Have to speak my peace.

[Lars]

The following statement fully reflects my views and opinions. If you are easily offended or cannot handle the thoughts and opinions of others then please do not read any further.


At what point did it become the business of others as to what we do or do not do with our lives and bodies. I have recently seen all the social media uproar over people posting photos of their hunting adventure. The comments have been so mean and cruel that it sickens me. I understand that hunting is not everyone's cup of tea and that is okay, but what gives you the right to berate and belittle a person just for doing something that you do not at all understand.


I live my life the way I want to, not the way that you want me to. I choose to hunt and fish and enjoy the outdoors, and that is none off your damn business. I choose not to go to church on Sunday's, not because I don't believe in God, but because it is not another persons place to tell me what or how to believe. I do not criticize you for being Different than me, or wish harm on you for not seeing things through my eyes. I do not care if you are gay or lesbian, the same way that they do not care that I'm straight. I do not care if you are Christian, Catholic, or Mormon, or atheist. I do not care that you are a man that chooses to dress like a women, or that you like to get whipped while being rode like a pony. Your life choices are exactly that, YOUR LIFE CHOICES, not mine or his or hers, but YOURS. I am proud of who I am and proud of my life beliefs, just as you should be of yours. But please do not condemn what you do not understand or what does not fit into your cup of tea.


Hunting to many people is inconceivable, yet they walk into a grocery store and buy a package of burger without second thought. They claim that hunting is murder and cruel and evil, yet buying beef is okay. So they went to Whole foods or sprouts and bought free range, antibiotic, hormone free beef and feel good about that decision, good for them. But guess what, a bullet still went through that animals head and then it was butchered and processed the same way that my elk was. The beef that you eat is raised for one sole purpose, to put food on your plate. The elk that currently fills my freezer has never known a fence or enclosure of any kind, it ate only the pure green grass and feed that mother natures summer sun provided. It was taken humanely and with Great respect. Yes there are people out there that hunt merely for sport, and while I do not agree with that, it is THEIR CHOICE, many of us do not need to hunt to fill the freezer but we so choose to do so out of tradition, family ties, and for the love of the outdoors.


We as hunters are the leaders in wildlife conservation. Our hunting dollars do more to improve wildlife habitat and secure a future for these animals than any of these "celebrities" would ever dream of doing. Organizations such as the Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many others are funded and operated by hunters and hunters dollars. This money goes back into the ground as ground reclamation and habitat improvement to better aid in the survival of the wildlife. If we are all just cold blooded killers than why would we continue to donate time and money to further help these species survive and grow?


I end with this, do not criticize that which you have not taken the time to understand. Do not belittle those who do not enjoy that which you do. I will continue to hunt and fish, and teach my kids the same values and ethics that I was taught as a child. If you do not like the way that I choose to live than that is okay with me, but do not ever look down your nose at me. We are all entitled to our opinions and thoughts.

[jhood001]

I choose not to go to church on Sunday's, not because I don't believe in God, but because it is not another persons place to tell me what or how to believe. I do not criticize you for being Different than me, or wish harm on you for not seeing things through my eyes. I do not care if you are gay or lesbian, the same way that they do not care that I'm straight. I do not care if you are Christian, Catholic, or Mormon, or atheist. I do not care that you are a man that chooses to dress like a women, or that you like to get whipped while being rode like a pony. Your life choices are exactly that, YOUR LIFE CHOICES, not mine or his or hers, but YOURS.

Neither the Dems or the GOP agree with your sentiments.

With that said - HUNT ON. And don't look back if it makes you happy.

*Unless your hunting happiness interferes with preservation tactics recommended by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

[Irving]

This is one of the many reasons that I try not to share many things on public sites like Facebook or Google +. A lot of people have nothing better to do than have an opinion about what others share. I share stuff here as it will get the proper praise or comments that I'm looking for. Pretty annoying, but that's the way people are and the way those social media sites are. People tend to forget that what you post, goes far beyond who you intended to show it to, and pretend that just because it is in their feed, that means you must have put it up just to personally irk then. I guess don't be quite as upset when your picture of your new running shoes doesn't get the warmest response from Jenny in a wheel chair who is a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. Otherwise, decent rant. Hunt on.

