Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: buckeye_hunter on July 21, 2011, 12:31:00 AM
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A big thank you goes out to all the members here on TradGang and the moderators for making it possible.
I just received a less than pleasant e-mail from my brother about my recent bear hunt and my deer hunting activities. He listed a number of reasons why hunting is distasteful to him.
While I believe there is room for all opinions, I want to thank all of you who provide a place for people like me. People that want to participate in the circle of life. Many today do not understand what we are doing when we go into the woods with a bow. I want to thank you all for giving me a place where my motivations are understood.
He is aware of why I hunt. Not for antlers or trophies, just the internal drive to be a part of nature. He still doesn't get it.....
Thank you again to all my brothers of the bow on Tradgang. I'm not sure what I would do without you guys. This is my home away from home!
Shoot straight :campfire:
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:campfire:
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:campfire:
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:thumbsup: :clapper:
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Thank you for sharing what sounds like something that is painful for you.
I am sorry for it.
I am glad that you can remain true to yourself even while having to deal with the disapproval of others, the same others that you would love to have the acceptance of.
I can tell you that I am proud to be able to call you brother and let you know you would be welcome around my campfire.
:campfire: :archer:
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It certainly would be worse when coming from a family member or close friend. Some folks will just never "get it", no matter how much we would like them to at least accept it in us.
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Thank you for all the kind words.
I mostly wanted to make sure you all knew that this site is a God send for those of us who didn't come from a hunting family or didn't have a mentor.
I really appreciate the site and all who call it home. I hope it didn't come across as a whiney, pity poor me post. The main thought I want to convey is being thankful for you all. Also to say thank you for all the knowledge that has been passed on to those of us without other resources.
You guys are top notch! :notworthy:
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Charlie I got to witness your enjoyment of hunting at Bear Quest V.I watched you enjoy every aspect of the trip,the kill,baiting and hauling out bears,cleaning,stories,camp life,bowdoc,pitching in around camp just doing what we enjoy.You will probably not change his mind so don't let him make you feel bad.Just enjoy ,I know I have for about 47 years.Kip
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Sounds lIke your brother has "Nature Deficit Disorder".
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:thumbsup: :campfire: ...like the saying goes, "If I have to explain it to you, then you will never understand "
Froggy
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Charlie,
I was blessed with a GrandPa that introduced me to Hunting and fishing. He took those opportunities in the field to teach me right from wrong. He taught me about Honor, Morals, Ethics, and Values. My GrandPa passed in 95 doing what he loved. He was squirrel hunting. I thank God for that man and his lessons everyday.
Do what makes you happy and take the time to pass your love of hunting to the next generation.
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Hang in there Charlie. There will always be people who feel that way. It is unforunate though that one of them is your brother. In this great country though, he has that right just as we have the right to do what we love. I just have to wonder what people think would happen to all the animals if none were ever killed by hunters and all the money hunters and fisherman contribute to conservation stopped coming in.
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People see what they want to see. Steady she goes until the light goes on for him. Good luck.
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I certainly took it as you were feeling it. If I had taken it as you being whiney, I assure you I would have just quietly passed the thread on by. My late, older brother didn't like hunting either but we sure had some fine times Fly Fishing together (among other things - LOL). I agree with you about the folks here. We do have a pretty good nest here for the cukoo to fly over - LOL.
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There are blood brothers and then there are soul brothers. I love my blood brother, (at least mine gun hunts) but feel closer to my soul brothers here.
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I had to laugh because my oldest daughter said, "Well... I think.... I kinda understand you daddy."
God bless her!
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Stole this from a farmer/gunsmith friend and use it to end such discussions with family, friends or co-workers:
"Well, ya gotta kill it to eat it, whether its a carrot or a cow"
If they don't "get that" they'll not understand any other rhetoric.
We only get to pick our friends... Gang are good crew to pick from.
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Originally posted by Whip:
There are blood brothers and then there are soul brothers. I love my blood brother, (at least mine gun hunts) but feel closer to my soul brothers here.
Slip me some skin soul brother. :laughing:
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I'm right there with ya Whip and Mudd thanks for the comments. Both of you were right on the mark as was everyone else.
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My brother WAS also anti-hunting until I fed him some deer meat and now he is simply a non-hunter, guess in Boston not many deer wander through town. Some you will never convince so it is a waste of energy-others are more susceptable to understand it is not bloodlust that drives us but rather the need to heed our heritage. Keep true to yourself. We can only live our own lives.
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My mentor (VPM@F&H News) when I first started outdoor writing gave me a good argument: "In the larger scheme of things it doesn't matter if you agree with my reasons for hunting. It does matter that you realize it is necessary for sound wildlife management."
I have three brothers. One is as blood thirsty as I am, but lives in Texas. He still has training wheels on his bow. One hunted a lot when he was young but when he got out of the military he just lost all interest in it.
My oldest brother has never liked hunting, but he is a gourmet, and that's how my younger brother and I finally got through to him. Venison, grouse, pheasant and quail.
And yeah, Trad Gang is a good place in that way.
:campfire:
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Tom,
Your brother lives in Boston too? Mine is in Arlington. Not too many hunters other than Tippit out that way in Boston I think.
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Charlie,
Yes, my brother has lived in Boston for close to 40 years. When he comes south he ridicules "our" accent, when I remind him he is on foreign soil the conversation usually changes to more pleasant themes. Actually he understands why I hunt its just not his thing and we leave it at that. We can't pick our family but blood still is important to me despite our differences.
