I've noticed more and more anti hunting comments on here. Someone always gives certain animals a pass, so they are down on anyone who isn't as enlightened as they think they are. I remember when the anti hunting movement was much worse when CASH and PETA were being successful with legislation. I just can't understand ever questioning why someone would hunt or kill an animal if it's legal to do so. It seems to me we're sometimes our own worst enemies.

I agree.

So much at play to say what would cause it, but I can't say I've noticed an increase on here, per se. 'Always gonna have the human nature element that everyone oughta do things my way; I don't think you'll ever get away from that. That gets into a lot of the subjects on here, HF/LF, caliber that's ethical, hunting over a feeder, etc. Very, very few people truly adhere to the "different strokes for different folks" philosophy. They'd rather look down on others, or otherwise measure certain body parts with each other, metaphorically speaking.

Then you have you're creep factor of the media/group think influence. "Animals are sentient", yada, yada. We were with our son and our granddaughter at Toy Story 4 yesterday. They played a preview of the new Lion King sequel coming out. The male "King" lion is talking to the cub about how a true leader figures out a way to give. In real life, not Disney, there isn't a cotton-picking thing "giving" about a male lion. But you know what? For a vast majority of children in America these days, the philosophy in The Lion King is as close to any form of religion they're ever gonna get. And, society is drilling into everyone that you are your own god, and that's where the "I'm more enlightened than you are" attitude comes from.

I do give certain animals a pass, but I’m about as far away from being an anti hunter than a guy can get. We don’t eat rabbit these days, so I don’t shoot em. And I let foxes and bobcats have a pass. Some folks give snakes a pass.

There are anti hunters in the family, all by marriage. A SiL’s sister won’t even visit our place due to deer heads on the wall. That’s a bit extreme, seems to me, but so be it.

To quote those who have said this previously on this forum about a number of things concerning hunting, "just because it is legal doesn't make it right." What people consider to be "right" varies from individual to individual.

Many of the folks that you are perceiving as our own worst enemies are often in a position where they feel like they are fighting the good fight against those who are hunting's own worst enemies.

That is part of it. Another part of it that I see seems to stem from the attitude that "If you don't hunt what I hunt, for the reasons I hunt, with the methods I hunt, you are doing it wrong" mindset.

The most common I've noticed are where someone posts a pic or tells about shooting something, other than a deer, and inevitably someone asks "Why did you kill a _______?"

Like what? A rabbit? A squirrel? Possum? I musta missed a thread, your gonna have to be more specific.

Killing random animals for kicks is something I look down on.

That certainly doesn’t make me anti-hunting.

In the last year I've seen Why did you kill the jackrabbit, Why did you kill the fox, Why did you kill the badger ect ect.

In the last year I've seen "why did you kill the jackrabbit", "why did you kill the fox", "why did you kill the possum" , ect ect. Nothing about it being questionable on the hunter's part, but rather the person asking the question doesn't agree with the killing of that species of animal.

I want quail. And turkeys. I'm killin' every racoon, skunk, oppossum, armadillo, and yes, fox that I can get loaded and get a bead on. TPWD agrees with me. What the bunny huggers think doesn't bother me one wit. 'Probably gonna shoot a jack, open it up and do an African-style drag over the ranch's roads, hang it up and do some calling to see what shows up.

That doesn’t make them anti-hunting.

It does in my book. What if I did it to everyone who talks or posts a pic of every hog or deer they killed. Call people out and question everyone about why they are doing what they are doing, implying they've done something wrong. Does that seem right to you?

Guys - the REAL issue is simply social media itself - and yes a forum like this is social media. On top of all that is twitter, facebook, instagram, and on and on.

This is a hunting forum - if you do not agree with animals being shot then go somewhere else. Nobody should have to defend taking an animal in a legal manner

I agree. It would not offend me if this forum added a rule stating you aren't allowed to disparage or criticize legal hunting methods or members that hunt legally. This is the Texas HUNTING Forum, is it not?

AMEN ! Imagine a young hunter going out and predator calling for the first time. They call in a fox, make a perfect shot and post their proud pics on here. Then they read people asking why they killed the fox like they've committed a felony. If that's not negative to our sport, I can't imagine what is.

So if I dont think clubbing baby seals is ok, I’m anti-hunting?

Is this really what your worried about? Talk about 1st World problems.

Here you go...

https://www.peta.org/

I would club baby seals if there were any around. Cheaper than 22 shells and you get that hands on experience. Liberalism runs deep without internal knowledge with some folks. Like a toad in the water as it gets heated up.

Talk about apples to oranges.

Clubbing seals is illegal to pretty much everyone except natives that survive on seal oil. You are not making a point with that comment.


Ethics and the law cross paths more often than not on the decision NOT to take something. Like a fish hooked deep bleeding from the gills. It's bleeding to death and you have to let it go because it's not quite big enough. Hitting a deer with a motorised vehicle also. Gotta leave report it and leave it to waste. I passed a few rotting by the road today.

The issue is that we have hunters posting critical things as a knee jerk reaction fueled by emotions instead of truth. That is exactly what anti hunters do and how they work to win public opinion. In my six months on here I've lost count of the number of times I have seen it

You win that fight by supporting legal and ethical hunters and presenting facts that do not support the arguments that anti hunters make.

Not by joining sides with them.

I still don't get it? I'm not big on using dogs for experiments either, so that makes me anti-hunting too? I shot an adorable raccoon right in the face Sat night as he exited my protein trough and I must say, I enjoyed that shot.

I haven't seen many anti-hunters on THF or even people leaning that way... hunting means different things to different folks, but that's really OK.

Amen to that

But that is a perfect example of what PETA does. They spread stuff in media/social media/internet to stir emotions and inspire people to donate to them, then they use that money to lobby for gun control and against hunting.

Wish I could remember what the percentage of their funds are spent lobbying for gun control. Their end game is to take away your guns and that is a fact.

WTF does PETA have to do with an anti-hunting stance on THF when someone says they popped a Bobcat and someone says they'd have passed?

I get it... you guys are Russian trolls trying to sow hate and discontent here on THF! It ain't gonna work commies!

My point to this thread was that we need to stick together and support each others endeavors. Being critical of how or what another person hunts divides us, and divided we will lose. Back in the 80's and early 90's, I worked in an archery pro shop. It was a good day if I got to work and the keyhole wasn't glued shut. People take for granted that the anti hunting movement has slowed but it's still here. We certainly don't need to contribute to it.

Ultimate cop out! It's the other way around!

But seriously, a lot of unreasonable criticism on here

Tilt at windmills much?

It’s ok if other hunters have different opinions. Doesn’t effect me.

Hunters are not a monolithic voice.

Look, you just accused me of working undercover for PETA. Your as hysterical as that dude on MSNBC named Richard Maddow.