Be an Ambassador, Not Just a Hunter

LAST EDITED ON Oct-20-04 AT 12:52PM (MST)[p]I have my own proposal this year, as Utah and most of the states are going into full swing with the fall hunts that bring all of us together again in our favorite pasttime......instead of just being a hunter, a taker of life, a gatherer of meat, try this one on for size-be an ambassador. Not only to yourself, but to friends, family and strangers. "Take the higher road", as it were. You'd be surprised how fulfilling it can be-a little wierd at first, but fulfilling in the last.

We all know actions speak much, much louder than words, so put those actions into work. It matters not one whit if your actions/words affect one or a dozen people, what matters is that you do it with calm reasoning. Humans will for all time and eternity disagree with each other, heck without arguments for the sake of arguments, what would be the worth of an opinion?? We will never sway the anti's, but perhaps we can change their stereotype of us. Perhaps when the stereotype is gone, true discussion can begin. Perhaps then we can eloquently describe our reasons for our passion. To merely say, "it's not about the killing" is not enough. How many of us can truly say it is about the killing, about the procurement of meat? I honestly can only attribute one of my many tags to that explanation-the rest are nothing but an excuse to escape. How's that for common ground with the rest of the outdoor enthusiasts?

It always does my heart good when I run into a father/son, father/daughter on the deer field. Just knowing that someone took the time to share the pasttime and the days afield with another person, young or old, is somehow comforting. Even more comforting is to be a witness to those same fathers teaching those same children how to walk quietly, to pause and try to listen to what the outdoors is telling them, to put into words the emotions and thoughts that being in the field each year blossom. That is something that cannot ever be taken away, those inner conversations, those exterior sensations, those shared moments, and it's what keeps us coming back year after year, even until all we can do is sit in camp and remember.

My own little steps to being an ambassador are very simple and I admit, some folks call them silly. I just try to greet everyone I see with a smile and a jovial 'hello' and remark on what a beautiful fall day it is. In this modern day where society wants to insulate itself, you'd be surprised what a simple smile and outright showing of contentment spurs. I get two reactions usually, a response back with no further discussion; the 'big ignore' to which I say, "well, enjoy your hike, I'm glad you had time to escape today like I did", or someone who actually pauses a moment because they are caught off-guard. Pleasantries are exchanged, and then it comes almost every time- "So, what are you hunting?". Here's where your opportunity to shine exists. You can simply answer and leave it at that, or you can expound on what you are really doing up there- hunting serenity. I guarantee that you'll be received by a jaw-drop. Then you can both part ways and be unable to avoid the true answers-that the person you just left smiling will probably share today's 'run-in with a hunter' with someone else, and my golly, just where could that go?!

I'll give my example from last winter here, and I fully expect all you MM'ers to respond with yours. It's something we should always be thinking about, and not just whining about, really LIVING; not just afield but in all walks.

Dad and I were cow hunting in what, during the same winter months, is a haven for snowshoers, walkers and XC skiers. You know the ones where every car has a bumper sticker about saving the spotted owl and the like. It was always with some tension that we'd gear up and pass behind the same gate as the other folks, because we had experienced some snide remarks in the past. This particular day, we tried our new ideas, and upon being approached by 3 snowshoeing women, noted that not only did they jump a bit upon seeing us, but the scowls were beginning immediately. We both hailed a cheery greeting and asked if they had seen the magnificent bull moose we passed lower on the trail. They were completely taken aback. Finally one of them asked the inevitable hunting question. When I answered, "cow elk" they asked how 'much longer' the hunt was going. I answered that, and one of them made the usual, "so we can't come up here safely until when??" Then I launched, calmly and cheerfully into an explanation of why they should feel free to still come enjoy the outdoors just as we were. One of them complained about a gut pile having been left in the trail, so I expounded on the legalities of leaving offal in a watershed, and said I would be happy to move it out of sight. Now I'm sure some of you may find this tactic demeaning, that we should just tell them to 'get used to it, we use the trail too'. But what I was REALLY doing was showing them that not only am I a hunter, but one that is ethical, knowledgable, and knows the law, and omigawd actually friendly. Quite different from the 'slob-hunter' stereotype, yes? And guess what, we caught them looking back at us with the most befuddled expressions, and heard their discussions about 'gee, I was really wrong about those guys' all the way back to the trailhead.

Same area, different tactic about a week later. Dad and I actually got followed by a group who clear intent was to interfere with our stalk. They moved around and in front of us, yelling and whistling with no clear purpose to either. We finally ran into each other, and it was with some smugness that one of their group snidely sneered "gee, how's the killing today
". Answered that one with a deep philsophical bent on killing versus experiencing, and he didn't know what to say. Then I mentioned that his group was clearly harassing us and wanted to know why. He actually answered me, so then I told him that Dad and I would go back to trailhead, wait by their Volvo (that freaked him out...his car was the only one other than our truck, duh) and call the Sheriff so they all could receive a citation for harassing hunters. Oh, boy, did I get the jaw-drop on that one. Didn't know that was illegal! was the cry. Too bad, was the response, then I launched into the we-all-have-the-right-to-our-pasttimes thing. Well, we did as we promised and watched them freeze because they wouldn't come back to their car. Finally the deputy told them he had all night, he got paid to wait on them anyway. They came out and were cited. The snide little snot-nose actually apologized after. We saw the same group several times during the winter, and still said hello pleasantly and asked about their day. They never said a word, and we ended up having some pretty deep conversations about habitat preservation. How's that for wierd?