[Roger Ronas]

Sounds real close to total freedom.
feels great don't it.

[jhood001]

I guess don't be quite as upset when your picture of your new running shoes doesn't get the warmest response from Jenny in a wheel chair who is a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. Otherwise, decent rant. Hunt on.

YES. Public shaming should be reserved for those who take offense. Not for those who offend us.

[GilpinGuy]

I think you're pretty much preaching to the chior here for the most part, but yeah. I don't give a flying fuck what any anti hunter thinks. Piss off hippie.

[Irving]

Where is that old thread about "Why do you hunt?" so I can go back and post "For likes on Facebook!"

OP, I'm not insinuating that's why you hunt. :)

[GilpinGuy]

Where is that old thread about "Why do you hunt?" so I can go back and post "For likes on Facebook!"

OP, I'm not insinuating that's why you hunt. :)

This might be a good spot to revive that if it got lost in one of the hacks or whatever, at the risk of derailing of course. I don't remember seeing it. Might have been before my time.

[Big John]

You must be tolerant of everything the tolerance movement pushes on you or they will get very intolerant.

You must not put out for all to see anything that might offend someone. If you offend, you will be offended to the nth degree by those who preach for others not to offend.

We are circling the drain. It's coming faster than I expected.

[ray1970]

I don't hunt because I don't believe in killing.

I do believe killing things is a necessary evil that must take place to keep things in balance.

Therefore, I support the rights of hunters to legally participate in their sport.

Whether they hunt for meat or sport or a little bit of both is their choice.

Now, as far as the nasty people commenting on Facebook.... I wonder how upset they would be if a couple of homos posted up pictures from their gay wedding and people were slamming them for their lifestyle choice?

I'm all for gay marriage by the way. I mean why should heterosexual men be the only ones who have to suffer?

[roberth]

Excellent write up Lars.

People do not understand/accept the role of hunting in conservation, not do they understand that when a predatory species is reduced/removed from the cycle then man must do the work that species did. Hunting keeps deer and elk in check (outside of RMNP that is), hunting helps farmers, hunting is a tremendous sport (fresh air, sights, sounds, smells). I haven't been hunting but I've always supported it. I got my small game license this year, hope to use it.

[Ronin13]

To bring up a line that I like to use that would sum up the OP's point: What someone else eats doesn't make you shit.

Sadly this is an idea that is lost on the left.

[Firehaus]

Hunting keeps deer and elk in check (outside of RMNP that is)...

It's my understanding that they use a hired gun to thin out the herd or specific animals.


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[Aloha_Shooter]

It's not that it's lost on the left, that's the argument they used on conventional traditional American society to force the dropping of societal norms and acceptance of alternate viewpoints or lifestyles. The Left has simply gone full circle so that tolerance from society is no longer good enough, you must fully embrace their values (or lack thereof) or face blacklisting and persecution. Seeing how Hollywood blacklists conservatives or even moderate viewpoints today makes their battle to reform the "Hollywood Blacklist" all the more ironic since many on the blacklist WERE active Communists who admitted to using their positions to try to change American society and opinions.

[Chad4000]

Yeah Ive been reading about some of it too.. had a "friend" on facey comment "Karma will get you when you get ripped in half by an animal".

I was like ".... well that escalated quickly..." lol

[Ronin13]

It's not that it's lost on the left, that's the argument they used on conventional traditional American society to force the dropping of societal norms and acceptance of alternate viewpoints or lifestyles. The Left has simply gone full circle so that tolerance from society is no longer good enough, you must fully embrace their values (or lack thereof) or face blacklisting and persecution. Seeing how Hollywood blacklists conservatives or even moderate viewpoints today makes their battle to reform the "Hollywood Blacklist" all the more ironic since many on the blacklist WERE active Communists who admitted to using their positions to try to change American society and opinions.
Well put, but to add, their blaring hypocrisy goes one further and states not only must we fully embrace their differences and values, but ours be damned. Look at the lambasting of hunters (and even pet owners) by PITA. Every time a hunter (usually good looking females) posts something online about a recent hunt they're crucified by the anti-hunters (who seem to be either among or closely aligned with anti-gun crazies). The most disgusting and heinous vitriol comes out of the same people who whine and moan about "tolerance" and acceptance from those who do not agree or align with their beliefs. It's frankly getting old and I am getting sick of it.

