Has anyone had a run in with .......

[parrish]

Has anyone ever had a run in with an "anti-hunter" after a hunt in a woods, field, or any hunting activity?....I was just wondering because I come out of a woods from a morning hunt and had an old lady waiting on me at the road and tried to lecture me on why deer hunting was wrong we had a pretty long talk and both remained calm and listened to both sides she was unable to change my mind and I didn't change her mind but she did compliment me on being a nice gentleman and hoped the deer won and got away then went on her marry way,.........and I was wondering if any other hunters have had this same thing happen to them and how they handled it?

[Redhunter1012]

Not right out of the woods. Have been at gas stations and other places with deer in the truck and had people makes comments. Try to remember in these situations to respond as calmly and educated as possible. The best thing to do is smile and not let them know they piss you off:)

[parrish]

Yea this lady said it was unfair and I was like miss it's been two years since I shot one so I would say the deer has the advantage not me....I also said I don't need to shoot a deer to enjoy the outdoors I just like spending time in a peaceful setting.I was polite as I could be and just smiled and said nice talking to you and have a nice day and thanked her for talking with me.

[ohiosam]

Never in the field, but occasionally out in the world. I usually avoid getting in a much of discussion with them if it's obvious they have their minds made up. Sounds like you did good Parrish, I'm sure you didn't change her mind but coming in contact with an intelligent, well spoken, thoughtful hunter might soften her opinion of hunters a little.

We have a farm market here on the farm and I put my mounts in it when we are open. We get few thousand people through here in a season and the only time I've had anything close to a negative comment was one mom said "poor deer" when her toddler pointed to it. I get lots of positive comments about them, lots of parents pick up their little ones so they can get a better look. :)

Like Coonie has said in the killer thread, it's those in the middle we really have a chance to influence.

[benehunter]

I normally get some anti's comments at work. They have called me names like bambi killer and such. I try to keep it polite and sometimes if I think it's worth it, I explain them why I am not a killer and how I do more for the environment that they do.

[edaniel]

I have actually spent 6 LONGGGGGGG years debating with my future father in law and FINALLY, FINALLY he has even started to come around. I feel as though it has been an arduous process, but he actually is beginning to understand what this hunting thing is all about. Some people just need to see it first hand over and over again before it actually clicks. It finally clicked for him when his neighbors tore out about 900 yards of fence row and I explained how it would hurt the deer to no longer have it there.

[jackalope]

My dad and his buddy did back in the 70s out west. He said the were going hunting and these hippies were camped at the parking area and went out before the hunters to bang pots and make noise to scare the animals away.. This went on for 3 days before my dad and his buddy went to the top of a peak 400 yards away.. The hippies went on doing their thing and dad and his friend laid on this peak playing target practice with the hippy busses.. Mirrors, tires, radiators, motors. windows etc...

[edaniel]

I must say defending hunting time and time again from many different people can be extremely exhausting and i'm sure a lot of guys here can agree with that, but I guess it comes along with the territory. I believe we all must promote our sport in the highest regard possible, even though I would love to tell people where to stick it some times.

[deerhunter_matt]

Be polite is the way to go. I simply say that well-regulated hunting is the most effective and cost-efficient way to control wildlife populations, and it employs millions both directly and indirectly, all while contributing to major conservation efforts. Mention anything about jobs and the economy and the environment right now. They are big time buzzwords. I honestly don't know a single other activity that does so much good, how can you argue with that? ;)

[Siman08/OH]

On another very popular non-hunting website on the internet, i always get into debates about hunting. Everyone over their thinks im some long haired, rusty truck driving ignorant drunk. When in reality im a clean cut fireman :cool:

Most anti-hunting attitudes ive come across feel like its murder for people to kill animals. They won't budge an inch either. I usually just find some good references and politely state my case until they stop posting.

:coolgleamA:

[JJR]

I had one guy try telling me hunting was wrong... We had a discussion and I pointed out that ethical hunters are more concerned for the overall health of the animals and herd... I also notice if they are wearing Leather shoes or any leather items... and ask them do they know what the cow went through in order for them to have their leather items... and if they eat meat I ask them if they know where the meat comes from, what was the diet, and how it was processed.... That usually gets them thinking... and what else helps is that telling them about the programs where Hunters and Farmers contribute some meat so that they can feed the hungry...

[Azzy]

I don't give a flying rat's ass what other people think about what I do. Screw'em.

I did take some bannana bread to a lady (who is anti-hunting) when I tracked a deer onto her property that I shot and didn't ask permission first before stepping foot onto her land. I showed her how "nice" some of us can be. Otherwise....screw'em.

[coonskinner]

Be polite is the way to go. I simply say that well-regulated hunting is the most effective and cost-efficient way to control wildlife populations, and it employs millions both directly and indirectly, all while contributing to major conservation efforts. Mention anything about jobs and the economy and the environment right now. They are big time buzzwords. I honestly don't know a single other activity that does so much good, how can you argue with that? ;)this is why we should not be referring ourselves as killers in place of hunters...killers = murderers in most eyes where hunters = sportsman in most eyes...we want to keep it that way so future generations can hunt too...:D

[Azzy]

this is why we should not be referring ourselves as killers in place of hunters...killers = murderers in most eyes where hunters = sportsman in most eyes...we want to keep it that way so future generations can hunt too...:D

But we are killers. Blood thirsty killing machines that want to see animals bleeding from a gaping wound we delibrately caused. Yup....that's us.

[pstryjew]

I also notice if they are wearing Leather shoes or any leather items... and ask them do they know what the cow went through in order for them to have their leather items... and if they eat meat I ask them if they know where the meat comes from, what was the diet, and how it was processed.... That usually gets them thinking... and what else helps is that telling them about the programs where Hunters and Farmers contribute some meat so that they can feed the hungry...

If they eat meat, then remind them that they just prefer paying other people to do the killing for them.

Luckily I haven't been hassled at all. Actually, most people are very surprised to find out I hunt. I like the comments from the older folks whose parents hunted, they have fond memories about their parents/themselves. They are very accepting and some kind of sad that they don't hunt.

Pete