I sent them a letter a year ago on this very subject. To make a long story short, I believe it is seen as not a good fight. (read:waste of money/resources)Caboose said:OFAH standing up for handgun hunting? That'll be the day....
Handgun Hunting (positive posts only. NO #####ing!)
- Thread starter tootall
- Start date
Just came back from having a chat with a guy down the street. Saw him tinkering out in the yard as I was driving by and asked if he wanted to pop out for coffee.
This guy is not a hunter and his shooting experiences consist of a .22 when he was a kid. So off the cuff while sipping some java I asked him what he thought of hangun hunting. His immediate response with wide eyes was "WITH A HANDGUN?" loud enough for half the patrons to hear. I said "yes" and he proceded to think about it for a few minutes.
He then said "well, I suppose its not a bad idea, especially in areas with bears and cougars". I then asked if he thought wounded game would be an issue and he again got a bit noisy And said " well could just anybody get a handgun and go hunting?" I explained that presently handgun hunting was not allowed and then proceded to explain the procedure for a person to acquire a handgun. After I was finished his response was that he doubted anyone who went through all that "rigamaroll" (his words) would not likely be a problem.
Now I realize I don't live in Toronto, or Vancouver, but the fact remains we all watch the same TV and read the same newspapers. Here's a guy with no personal interest in the matter who doesn't see a problem.
So is he a rarity? Or are we busy convincing ourselves that the public's perception will be much more than it really might be?
Here's a challenge: Find someone and ask them what they think. Don't pick avid hunters or shooters. Try it with a casual aquaintance and post your findings here. Let's see if we can get an idea of what we are really up against. I wonder if it's really as bad as some here may have us believe.
This guy is not a hunter and his shooting experiences consist of a .22 when he was a kid. So off the cuff while sipping some java I asked him what he thought of hangun hunting. His immediate response with wide eyes was "WITH A HANDGUN?" loud enough for half the patrons to hear. I said "yes" and he proceded to think about it for a few minutes.
He then said "well, I suppose its not a bad idea, especially in areas with bears and cougars". I then asked if he thought wounded game would be an issue and he again got a bit noisy And said " well could just anybody get a handgun and go hunting?" I explained that presently handgun hunting was not allowed and then proceded to explain the procedure for a person to acquire a handgun. After I was finished his response was that he doubted anyone who went through all that "rigamaroll" (his words) would not likely be a problem.
Now I realize I don't live in Toronto, or Vancouver, but the fact remains we all watch the same TV and read the same newspapers. Here's a guy with no personal interest in the matter who doesn't see a problem.
So is he a rarity? Or are we busy convincing ourselves that the public's perception will be much more than it really might be?
Here's a challenge: Find someone and ask them what they think. Don't pick avid hunters or shooters. Try it with a casual aquaintance and post your findings here. Let's see if we can get an idea of what we are really up against. I wonder if it's really as bad as some here may have us believe.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Great idea! A great way to sample public reaction and perception. And with friends, neighbours and other associates, a good forum to start out on in possibly 'changing' their misconceptions.
I am not going to get in to the legal/soccer mom/etc. angle, since it's been mentioned a few times here.
I would like to see a HGH simply because it would be a welcome change and a new challenge. There would be pros and cons to hunting with a pistol rather than a rifle.
First the pros:
-Lighter
-smaller (doesn't get hung up on fences, tree branches, etc.)
-easier for mobility impared and physically disabled hunters to use.
-adds extra challenge to a hunt.
-easier to use in a blind or stand. (compact size)
Cons:
-Harder to hold steady and less accurate over longer distances (increased danger to hunters in the area)
-'scary' factor with joe schmoe and law enforcement
-obviously the biggest con is; that current laws and restrictions prohibit it, but, again, that is the original purpose of this thread, so I digress...
That was just off the top of my head, so if anyone has any more to add, I'm all ears.
Nic
I would like to see a HGH simply because it would be a welcome change and a new challenge. There would be pros and cons to hunting with a pistol rather than a rifle.
First the pros:
-Lighter
-smaller (doesn't get hung up on fences, tree branches, etc.)
-easier for mobility impared and physically disabled hunters to use.
-adds extra challenge to a hunt.
-easier to use in a blind or stand. (compact size)
Cons:
-Harder to hold steady and less accurate over longer distances (increased danger to hunters in the area)
-'scary' factor with joe schmoe and law enforcement
-obviously the biggest con is; that current laws and restrictions prohibit it, but, again, that is the original purpose of this thread, so I digress...
That was just off the top of my head, so if anyone has any more to add, I'm all ears.