[Ranger353]

Lars - well said and well respected sir. Rock on! [rockon]

[Bitter Clinger]

It was the Giraffe i'm guessing?

I don't hunt. I don't disagree with it though, I just can't kill something (prairie dogs don't count.....diseased little vermin) that isn't trying to hurt me. I am a very avid outdoors-man however. I love to camp, and trout fear my name, I love to fish. I fully support hunters. All my family on my fathers side are hunters, I think this fall I am gonna go duck hunting with them, I could shoot a duck, just not a elk. Don't mean I don't support you guys. I wish I could because I LOVE elk steak.

[Ronin13]

trout fear my name.
That sounds like a wonderful title for you!

Another thing that kind of confuses me, a lot of the anti-hunting/fishing crowd are for conservation, yet the fees and whatnot (plus many groups and individuals that advocate and support hunting/fishing) are some of the biggest contributors to conservation efforts around the nation. Kind of funny, don't you think?

[roberth]

It's my understanding that they use a hired gun to thin out the herd or specific animals.


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Specific animals huh, so the Forest Service knows better than Mother Nature which animals need to go?

The arrogance of our stupid government.

[Firehaus]

I imagine "specific" is problem animals that have been relocated away from people due to negative interaction and continue to return and interact making it a problem that needs dealt with.


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[Bitter Clinger]

That sounds like a wonderful title for you!

Another thing that kind of confuses me, a lot of the anti-hunting/fishing crowd are for conservation, yet the fees and whatnot (plus many groups and individuals that advocate and support hunting/fishing) are some of the biggest contributors to conservation efforts around the nation. Kind of funny, don't you think?

HAHA! yeah I need a title, been here to long without one!

Those types can't fathom that outdoorsmen almost 100% pay for conservation efforts, Hug an angler.

[Bitter Clinger]

If "they" knew how cattle are harvested for wally world they would support hunting, as the OP said. HIS meat has never been fenced in, neverraised for the sole purpose of eating, the animals he kills are about as "free range" and "organic" as one can get.

[Skip]

Agree 100% OP.

Don't let the busybodies get you down. There will always be something they complain about. I think it's a sign society is living a little too high on the hog--people with worthless opinions should be too busy to share them.

[roberth]

I imagine "specific" is problem animals that have been relocated away from people due to negative interaction and continue to return and interact making it a problem that needs dealt with.


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Yes, like problem bears etc. - I think the homeowner should take care of it but since those people are so chickenshit they steal our tax money and get the gov't to do it for them.

[Big E3]

If man was not intended to hunt why are most animals made out of tasty meat?

At the root of all anti hunters is an anti gunner. I have had to, as a gun collector, listen to the anti gunners since the 70's. Nothing has changed, people then as now would try to convince me that hunting was no longer necessary and therefore I didn't "need" any guns. Anti gun people have heard that hunting is why we have guns and they have crafted there argument against guns around their misconception that hunting is no longer necessary and people who do hunt are barbarians. I hunted a lot in my youth but haven't hunted since the 80's. I would still hunt if the need or opportunity arises or my barbarianism overwhelms me.

The internet and social media has just given more anti everything a bigger microphone.

[sniper7]

I'm just a cold blooded bunny killer. It's In my nature, and nature tastes really good.

[roberth]

I'm just a cold blooded bunny killer. It's In my nature, and nature tastes really good.

Bugs need more BBQ sauce tho...lots more.

[jerrymrc]

HAHA! yeah I need a title, been here to long without one!

