Want to see what the Texas Trophy Hunters Association thinks of us?

[southpawshooter]

I have sent the following e-mail in response:

Dear Editor,

Your cartoon describing the bowhunter starter kit is very upsetting. It is an irresponsible display that will provide ammuntion for anti-hunters.  The weapon of choice has nothing to do with wound rates. As a matter of fact during our firearms season I saw several wounded deer from missplaced slugs.  I did not see any wounded deer during our much longer bow season.  Although Murphy's Law can play a role in hunting, more wounding occurs because the hunter does not chose to patiently wait for an appropriate shot.  Again, this simply has nothing to do with the weapon of choice but has everything to do with the ethics of the hunter.  As a whole I believe bowhunters are more responsible and choose ethical shots moreso than firearms hunters due to having only one shot rather than blazing away with multiple bullets.

Please pull this cartoon and publicly issue an apology.  Your organization should not contribute ammuntion to the anti-hunting contingent.  As hunters, we need to band together in fighting the anti-hunting crowd.  Your cartoon plays into the old 'divide and conquer' strategy that these folks thrive on.  They focus on piece meal tactics - if and when they do succeed in outlawing bowhunting, firearms will be next - make no mistake about that.

Sincerly,

Scott C. Frost

[Mike Orton]

Does anyone know or care to comment on the venue to which this cartoon was posted?  Was it put into a magazine periodical, a flyer, an advertisement?  Are the two advertisements listed below the cartoon associated with the brash statement?

Is there a hidden agenda within the Texas Trophy Hunters Association?

Sounds like the TTHA is affiliated directly with an anti hunting organization, or at least may be infiltrated by such.  Perhaps these folks are card carrying members of PETA?

Just brings to mind one thought, "Texas; Steers and Queers"

[tamure]

I was wondering about the statistics also... "more likely" ...than what?

I don't know, maybe the statistics do show (and where do they get the data anyway?) that shot for shot, a non-fatal wound is more likely to result when using a bow versus a rifle. (How do you know it's non-fatal? If you can't find the deer, that doesn't mean it's non-fatal. Many other variables are at work when tracking game, whatever weapon it is shot with.)

I hate it when people use "statistics show", "studies have proven", "scientists have found", etc without any citation to the "study" itself. Unfortunately a lot of people will blindly believe it, when really such a statement without any supporting reference should instead stir some skepticism.  After all, it's a scientific fact that 37% of statistics are simply made up.  :mad:

[Mike Orton]

Michael Orton
36815 Oak View Rd.
Yucaipa, CA 92399

Texas Trophy Hunters Association
PO Box 791107
San Antonio, TX 78279-1107

Re: Archery Cartoon ad

Dear Sirs,

I’m not one moved to write letters indiscriminately but every so often a topic so outrageous will poke its ugly head out of the cesspool.   During such occasions I am compelled to voice objection.  In the past I have written about such ugly topics as the Clinton/Lewinski perjury by then Commander-in-Chief Clinton, the verdict in the O.J. trial and subsequent Fox news attempt to promote the marketing of that killer’s book on the subject, and now this attempted fratricide by my elitist hunting brethren from Texas.

The subject matter at the root of my concerns is the following cartoon posted by your organization.
 
 http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Publication1.jpg
   

This cartoon is not only tasteless but also lacking in credibility.  I ask you to forward the statistics, research and data used to render a conclusion that archery is a less effective manner of killing game than that of the rifle or what ever your weapon of choice happens to be.

Your cartoon appears to have placed the entire hunting community in peril to the Anti-hunting establishment by adding fuel to their fire.  Furthermore, this message reeks with the stench of elitism by suggesting that one form of hunting is superior over another.  That behavior in general is arrogant, brash and fool-hearty.  Your organization’s method of communication is repulsive to me personally and is offensive to the American hunter at large.

I respectfully ask that this cartoon and similar messages be removed from further communication in any future form of media.  Furthermore, I request a formal public apology be made to both the hunting community and Non-hunting community alike.  Your message of archery as a non-effective form of taking game animals is misrepresentative to both the hunting community and non-hunting community alike.  In fact, archery is every bit as lawful in the taking of game animals as center fire rifles are lawful.  The TTHA editors responsible for the approval of the placement of this cartoon ad are shameful individuals.


