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?