Those types can't fathom that outdoorsmen almost 100% pay for conservation efforts, Hug an angler.

Your wish is my command..........[Flower]


Bugs need more BBQ sauce tho...lots more. We like "Thumper and Dumplings" [Beer]

[ACE2GOOD]

[Beer]
Cheers to that Lars

[vossman]

Shame on you for making sense. [Sarcasm2] Unfortunately I think it's only gonna get worse.

[roberth]

Your wish is my command..........[Flower]

We like "Thumper and Dumplings" [Beer]

Now I'm all hungry..again.

[UncleDave]

Bambi and mashed taters!

[brutal]

Your wish is my command..........[Flower]




hahahaha I see what you did there.

[brutal]

Someone tell me more about this "hunting" you speak of.

Is that like when I walk around in the mountains for 5 days with a heavy rifle every October the last 3 years?

[Lars]

Someone tell me more about this "hunting" you speak of.

Is that like when I walk around in the mountains for 5 days with a heavy rifle every October the last 3 years?

and this is why we call it hunting not killing��

[osok-308]

Hunting to many people is inconceivable, yet they walk into a grocery store and buy a package of burger without second thought. They claim that hunting is murder and cruel and evil, yet buying beef is okay. So they went to Whole foods or sprouts and bought free range, antibiotic, hormone free beef and feel good about that decision, good for them. But guess what, a bullet still went through that animals head and then it was butchered and processed the same way that my elk was. The beef that you eat is raised for one sole purpose, to put food on your plate. The elk that currently fills my freezer has never known a fence or enclosure of any kind, it ate only the pure green grass and feed that mother natures summer sun provided. It was taken humanely and with Great respect. Yes there are people out there that hunt merely for sport, and while I do not agree with that, it is THEIR CHOICE, many of us do not need to hunt to fill the freezer but we so choose to do so out of tradition, family ties, and for the love of the outdoors.


We as hunters are the leaders in wildlife conservation. Our hunting dollars do more to improve wildlife habitat and secure a future for these animals than any of these "celebrities" would ever dream of doing. Organizations such as the Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many others are funded and operated by hunters and hunters dollars. This money goes back into the ground as ground reclamation and habitat improvement to better aid in the survival of the wildlife. If we are all just cold blooded killers than why would we continue to donate time and money to further help these species survive and grow?

This describes why I will continue to hunt for the rest of my life and will continue to defend those that do. The bullet that came out of my rifle is no less humane than the one that put down that "free range" cow. Having worked on a ranch and knowing what constitutes free range is what drives me even more towards wanting real free range meat in my freezer.

[Ronin13]

Specific animals huh, so the Forest Service knows better than Mother Nature which animals need to go?

The arrogance of our stupid government.
I believe some of these "specific" animals would be either non-native or invasive species. Did you know that elk are not native to CO? And with the limitation of their "natural" predators (I use that term loosely because before modern time since they weren't here there aren't really any natural predators) due to urbanization and development, they have become overpopulated which puts the species at risk of famine and disease. Thinning the herd will actually help them. I don't usually put a lot of faith in our government, but DOW does do a lot of good in my eyes.

[Lars]

I believe some of these "specific" animals would be either non-native or invasive species. Did you know that elk are not native to CO? And with the limitation of their "natural" predators (I use that term loosely because before modern time since they weren't here there aren't really any natural predators) due to urbanization and development, they have become overpopulated which puts the species at risk of famine and disease. Thinning the herd will actually help them. I don't usually put a lot of faith in our government, but DOW does do a lot of good in my eyes.


Just curious what you mean that elk are not native to Colorado? Elk migrated to this continent during the last ice age and have been here ever since. While they were almost exterminated in the early 1900's due to over hunting, they were never completely wiped out and have recovered greatly.

[crays]

Just curious what you mean that elk are not native to Colorado? Elk migrated to this continent during the last ice age and have been here ever since. While they were almost exterminated in the early 1900's due to over hunting, they were never completely wiped out and have recovered greatly.

