movement, ministers tags selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, game measuring days etc etc and in general the vanity attached to a segment of the hunting population that automatically attaches a large animal as a symbol of someones hunting prowess are all things that have helped change perception over time. Stereotypes and behavior are portrayed on TV and spread. Lots of guys don't think you can even kill a deer now without having a new Sako topped with a zeiss scope and wearing Sitka camo.

Funny how wearing plaid and shooting and Enfield used to get it done...


This whole issue with the Bighorn doesn't really have much merit as far as a required change. And I agree with you completely that for this to re-surface after 10 years means someone would stand to benefit from a policy change - and despite the honeyed report by the author of this article I don't believe its the sheep.
 
albertaal said:
Well put. The intolerance can be amazing sometimes.
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I agree. And one of the main causes is outdoor forums/ websites.
I know I tolerated a lot more before I was more "informed" by the web.
I have taken a step back and don't post/ reply nearly as much. And I have not and will not, subscribe to Wildtv. Just don't need it. I get enough enjoyment being in the outdoors with family and friends.
And back on topic... Every hunter that speaks to an anti or is seen in a video, is representing the whole hunting community. This isn't a good thing, we are not all great representatives.
 
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sheephunter said:
I'd say you get the big picture then...kudos. Sadly many don't.
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I could cut the irony with a chainsaw....

At any rate - to bring the discussion to the Bighorn study again.

I think if they are truly worried about the number of large Trophy rams - a full curl rule Province wide is the first step. The next is removing outfitter allocations completely in any areas of risk, and reductions across the board for the rest.
 
IMO, if we stopped referring to a "trophy", this topic would die. Its that word alone that makes people think you are just out for horns or heads and leave the rest.

I also give up Wild TV about 18 months ago and don't miss it at all. I have congratulated lots of hunters on a good shot or a fine animal, but the high-fiving and dancing does not give a hunting or hunters a good image, no matter what the hosts or execs think.
 
norskie said:
I
I think if they are truly worried about the number of large Trophy rams - a full curl rule Province wide is the first step. The next is removing outfitter allocations completely in any areas of risk, and reductions across the board for the rest.
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Fish and Wildlife has acknowledged a degradation of habitat, said we are at carrying capacity for bighorns and Wishart has several peer reviewed papers saying that horn growth and nutrition are linked. I'd say the first step is addressing the habitat issue.....not putting a bandaid on a gaping wound by further limiting hunter opportunity.
 
blargon said:
I have congratulated lots of hunters on a good shot or a fine animal, but the high-fiving and dancing does not give a hunting or hunters a good image, no matter what the hosts or execs think.
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I hunted with a good buddy in Azerbaijan this year. We often refer to him as a hummingbird on Red Bull due to his excitable nature. You could have heard his excitement back in Canada when he took his ram. There were no cameras or instructions from network executives, just a guy that was so excited to be experiencing the hunt. I kind of found it refreshing. Kind of made me wonder why I'm so stoic after a kill. I think non-hunters would have taken a lot of good away from his reaction but hey, you may be right.
 
sheephunter said:
Fish and Wildlife has acknowledged a degradation of habitat, said we are at carrying capacity for bighorns and Wishart has several peer reviewed papers saying that horn growth and nutrition are linked. I'd say the first step is addressing the habitat issue.....not putting a bandaid on a gaping wound by further limiting hunter opportunity.
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I agree there are others at hand. Habitat is one - and I have perused Wishart as well.

The sample size, regional disparity, predator numbers and ease of access are all considerations too. Not to mention designing a data set that is robust...

The "solution" that is always presented is a limited entry draw, which indeed limits opportunity.

Full curl doesn't limit hunter opportunity at all, but rather would trim the harvest of mature Rams. I wonder if anyone would be vehemently opposed to that?
 
sheephunter said:
I hunted with a good buddy in Azerbaijan this year. We often refer to him as a hummingbird on Red Bull due to his excitable nature. You could have heard his excitement back in Canada when he took his ram. There were no cameras or instructions from network executives, just a guy that was so excited to be experiencing the hunt. I kind of found it refreshing. Kind of made me wonder why I'm so stoic after a kill. I think non-hunters would have taken a lot of good away from his reaction but hey, you may be right.
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I've seen guys excited, been shaky myself, and no doubt there are guys like your buddy. But on this station, its EVERY show and EVERY kill.

Its past the point where its even believable any more...
 
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