Nic
HGH cannot be anymore dangerous to hunters in the area, NCressman, than a rife. If one squeezes the trigger only when on target then wherein lies the danger to others. The bullet from a pistol travels a shorter distance. I think you are perpatuating a myth and actually believe in it.
Well, I still haven't been able to corner the CO on this but I did ask another guy this morning.
I asked for an off the cuff response to the idea of handgun hunting, and his imediate response was "well, I don't know." Then he thought about it for a bit and said There have been times when it sure would have been nice to have a handgun handy in the bush for bears. I explained to the best of my knowledge the wilderness ATC, and then explained my quest for handgunning as a primary tool for hunting. He commented, with no prompting, that it would likely be a close range tool and then asked about where someone could use one. I suggested anywhere a rifle could be used and he agreed.
I should have told him gitrdun was inviting all handgunners down to his area.
I asked for an off the cuff response to the idea of handgun hunting, and his imediate response was "well, I don't know." Then he thought about it for a bit and said There have been times when it sure would have been nice to have a handgun handy in the bush for bears. I explained to the best of my knowledge the wilderness ATC, and then explained my quest for handgunning as a primary tool for hunting. He commented, with no prompting, that it would likely be a close range tool and then asked about where someone could use one. I suggested anywhere a rifle could be used and he agreed.
I should have told him gitrdun was inviting all handgunners down to his area.
- Location
- Guelph, Ontario
Hi Guys,
Im pretty new here and to hunting as i have not taken the hunters course yet. Scheduled for two weeks from now, cant wait. But I am very familiar with guns as I have used them a good portion of my life and was in the army for a few years. So as a representation of Canadian society i would have very liberal ideas on the use of guns. To be honest with you i dont really see a need. Thats going to be your toughest sell. Even in this forum of pro-gun enthusiasts there is no consensus. It will be very difficult to convince John Q Public especially with rising gun violence in the major metropolitan areas. Irrespective of what the statistics show. (i dont know) It is being very highly televised. So the perception is there. How will you as a group compete with mass media looking for ratings?
My two cents anyway
Im pretty new here and to hunting as i have not taken the hunters course yet. Scheduled for two weeks from now, cant wait. But I am very familiar with guns as I have used them a good portion of my life and was in the army for a few years. So as a representation of Canadian society i would have very liberal ideas on the use of guns. To be honest with you i dont really see a need. Thats going to be your toughest sell. Even in this forum of pro-gun enthusiasts there is no consensus. It will be very difficult to convince John Q Public especially with rising gun violence in the major metropolitan areas. Irrespective of what the statistics show. (i dont know) It is being very highly televised. So the perception is there. How will you as a group compete with mass media looking for ratings?
My two cents anyway
Well for one, we'd demonstrate to the public that we use the sights on guns we don't steal, we are held accountable for our actions, members of pro-gun and fish and game clubs are heavily insured at little cost because of the rarity of accidents/claims. It's not about need, all we need is food, shelter and companionship all else is a bonus and the whole point of living is to get as many bonuses as we can before we die. I have never gone hunting in a major metropolitain area so I refuse to be held accountable for the actions of ####-bag drug dealers. It's time for us to quit apologizing, stand up, be counted and let's have some fun while we're still young.
Perhaps a poster at ranges/shops inviting people to write the CFO, Province (who?) and anyone else suggestion.
Simple image of a bear, handgun, deer, and type that reads: Handgun Hunting in Canada: Would you like to?
Content?
LH
Simple image of a bear, handgun, deer, and type that reads: Handgun Hunting in Canada: Would you like to?
Content?
LH
Need is one of the most important issues to address. There is a perception that the 'need' is the 'need to act like a bunch of cowboys and practice 'quick draw' on deer and strut around camp chewin' tabacca 'n spittin' 'n the like'.
On another thread i identified 3 clear areas of need, where a handgun would be a BETTER choice than a rifle. I won't retype it, but suffice to say there are legitimate needs. That message would have to get out there to gain support.
Support in the community is the biggest factor. This won't go thru without a significant amount of political will and capital. Look how we're still struggling with the 12.x stuff with the feds, and that should have been a much easier fight. We need to be able to apply pressure - and pressure comes from lots of bodies willing to vocally and actively support it.
Another related thought.
There are going to be some further changed made to this board soon.
would you like to see a dedicated HGH forum set up?
Understand that the decision is not up to me, whether we do so or not. I'm just trying to get some input as to interest. (the 55 page marathon thread would seem to indicate some interest!)
There are going to be some further changed made to this board soon.
would you like to see a dedicated HGH forum set up?
Understand that the decision is not up to me, whether we do so or not. I'm just trying to get some input as to interest. (the 55 page marathon thread would seem to indicate some interest!)