And, they were very prominent on the plains in the early days, prior to westward expansion of "civilization".

[Ronin13]

Just curious what you mean that elk are not native to Colorado? Elk migrated to this continent during the last ice age and have been here ever since. While they were almost exterminated in the early 1900's due to over hunting, they were never completely wiped out and have recovered greatly.
Elk migrated here (as in N. America), yes, but their habitat was the northern areas of Montana, WY, Canada, Idaho, Alaska. They were introduced to Colorado instead of migrating here... at least that's according to a biologist/DOW officer I know who seems to be quite knowledgeable about animals and whatnot in this state.

[Irving]

I am under the impression that Elk are plains animals by nature, and are not native to the mountains. I can't imagine many plains animals that wouldn't have migrated to Colorado on their own though.

I once had a neighbor tell me that all the trees in Colorado that weren't located on a mountain were introduced by settlers. I don't know if I believe that either.

[Lars]

Elk migrated here (as in N. America), yes, but their habitat was the northern areas of Montana, WY, Canada, Idaho, Alaska. They were introduced to Colorado instead of migrating here... at least that's according to a biologist/DOW officer I know who seems to be quite knowledgeable about animals and whatnot in this state.

So your saying that elk have only been in Colorado for maybe the last 100 years or so? Or that they where basically domesticated and herded here by the native Americans? I have to question this info, I find it hard to believe that an animal that had a range from the south west deserts all the way to the Canadian Rockies had to be introduced to the area right in the middle of their range. In the early 1900's elk where nearly wiped out in the Colorado area but never fully wiped out. Extensive transplant efforts where conducted to bring more animals and new blood lines into the remaining herds. That may be where your DOW friend is getting their INTRODUCTION info. And to Irvin's comment, yes the elk where a plains animal but not exclusively. There mass move to the mountains was pushed by the settlement and pressure of humans.

[davsel]

I believe elk once covered most of North America - prior to European settlement. They were then hunted into near extinction in Colorado in the 19th century. They were then reintroduced to Colorado from remaining northern herds and were protected and allowed to repopulate.

ETA: http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/elk.htm

Elk History in Rocky Mountain National Park

North American elk, or wapiti, were once plentiful in the Rocky Mountain National Park area. As Euro-Americans settled the Estes Valley, they hunted elk intensively sending much of the meat to market in Denver. By 1890 few, if any, elk remained.

In 1913 and 1914, before the national park's establishment, The Estes Valley Improvement Association and United States Forest Service transplanted 49 elk from Yellowstone National Park to this area. Around the same time, an all-out effort began to eliminate predators - including the gray wolf and the grizzly bear. The resulting decrease in predators and hands-off management of elk hastened the recovery of Rocky's elk population. The population grew to record high numbers in the late 1990's causing deterioration of vegetation and other wildlife communities.

The current Elk and Vegetation Management Plan addresses these issues. The plan's goal is to maintain a more natural population of 600-800 elk in the park's low-elevation valleys during the winter. See the Elk and Vegetation Management page for more information.

[Ronin13]

What Davsel posted could be the case. All I know is that they're overpopulated now and starting to become a problem in a lot of areas west of Denver.

[Firehaus]

Before European settlement, an estimated ten million elk roamed the North American continent. The American elk (Cervus elaphus), or wapiti, a Native American word meaning “white rump,” once had the largest range of any deer species in North America. For centuries, the elk has been a picturesque icon of the American west and has provided recreational opportunities for hunters, photographers, artists, and other wildlife enthusiasts. Unregulated hunting, grazing competition from domestic livestock, and habitat destruction from unrestrained timber harvesting, urbanization, and westward expansion throughout the nineteenth century reduced American elk populations to less than 100,000 individuals continent-wide by the early 1900s. Fortunately, the elk’s ability to use a variety of habitats, its opportunistic feeding habits, and positive response to management efforts...

More at link.

http://www.wildlifehc.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/American-Elk.pdf


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[GilpinGuy]

It really doesn't matter what was 200 years ago. We have to manage what we have now. Even if practices in the past were wastefull by todays standards.

