Post by dec on Jun 12, 2006 15:16:25 GMT -5
Here is an email that I sent to G5 today. And following it is their response.
G5 -
I know you have received a ton of email and are aware of the out cry against your association with the WHA. I just wanted to drop you an email as an avid archer and bow hunter who deeply cherishes the traditions of hunting.
In my opinion, what the WHA is proposing is simply the WORST idea that I have ever heard in regard to a "hunting" related issue. I believe that if this flies, this will be the death of hunting as we know it. Unfortunately news of this contest has already spread through the internet media faster than gas on a fire. If this makes it to the TV media, the public out cry is going to be huge. This type of contact puts such a bad light on the general hunting world. As hunters we fight a continual up hill battle every day against those who want to take away our hunting privileges. It is difficult to convince Joe Public that hunting is a necessary tool in the conservation and management of wild life populations. The public will either view such a competition in one of two ways. A) it will look at this as a viable means of hunting for sport, without killing animals and further fuel their fire to protect all animals from falling to a hunter's arrow or bullet OR B) they will look at as a cruel harassment of wildlife (WHICH IT IS) and associate this practice with what they feel is the cruelty in killing an animal through a hunter's arrow or bullet. We as hunters and those in the hunting industry do not need either of these scenarios.
While I understand that as a business, G5 and other companies might very well be able to see the business side (aka money) to this idea. As a business man myself, I can understand the allure of big money, un-tapped markets, or creating a market for a product/service. After all, that is part of what makes American business so appealing. However, as a business man, I have to know when to say when. When something crosses the lines of ethics or legal issues, one has to sit back and re-evaluate what is gained at the expense to others, the business, and the industry. It is my belief that a reputable hunting related company, such as G5, can do much more damage to their own business and the hunting industry by being involved with a venture such as the WHA. The ramifications will run deep if the public perceives the WHA events in what is feared my many. The hunting community as a whole will remember what they were against and who was involved the next time they purchase broad heads, sights, tools, peep sights, etc. The loss of sales will be more than just members of Archerytalk.com or bowsite.com. Other hunters will learn of this event and form their own opinions that effect their buying habits.
I've never used a G5 product. I was considering trying a few small game heads and the new peep sight. While my purchases would have been insignificant in the G5 sales figures, they are probably lost forever now.
G5 has made some impressive innovations in the bow hunting world in a short amount of time. I beg you to not let these innovations go to waste by associating your good name with the WHA and their circus side show they call "hunting".
Derek E. Craig, PE
Here is the response I just got back from G5
Hello Derek,
Thank you for your e-mail. We at G5 outdoors are very interested in your concerns. As of today we have withdrawn our support and sponsorship of the WHA. Our only intent was to grow archery. This is clearly not happening. Please explain to your friends and fellow hunters that G5 in no way intended to offend anyone and that we have listened to your voice. Thanks again for your correspondence.
Sincerely,
Peter Crawford
G5 Outdoors LLC
g5@graceeng.com
G5 -
I know you have received a ton of email and are aware of the out cry against your association with the WHA. I just wanted to drop you an email as an avid archer and bow hunter who deeply cherishes the traditions of hunting.
In my opinion, what the WHA is proposing is simply the WORST idea that I have ever heard in regard to a "hunting" related issue. I believe that if this flies, this will be the death of hunting as we know it. Unfortunately news of this contest has already spread through the internet media faster than gas on a fire. If this makes it to the TV media, the public out cry is going to be huge. This type of contact puts such a bad light on the general hunting world. As hunters we fight a continual up hill battle every day against those who want to take away our hunting privileges. It is difficult to convince Joe Public that hunting is a necessary tool in the conservation and management of wild life populations. The public will either view such a competition in one of two ways. A) it will look at this as a viable means of hunting for sport, without killing animals and further fuel their fire to protect all animals from falling to a hunter's arrow or bullet OR B) they will look at as a cruel harassment of wildlife (WHICH IT IS) and associate this practice with what they feel is the cruelty in killing an animal through a hunter's arrow or bullet. We as hunters and those in the hunting industry do not need either of these scenarios.
While I understand that as a business, G5 and other companies might very well be able to see the business side (aka money) to this idea. As a business man myself, I can understand the allure of big money, un-tapped markets, or creating a market for a product/service. After all, that is part of what makes American business so appealing. However, as a business man, I have to know when to say when. When something crosses the lines of ethics or legal issues, one has to sit back and re-evaluate what is gained at the expense to others, the business, and the industry. It is my belief that a reputable hunting related company, such as G5, can do much more damage to their own business and the hunting industry by being involved with a venture such as the WHA. The ramifications will run deep if the public perceives the WHA events in what is feared my many. The hunting community as a whole will remember what they were against and who was involved the next time they purchase broad heads, sights, tools, peep sights, etc. The loss of sales will be more than just members of Archerytalk.com or bowsite.com. Other hunters will learn of this event and form their own opinions that effect their buying habits.
I've never used a G5 product. I was considering trying a few small game heads and the new peep sight. While my purchases would have been insignificant in the G5 sales figures, they are probably lost forever now.
G5 has made some impressive innovations in the bow hunting world in a short amount of time. I beg you to not let these innovations go to waste by associating your good name with the WHA and their circus side show they call "hunting".
Derek E. Craig, PE
Here is the response I just got back from G5
Hello Derek,
Thank you for your e-mail. We at G5 outdoors are very interested in your concerns. As of today we have withdrawn our support and sponsorship of the WHA. Our only intent was to grow archery. This is clearly not happening. Please explain to your friends and fellow hunters that G5 in no way intended to offend anyone and that we have listened to your voice. Thanks again for your correspondence.
Sincerely,
Peter Crawford
G5 Outdoors LLC
g5@graceeng.com
