Hunting: Me Sport or We Tradition?

Like most of you reading this, I was introduced to hunting at an early age. Tagging along at my father’s side sparked the passion for hunting I still hold today. Growing up in central Illinois, we chased whitetails, turkeys, pheasant, quail, and rabbit. I’m no ol’ timer by any means, but I have seen a dramatic change in hunting from then to now, and I’m not a fan.

THEN:

I’ll never forget the memories made at deer camp the first four or five years I started hunting. The first step into the cabin, on a shelf, was an album full of pictures from years I was still in diapers. The funny part is a lot of the pictures weren’t of successful kills. They were pictures of the guys playing cards, standing around the campfire, grilling out, laughing, and enjoying a few cold ones. Camaraderie was evident and anyone could tell they had a good time at deer camp. I was fortunate to be a part of deer camp for a while, but over time fewer and fewer people came. Eventually, no one showed up for deer camp. I was crushed and puzzled at the same time. I asked myself what was going on. What happened in that short time frame?

NOW:

Not long ago, I attended an Illinois Whitetail Alliance meeting in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois Whitetail Alliance was formed by deer hunters across the state who were concerned about the significant deer harvest declines and who wanted to raise awareness about how the IDNR currently manages the deer herd. The end goal is to work side by side with the DNR to develop tools to effectively manage the deer herd. The DNR director and staff, including wildlife biologists, were in attendance and ready to address our concerns. Prior to the meeting, hunters all across the state were made aware of the meeting and were told it was a chance to finally voice their concerns face to face with the DNR. Can you guess how many concerned hunters showed up? Approximately twenty people showed up. Quite frankly, I was pissed! A number of deer hunters said they’d be there and were the first to express their concerns on the deer herd via social media, but they didn’t attend the meeting. This is just one of many reasons why I believe the tradition of hunting is on its way out and the sport of hunting is moving in. Hunting has become a me sport.

THE CULPRIT:

There is no doubt in my mind that the culprit is social media. Don’t get me wrong. Not all social media is bad, but I’ve noticed a growing trend that is not for the good. Forgive me as I relate mostly to whitetail hunting, but this trend goes for about every species I see posted on social media sites. To each their own on the style of hunting he or she does, but who are we to judge others’ success? If the hunter or hunters did everything by the books and are happy with their harvest, why does it offend others? I see hunters lambasting other hunters because the animal wasn’t big enough or old enough in their mind. I know some hunters who refrain from putting their stories on social media because they’re worried what others will think of them. Personally, I enjoy watching an animal grow to full maturity before shooting it and have a management program in place that my family and I have followed for the last five to six years now. Does this mean I should degrade another hunter who doesn’t follow my plan? It’s clear to me that hunting has become a pissing contest. Everyone is wanting their turn in the spotlight, screaming “Look at me!” Who can shoot the largest or rarest animal is what it boils down to. To some, the cost, place, or legality of it doesn’t matter. It’s the fame they are seeking. Not only are hunters being degraded by other hunters, but the respect for the animal is also being thrown out the window. How many pictures do you see of an animal’s loin on social media vs a trophy shot of an animal? How many articles do you read on how to kill big bucks vs how to prepare a property to provide for all wildlife? How many pictures do you see of hunter fellowship vs pictures of individuals with their trophies? I’m sure you know what you see most often. Believe it or not, I’m guilty of some of these things. It’s easy to get caught up in the current trend before you realize what you’re doing. Is this really what we want to promote to future generations?

Failing to pay respect to the animal is a pet peeve of mine. Just this past year I was criticized for waiting until the next day to post pictures on social media. This person thought it was ignorant to wait until the next day to take pictures. Personally, I’ll take a half day doing pictures with an animal I shoot. It’s not fame I’m seeking. I’m paying my respect to the animal. In many cases, I wait years for that one shot to finally come, and when successful, I want to do everything possible to remember that day for the rest of my life. Bottom line, I think it’s time we start acting like adults and create a new image for the future generations showing respect not only to others, but to the animals as well.

THE FUTURE:

Before you set foot on your next hunting adventure, ask yourself what hunting has done for you. Hunting is more than a sport to me; it’s a tradition that dates back to the beginning of mankind. Hunting is life and death decisions, something no sport can compare to. Life lessons are taught throughout hunting, knowingly and unknowingly. Personally, hunting has led me to the majority of my closest friends today, including my wife, and it has provided some of my greatest memories. I’d hate to see our rights to hunting stripped away because of big egos and disrespectful people. Whether you like it or not, the young are watching your every step and they will follow your path. It’s up to you to decide what path that’s going to be.