Hopefully your brother will come to the realization that he won't change you any more than you will him. Come to a mutual understanding and continue to be a whole family. Best to you.
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My sister is not a hunter and says she could not kill an animal but understands it is necessary and understands why I hunt. She's just cool that way. But if some don't see value in a thing they "take no trouble to comprehend".
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The really odd thing to me is that my brother is an EXTREMELY smart guy. He has a masters degree from Harvard. He grew up here and hunted deer when he lived in Ohio. His family is not even remotely close to being vegetarians either.
I sent an e-mail reitterating that I hunt for the sake of being in nature and attempting to kill/gather my own food. I made to sure to tell him that the bear meat makes one hell of a good stew by the way.
However, in the e-mail, I never addressed his "issues". I just explained why being an ethical hunter and part of nature is important to me.
I have no intention of ever quitting, I would rather have my hands cut off than stop hunting. Let's hope that is never the choice!
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I like to remember that I decide how much I am going to let something bother me. There are always going to be situations where people have differing opinions. That's what makes us all individuals. I can understand your post, your desire to be on the same page with someone but we all write our own book. Enjoy life, hang with the people that you feel good to be around, arguments are relatively pointless if they become attacks on the other person's point of view. My personal attitude is I will say how I feel about something, my personal viewpoint and I will respect another's viewpoint as that is THEIR personal viewpoint. Life is too short to spend it worrying about other people's opinions. "Agree to Dis-agree". Sure we are looking for validation that what we are doing is right but the bottom line is that if we believe ourselves that what we are doing is right FOR US then differing opinions won't matter so much. Decide how you want to feel and there are times to just let it go. But know that you've got lots of bow-totin' folks here and elsewhere that will be glad to help you deal with life's little intricacies. (jeez, is that even a word???)
Peace to you my brotha and to all my brothas and sistahs of the stick and string. Stay all right.
TomBow
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Originally posted by TomBow:
I like to remember that I decide how much I am going to let something bother me. There are always going to be situations where people have differing opinions. That's what makes us all individuals. I can understand your post, your desire to be on the same page with someone but we all write our own book. Enjoy life, hang with the people that you feel good to be around, arguments are relatively pointless if they become attacks on the other person's point of view. My personal attitude is I will say how I feel about something, my personal viewpoint and I will respect another's viewpoint as that is THEIR personal viewpoint. Life is too short to spend it worrying about other people's opinions. "Agree to Dis-agree". Sure we are looking for validation that what we are doing is right but the bottom line is that if we believe ourselves that what we are doing is right FOR US then differing opinions won't matter so much. Decide how you want to feel and there are times to just let it go. But know that you've got lots of bow-totin' folks here and elsewhere that will be glad to help you deal with life's little intricacies. (jeez, is that even a word???)
Peace to you my brotha and to all my brothas and sistahs of the stick and string. Stay all right.
TomBow
All well said! :thumbsup:
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It simply works out that for every second of our lives some other life form must die, whether that life form is a seed, larvae, embryo, plant, insect or animal. For us to sustain the nutrients we need to live something else has to die. It’s that simple. :smileystooges: who eat flesh without giving a second thought as to where it comes from. They act as if the meat that’s wrapped up and lying in the grocery store refrigeration counters was never a part of a living being. They live their lives with an out of sight out of mind attitude. They need to spend some time working a poultry house, commercial hog farm, feedlot and slaughter house and then a week hunting with one of us.
You’re not doing anything wrong. Your brother has been :banghead: brainwashed. Here is a link to a great book on this subject. The Politically Incorrect Guide to Hunting http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Politically_Incorrect_Guide_to_Hunti.html?id=19fHPtD3TNgC
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Don't worry Charlie my Mom is the same way - we have agreed to disagree... I would have any of you folks around my campfire.... what we do isn't just taking meat - it's very spiritual... you all know exactly what I mean?!
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Jason,
Yes, we do know what you mean. Most of us are at least somewhat spiritual about hunting. I was out trimming shooting lanes and scouting porperty in SE Ohio yesterday and the time spent in the woods was awesome. The stars and the campfire are always sweeter out in the country and woods.
Tom,
Thanks for the support. I wish I could have him at our trad deer hunt for the week. I doubt he would come, but I think he would feel different after days apon days in the woods trying like h&^% to put something on the table with a longbow or recurve. It makes you appreciate your food, nature and the process that much more.
Also, thanks for the link to the book. The price isn't bad over on Amaz*n.
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Charlie, I'm with ya. I get the same thing from my wife but she accepts that I'm a hunter. I do think that after the last couple of years that she is coming around.
I have had the chance to share a campfire with Charlie and even though I have only met him once I can vouch for him. If you ever get the chance to talk with him you will find out that he's a genuine guy and that hunting just means more to him. It's not about the antlers or the size and he really cherishes ever animal he takes and considers it a trophy. You can just sense that to him the hunt itself is a trophy to him.
Charlie I would share a campfire with you anytime and look forward to doing so again labor day weekend my friend. If I may call you friend after only meeting once.
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You certainly can call me a friend and I hope you can make the Ohio Trad Deer Hunt. I will post up some details on it sometime soon. Likely tomorrow.
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I have a brother situation also, though the fracture is not related to hunting. What I have come to realize after a lot of soul searching is that growing up together is not a guarantee that you will share the same view of the world. Hang in there.