Post by DJH on Mar 17, 2006 22:11:08 GMT -5
FEAR OF LOSS
I try very hard to understand why some people are so incredibly vehement about the crossbow and those of us who support it. I believe that, for the most part, those of us who find no fault with the crossbow truly believe that helping to grow our hunting family is not only good and positive for our hunting heritage, but it is necessary if we are to keep ourselves from being driven into extinction by the animal rights fanatics (ARF’s). I am sure that many of us have a hard time understanding why anyone would not view the big picture in a similar manner.
Unfortunately, for some, the sport of archery is about killing the next world record buck that will make one an instant millionaire because of his or her extraordinary hunting skills. The truth of the matter is that most of us don’t give a rip about such meaningless objectives! For us, the bowhunting experience is about the camaraderie, introducing others to the sport, and just plain enjoying the wonder that God has created. If we get lucky and are able to put some healthy, nutritious meat in the freezer, we have collected a bonus.
For those that pursue the glory and recognition that accompanies a successful trophy hunter, there is an underlying fear that motivates their behavior. If too many people go into the woods during the bow season (which is always a month or two before the gun season) then someone else may kill that big buck and rob the trophy hunter of his fame, glory and ego. It wouldn’t be too terrible if it was one of my good buddies, but it will probably be some dummy (like DJH, for instance) that just happens to be in the right place at the right time who couldn’t pour urine out of a boot if the instructions were written on the sole.
I could be wrong, but I do believe that this is part of the problem – THE FEAR OF LOSS! The more folks that are in the woods, the greater the chance of that big buck getting nailed. The truth of the matter is that I, personally, could give a rip about that big buck. In my neck of the woods, they call me “Doe Boy”! Now don’t get me wrong, my Friends! If a big buck happens to amble by, my bow will be on full automatic if you can do such a thing with a compound.
The bottom line is that I am not out in the woods to kill the new world record. I am there to enjoy the experience, my beloved friend and all that God made for us to enjoy in the wild. I believe that is all each of you folks expect from a hunt, too. And I ask you, what is so threatening about such a benign attitude and philosophy. I guess it just shows how little class we have.
If having class means that I have to go about tearing other hunters apart, hunters who are my brothers and sisters, and trying to prevent them from enjoying the thrill of the bowhunt, then I guess I am destined to be an classless guy! The fear of loss doesn’t plaque my life. Instead, I want to share the experience with everyone who will listen and all who are interested. I want to get as many new folks out there to share the beauty, the excitement and the bounty of the hunt. And if that makes me a bad person, then I am in wonderful company, because I know that each and everyone of you share the same loving feelings for our sport, the wilderness and those who are our brothers and sisters.
I know some will read this and want to puke at the sentiment, but you know what? At fifty-seven years old, I don’t care. Puke away! What I do know in my heart is that if hunters don’t start working together and forgetting about their fear of loss, we will all be screwed ROYALLY! And I have a great deal of concern about folks who will put their own selfish motives ahead of the overall good of the sport of hunting (and fishing, too). I don’t care what you hunt or what you hunt with. If you are a hunter, my friends and I will fight for your right to pursue and harvest natural resources to our dying breath.
I try very hard to understand why some people are so incredibly vehement about the crossbow and those of us who support it. I believe that, for the most part, those of us who find no fault with the crossbow truly believe that helping to grow our hunting family is not only good and positive for our hunting heritage, but it is necessary if we are to keep ourselves from being driven into extinction by the animal rights fanatics (ARF’s). I am sure that many of us have a hard time understanding why anyone would not view the big picture in a similar manner.
Unfortunately, for some, the sport of archery is about killing the next world record buck that will make one an instant millionaire because of his or her extraordinary hunting skills. The truth of the matter is that most of us don’t give a rip about such meaningless objectives! For us, the bowhunting experience is about the camaraderie, introducing others to the sport, and just plain enjoying the wonder that God has created. If we get lucky and are able to put some healthy, nutritious meat in the freezer, we have collected a bonus.
For those that pursue the glory and recognition that accompanies a successful trophy hunter, there is an underlying fear that motivates their behavior. If too many people go into the woods during the bow season (which is always a month or two before the gun season) then someone else may kill that big buck and rob the trophy hunter of his fame, glory and ego. It wouldn’t be too terrible if it was one of my good buddies, but it will probably be some dummy (like DJH, for instance) that just happens to be in the right place at the right time who couldn’t pour urine out of a boot if the instructions were written on the sole.
I could be wrong, but I do believe that this is part of the problem – THE FEAR OF LOSS! The more folks that are in the woods, the greater the chance of that big buck getting nailed. The truth of the matter is that I, personally, could give a rip about that big buck. In my neck of the woods, they call me “Doe Boy”! Now don’t get me wrong, my Friends! If a big buck happens to amble by, my bow will be on full automatic if you can do such a thing with a compound.
The bottom line is that I am not out in the woods to kill the new world record. I am there to enjoy the experience, my beloved friend and all that God made for us to enjoy in the wild. I believe that is all each of you folks expect from a hunt, too. And I ask you, what is so threatening about such a benign attitude and philosophy. I guess it just shows how little class we have.
If having class means that I have to go about tearing other hunters apart, hunters who are my brothers and sisters, and trying to prevent them from enjoying the thrill of the bowhunt, then I guess I am destined to be an classless guy! The fear of loss doesn’t plaque my life. Instead, I want to share the experience with everyone who will listen and all who are interested. I want to get as many new folks out there to share the beauty, the excitement and the bounty of the hunt. And if that makes me a bad person, then I am in wonderful company, because I know that each and everyone of you share the same loving feelings for our sport, the wilderness and those who are our brothers and sisters.
I know some will read this and want to puke at the sentiment, but you know what? At fifty-seven years old, I don’t care. Puke away! What I do know in my heart is that if hunters don’t start working together and forgetting about their fear of loss, we will all be screwed ROYALLY! And I have a great deal of concern about folks who will put their own selfish motives ahead of the overall good of the sport of hunting (and fishing, too). I don’t care what you hunt or what you hunt with. If you are a hunter, my friends and I will fight for your right to pursue and harvest natural resources to our dying breath.
