What John Q. Public thinks of hunters.....

[Ouzel]

This weekend I encountered a citizen bird watching, and he asked to be allowed on my property (combo defunct farm/cottage/hunting camp). I agreed, but asked that he only come on when I am there. He said he understood, as he had "hunters trespass" on his own property. Another time someone approached him to retrieve a dead deer. He said it turned out that deer had been shot from the road, and the guy was charged.
I explained that I am a hunter, and hate to hear stories like that. The bird watcher then said he does allow hunting, and has no problem with that part, just that he really doesn't like trespassers, for any reason. I guess he and I have the same point of view.
The reason for this post is that it reminded me how the average citizen is really on our (the hunters) side, but it is very easy to put people off with bad behavior. Something to keep in mind.

[trimmer21]

Generally,I've found the same positive outlook by most people I speak to. The frustration with trespassers seems to be all-encompassing. One fellow mentioned that he hated "hunters at night" down his concession which really piqued my attention. I asked if he had called Police or CO's. He said he knew hunting was a legal activity,so,he thought it would be a waste of time because he'd called before and they kind of blew him off about it. I nearly flipped out when I heard that. I didn't waste any time cluing him in that they weren't hunters by any stretch. They were armed criminals and should be regarded accordingly.

[Rob Stewart]

I use the term "muggle" stolen from Harry Potter to refer to someone outside my activities. If I'm geocaching, not catchers are muggles. If I'm hunting, non-hunters are muggles and so on.

Anyway, when hunting I always try and be stealthy. You never know if that muggle who sees you park on huntable public land will come back and slash your tires. I generally assume muggles are anti-hunter unless I talk to them and find out otherwise.

That said, we are all ambassadors for our sport. We need to be polite and respectful and always condone illegal behavior!

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[smokin'stoegie]

I don't believe for a second that the "average citizen" is on the side of hunters. Although some may be there is still a large contingency of people/public that honestly dislike the pastime.
It is based on many misconceptions including not understanding why "we" must kill defenceless animals when you can simply go to the store to buy your meat !!!!
As I hunter who doesn't own land I would say that if you knocked on 10 doors for permission the success rate is 20-30%. The reasons for refusals would be many but along with these misconceptions, which are simply ridiculous, we suffer for the few fools, poachers and general idiots that the public base their opinions on.

[Fox]

I don't believe for a second that the "average citizen" is on the side of hunters. Although some may be there is still a large contingency of people/public that honestly dislike the pastime.
It is based on many misconceptions including not understanding why "we" must kill defenceless animals when you can simply go to the store to buy your meat !!!!
As I hunter who doesn't own land I would say that if you knocked on 10 doors for permission the success rate is 20-30%. The reasons for refusals would be many but along with these misconceptions, which are simply ridiculous, we suffer for the few fools, poachers and general idiots that the public base their opinions on.

There have actually been a number of surveys, the majority does not hunt but does not get offended by it, the number of anti-hunters and hunters are about even.

You have a 20-30% success rate for permission because people hunt without asking and ruin it for the rest of us.

[MikePal]

As I hunter who doesn't own land I would say that if you knocked on 10 doors for permission the success rate is 20-30%.

Those numbers might hold true in rural areas, where people understand the need for and benefits of hunting. But in the general population, you will not find much support for hunting from those that aren't exposed to it.

I remember during the institution of the Gun Registry a survey was conducted of the general population and there was less than 5% support for the need for hunting in today's society. They don't buy the 'meat' theory and see it only as killing wildlife for sport.

[greatwhite]

It all comes down to how the question is asked and where it is asked. If you ask 1000 people in Sudbury and another 1000 people in Toronto about hunting you will get different answers to questions. Do you see a need for guns vs Do you have an issue with people hunting.

Heck ask my wife about guns, she doesn't like them but tolerates them she new I owned guns before we got married. My son now has his PAL and she still doesn't like guns or hunting but eats meat (She also didn't like me putting names on the Meat Hens I raised when they were in the freezer). Stats can be construed so many ways.

[welsh]

I remember during the institution of the Gun Registry a survey was conducted of the general population and there was less than 5% support for the need for hunting in today's society. They don't buy the 'meat' theory and see it only as killing wildlife for sport.

In fact, surveys show over 80% of the general public support hunting for food.

Support drops off rapidly when hunting is characterized as "trophy hunting."

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[Badenoch]

In fact, surveys show over 80% of the general public support hunting for food.

Support drops off rapidly when hunting is characterized as "trophy hunting."

What hurts us the most are the dimwits who post pictures of their African trophies on Facebook. Worst are the losers who kill giraffes. I've worked in southern Africa and giraffe are easy to find, not particularly wary (lions excepted) and not in great demand as food. Shooting a giraffe would require the same degree of hunting acumen as shooting a Canada goose waddling around a municipal park in Ontario.

[trimmer21]

In fact, surveys show over 80% of the general public support hunting for food.

Support drops off rapidly when hunting is characterized as "trophy hunting."

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Trophy hunting usually gets a very adverse reaction among Canadian hunters,too,until the intricacies and nuances of African game preserve hunts with professional outfitters are explained in detail by those who have had that experience.