So there's my proposal and thoughts, sorry they are so long. You know us women, we have to use lots and lots of words! LOL

I look forward to hearing about your ideas for ambassadorship and your tactics. You know they read our boards, nows your first chance to make an impression.

Pred

Predator;

Not only does it make sense and it will work for our benifit. If 70% of hunters took the time to explain where hunting fits in the scheme, the anti's would not be able to make headway as they do today.
The way you handled both of the incidents cited above was superb and helped all hunters with the persons you encountered.
Thanks for the heads up and more of us should use these examples to further our cause with non-hunters who do not fully understand hunting. It may make the difference of them not buying the anti-hunting falsehoods that prevail in our culture today.

RELH

Pred, We had just come out of the back country on our quads and where waiting for the rest of our group to show. My buddy and I were standing by our quads talking when two women pulled up and parked. We were at the beginning of the dirt road that went to our hunting area and it was a large dirt parking lot many people used to park in and walk the nearby trails with their dogs for excercise. I was filthy and actually still had blood on my genes from the day before. My buddy and me eagerly greated every person that walked by with a hello, How are you today?. To my surprise many of the ladies were very friendly and interested in what we were hunting and if we had any luck. We talked to a dozen men and women and only one gave us the evil look. As long as I am not attacked verbally or physically I am always more then friendly. This area we hunt out of is very close to Sun valley and we know there is allot of environmentalists in that area. Be nice, Be courtous, and show the respect you want to be shown and things USUALLY turn out fine. DON'T be the redneck knucklhead that most non-hunters are expecting. Good post pred!.

the other day a buncha anti hunter, tree huggers called me an ambasador. i think that's what it was. it sounded like "HEY YOU DIRTY AMBASODOR ELK MURDERER".

I stopped and helped two young men with a flat tire, it seems they had a spare but no lug wrench. We were in a pretty desolate area about 60 miles from the nearest town and at least 20 miles from the nearest phone. I came across them about 10 minutes after a non-res Colo. hunter left them at the side of the road and told them he couldnt help!

Mike

Your the ultimate predator youve got scent lock!

TX- Not sure whatya mean there, but dangit! Now I can't get that stupid ad song outta my head!!! I'm gonna start turning into a wolf next, I can feel it!

LAST EDITED ON Oct-21-04 AT 09:17AM (MST)[p]Perhaps I am wrong, but in a post that calls for us all to be ambassadors, I don't think it helps to flame entire states or non-resident hunters due to the action of a single person. Granted the person was from Colorado (I am guessing that the stranded motorists looked at the liscense plates)and thus a non-resident hunter in either North or South Dakota, but wouldn't it have been just as accurate to say that another hunter stopped but wasn't able to help? Who is to say that (s)he didn't have the appropriate lug wrench either. Maybe (s)he was late getting home and did what (s)he could. How many other cars passed them before the person with Colorado plates actually stopped?

I think its great that you stopped and helped them. If I see people pulled to the side of the road, I stop 90% of the time no matter what time of year it is and whether or not I feel that I really can help them. Its called being courteous to your fellow human beings. I know that if my wife were stranded I would want somebody to stop and help her as quickly as possible.

It seems that many of my activities are hot button issues. As a mountain biker, I receive much the same response, as hunters do from emotionally-driven environmentalists, from fellow trail users that prefer to hike or ride horses. In the trail code, it is MY responsibility to allow these other trail users the first use to the trail. Because downhill riders tend to descend mountains faster than their cross country counterparts (I am a downhill racer), there was a rift growing between cross country riders and the more gravity motivated group of mountain bikers. although the rift is closing due to better awareness on the parts of both groups, it threatened to totally alter mountain biking and put in jeopardy access to trails. Mountain bikers always encourage each other to say hello and thank people as they pass. Some people respond well to it, while others are locked into hating us. I think the same can be said with hunting. One thing that really helped mountain biking was to stop pointing fingers at their fellow mountain bikers who prefer to ride differently, but legally.

In the end, if everyone found a way to be courteous and sincere with EVERYONE they encountered, there would be much fewer problems in the world. knock those chips off your shoulder and approach every expereience as a unique one. Anyway, I agree that we should do everything we can to be courteous to everyone, including fellow hunters. Always give people the benefit of doubt because we never know exactly what is going on in their head. Family emergencies, previous experiences, etc.

No I did not take the post personally and am not trying to be defensive. I am a recent Coloradoan, former Wyomingite, after being a Pennsylvanian. All states with great hunting traditions.

Sorry if this gets off topic, because it is a great thread.