Sincerely,

Michael Orton

[tamure]

I did just find this link, which cites studies, but unfortunately the appendicies are not included. I haven't been able to find the actual studies.

 http://www.wildlifeprotection.net/deer/minor2.pdf

[Matthew D]

The study looks flawed from the first sentence at the very least it is has some major biased problems. Also, I have questions concerning the overall data collection for this particular report. From just skimming it, it appears that the data is out of date

[Talondale]

This is their official response so far:

December 28, 2006


In regards to: The "Bowhuntin' Startin' Kit" cartoon printed in the Jan./Feb. 2007 issue of the Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association and the Journal of the Alabama Trophy Hunters Association

Dear members of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association, Alabama Trophy Hunters Association and readers of the Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association and the Journal of the Alabama Trophy Hunters Association,

Please allow us to offer our personal and sincere apology to each one of you.

The cartoon entitled “Bowhuntin' Startin' Kit", published in the Jan./Feb. issue of the Journals, in no way reflects our view of bowhunting or more specifically bowhunters. There is no excuse for an item of poor taste, such as this, slipping through the editorial review process. We have taken immediate steps including an emergency meeting of management and editorial staff which will result in disciplinary actions and a more strict review process. A statement of explanation and apology will be printed in the next several issues of the Journals.

In no way does the management of this organization find the cartoon to be humorous nor do we support this view of bowhunting. We are as angry about this as you are! As a matter of fact, we are avid bowhunters ourselves!

We will continue to strive to support the rights of the hunting community and hunters, be it bow or gun. We just hope you understand that when you have a company with as many employees as we have there always a chance something can go wrong. No question about it- this is wrong! I will personally see to it that this will never happen again. Please forward my response to anyone who is an offended bowhunter.

Please accept our deepest and most sincere apology. We are available to you for comment or questions at any time.


Respectfully yours,


Jerry Johnston, President and Founder

Texas Trophy Hunters Association

Leroy Sisco

Chief Executive Officer


Joe Betar

Chief Operating Officer


Joe Betar
Chief Operating Officer
American Trophy Hunters Association
email: [email protected]
(210) 523-8500
(800) 800-3207
FAX (210) 523-8871

[John Scifres]

Someone needs to lose their job over this one!  Thanks for bringing this up.

[vermonster13]

A few fools who claim to be bowhunters are actually defending these fools on another site. It always amazes me at how hunters can be huntings worst enemy

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Yeah, I know V.  Makes ya just shake your head because you can guess their agenda.

Tink Nathan is sure pulling for the TTHA.  You may know the first name best?  Tink's 69?  He's already turned me off from his deer lure products, this just seals the deal.

[Al Dente]

The bozo still has yet to reply and I'd love to see these so-called "stats".  Makes ya shake your head sometimes.

[vermonster13]

Yeah I know Tink. He's been banned from a few sites because of his behavior.

[waya]

Methinks someone has a gunhunter (retarded) mentality! Crap like this is just what antis love. And one thing you don't hear about- a bowhunter shooting at movement. "Well I saw sumpin' a'movin' o'er en dem dere bushes an' I took a shot at it! Luked like a whitetails deer to me". Only a gunhunter would do this.

[vermonster13]

Folks this isn't a bash gunhunters thread either. This is about a cartoon published in a groups magazine. If we start throwing stuff back then we are no better and just as much of a problem as them. This cartoon is inexcusable and we need say no more than that. They are getting the point also.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Had nothing to do with folks that hunt with rifles, it has to do with the TTHA voicing their anti bowhunting sentiment.

ALL hunters should stand together whether in this or any other issue that reflects hunting of any method in a negative light.

I'm looking forward to my next LSBA magazine.  If I can figure out why my scanner's not working I'll scan the article we print in response.

*LSBA - Lonestar Bowhunters Association.

[Mike Orton]

I jumped on this issue today, wrote a letter to TTHA and posted twice this thread.  This is the third post.  Since then, I have read a post on this thread that appears to be signed by the executive board of the TTHA which in essence, articulates the proper apology, maintains the proper tone of repentance and has personally satified my offended feelings regarding archery.   While I am personally not a Trophy hunter and would not be inclined to join the TTHA, I must assume the apology offered was a meaningful apology.  Assuming the apology is meaningful and sincere, I suggest it is time to move on, closing this ugly chapter of hunting fratracide.  This entire issue should have just not ever happened...

[vermonster13]

They will need to be watched in the future, I have some ideas of their agenda, but this chapter is now closed. All pertinent info is here for all to read.