Like folks wanting reparations, get over it. It was the distant past. Live in the present.

[Firehaus]

Some of us might like historical info, just because. I know I do and it doesn't mean I want an extra free tag for some kind of reparations. Wait a minute, I'd take an extra tag so scratch that.


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[Irving]

My wife has a fake Facebook account just so she can comment and "Like" things she actually cares about without raising the ire of people on her real account. To me, that just begs the question of why bother at all?

[KestrelBike]

My wife has a fake Facebook account just so she can comment and "Like" things she actually cares about without raising the ire of people on her real account. To me, that just begs the question of why bother at all?

I rediscovered ancient confuscius secret that Facebook brought me absolutely zero benefit, and just annoyance and grief. So, I quit. That and zuckerberg & co. are complete toolbag dicks.

[Jer]

The following statement fully reflects my views and opinions. If you are easily offended or cannot handle the thoughts and opinions of others then please do not read any further.


At what point did it become the business of others as to what we do or do not do with our lives and bodies. I have recently seen all the social media uproar over people posting photos of their hunting adventure. The comments have been so mean and cruel that it sickens me. I understand that hunting is not everyone's cup of tea and that is okay, but what gives you the right to berate and belittle a person just for doing something that you do not at all understand.


I live my life the way I want to, not the way that you want me to. I choose to hunt and fish and enjoy the outdoors, and that is none off your damn business. I choose not to go to church on Sunday's, not because I don't believe in God, but because it is not another persons place to tell me what or how to believe. I do not criticize you for being Different than me, or wish harm on you for not seeing things through my eyes. I do not care if you are gay or lesbian, the same way that they do not care that I'm straight. I do not care if you are Christian, Catholic, or Mormon, or atheist. I do not care that you are a man that chooses to dress like a women, or that you like to get whipped while being rode like a pony. Your life choices are exactly that, YOUR LIFE CHOICES, not mine or his or hers, but YOURS. I am proud of who I am and proud of my life beliefs, just as you should be of yours. But please do not condemn what you do not understand or what does not fit into your cup of tea.


Hunting to many people is inconceivable, yet they walk into a grocery store and buy a package of burger without second thought. They claim that hunting is murder and cruel and evil, yet buying beef is okay. So they went to Whole foods or sprouts and bought free range, antibiotic, hormone free beef and feel good about that decision, good for them. But guess what, a bullet still went through that animals head and then it was butchered and processed the same way that my elk was. The beef that you eat is raised for one sole purpose, to put food on your plate. The elk that currently fills my freezer has never known a fence or enclosure of any kind, it ate only the pure green grass and feed that mother natures summer sun provided. It was taken humanely and with Great respect. Yes there are people out there that hunt merely for sport, and while I do not agree with that, it is THEIR CHOICE, many of us do not need to hunt to fill the freezer but we so choose to do so out of tradition, family ties, and for the love of the outdoors.


We as hunters are the leaders in wildlife conservation. Our hunting dollars do more to improve wildlife habitat and secure a future for these animals than any of these "celebrities" would ever dream of doing. Organizations such as the Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many others are funded and operated by hunters and hunters dollars. This money goes back into the ground as ground reclamation and habitat improvement to better aid in the survival of the wildlife. If we are all just cold blooded killers than why would we continue to donate time and money to further help these species survive and grow?


I end with this, do not criticize that which you have not taken the time to understand. Do not belittle those who do not enjoy that which you do. I will continue to hunt and fish, and teach my kids the same values and ethics that I was taught as a child. If you do not like the way that I choose to live than that is okay with me, but do not ever look down your nose at me. We are all entitled to our opinions and thoughts.

http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/slow_clap_citizen_kane.gif



It amazes me how many people thought this post was about hunting.

[Lars]

http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/slow_clap_citizen_kane.gif



It amazes me how many people thought this post was about hunting.

Thank you sir. I did elaborate on the hunting theme but only to elaborate my point of people minding their own. And it definitely took a side track. Thank you for bringing it back on point.