TCR1,

This incident occurred in Wyoming (where I live now), the two young men that I helped were Wyoming residents as well, about 10 miles prior to encountering the guys with the flat I passed a Colorado plated pick-up, when I got to the disabled Jeep I described it to them, sure enough, white Dodge pick-up with Colo plates. The guys in the Colo truck tried to help, they did not have a proper lug wrench either, actually the kids told me the Colo hunters didn't look, they just said they couldn't help and left them on the side of the road.

When I originally posted I wasn't trying to bag on Colorado hunters, but in my own personal experience I find that folks that come from a denser population usually have less care and or concern for their fellow citizen. I have lived in all types of areas as well. From extremely rural ND to over populated California and now Wyoming in a respectable size town. Growing up in ND taught me one thing and it taught me it well, you NEVER leave someone stranded on the side of a road, even if it means canceling plans and turning back to give them a ride to the nearest phone or town, it can literally be the difference between life and death. I have carried that credo throughout my life no matter where I have lived. In the California Delta I towed more than half a dozen boats back to port due to breakdowns, out of gas, damaged equipment(watched a guy rip the lower unit off his outboard on a sandbar one day, towed him 9 miles back to his slip). And the reason I do this is what you already mentioned, you never know when it will be you or one of your loved ones in that position and I pray that someone will stop and help out in that situation as well. I never take payment unless it is forced on me, I simply say "pass it on".

Mike

dakotakid,
Thats awesome. I'm suprised to hear of someone in Wyoming not being prepared. I wish I could claim Wyoming as my native home as the attitude and lifestyle fit me perfectly.

I was thinking of trying my hand at some Mt. Lion hunting up near Laramie this winter. Was given a recomendation on a hound guy there.

While at school in Wyoming, I mostly fished. I was constantly aggrevated by all the Colorado plates and guys pulling in and fishing right next to me. Eventually, instead of getting mad and leaving I began to talk to them and would slip in that I liked to fish to get away from people and release stress from school. eventually they would mosey on away from me.

I still hate to go visit all my freinds in Laramie with my Colorado plates though. I almost died when I heard some one used chemicals to burn a huge U W in the CSU field for tommorrows game!

Pokes by 14 is my prediction.

LAST EDITED ON Oct-21-04 AT 01:37PM (MST)[p]Predator,

I had posted this over at the muledeer forum. It was titled "For Kalifornians Only!!", and dakota asked me to post it here as well. I enjoyed the read (yours) thanks for taking the time.


Hello fellow Kali resident,

Just wanted to take a second to pass along some guidelines in an attempt to help our image in other states that we enjoy traveling to and hunting in. We have it pretty good here, but for those of you oblivious to the world around you, the California plate pretty much says to the rest of the west that your a rich kid wanna be that doesn't give a crap about anyhting but killin' the biggest deer / bull on the hill. We roll in with our 30k dollar rigs and fancy gear, gigglin' and carryin' on because we are on vacation. The people you come across are not on vacation. They live and work in the heaven that we crave.

1: Don't litter, anywhere, anytime. Period. Get off your fat ass and find a garbage can, or stash it in your pack or truck till later.

2: Instead of checkin' out the waitress like a sailor that's been at sea for 12 years, tip her and tip her big. 2, 3, 4 bucks a head for any meal isn't gonna break you, after all this trip is costing a couple grand. Fork it over and spread it around. Maybe the cook won't spit in your eggs on the way home.

3: If your going to be guided or pay a trespass fee, tip the ranch manager or guide, they are working their ass of for you. That tip shouldn't be tied to the size of the rack either.

4. Be nice to people in the towns you stop at. Tip your hat and say thank you. Everyone knows what a bad ass you are, the big Kali hunter going to kill a monster. Leave the chest beating at home tarzan, and have some manners. Your a visitor.

5: Tread lightly. For you less than athletic types that can afford an atv, it's not a god given right to track it up and down evey hill. Stay on the trail and don't tear up the country. Get off that toy and see what its like to get some leg burn, and see if those lungs still work. You'll love it.

6: Don't trespass. Period. Most states don't have to post their property, so buy map and learn how to read it.

7: Don't road hunt on the highway or any other paved roads. Your license plate already gives you away, don't make it any worse for the rest of us.

8: Give other hunters a wide berth.

9: Make it a point to help someone out.

10: Leave the potty mouth in the truck, no 9 year old in the coffe shop needs to hear you drop f-bombs.

11: SLOW DOWN. We live life at a breakneck speed here on the left coast. We talk, drive, eat, move FAST!!! It's just the way our day to day has shaped us. When you head east, they attitude relaxes a bit, and so should yours. Slow down everything. Why rush when you want the week to last forever?? Soak it up, it's the good stuff.


12: To sum it all up don't be a a-hole.

Have fun, be safe, work your butt off, and enjoy the home of some fellow americans. Were all in the same gang. Go back and read about my trip last year, I hope your all lucky enough to have such an experience.

http://www.monstermuleys.com/cgi-bin/stories/site.pl?page=larrypasero121503




?America is a great country, the harder you work the luckier you get.?


five_point_buck
AKA Larry Pasero Jr.