Bear Speared

[Obi-wanShinobi]

Legal hunt. Did nothing wrong.
Don't cave to the anti.

Agree with this.

[MikePal]

Supporting his actions in the hunt, after the hunt and his words regarding the hunt is idiotic and backwards.

I think it's the quite the opposite...NOT supporting him as a hunter that has done nothing wrong in regards to the laws, regulations and methods he used is a step backwards for all hunters. As the Rebel video points out, we are losing ground due to the political backlash, not from condemnation from the hunting community.

...well, that may not be totally true...we seem to have some Benedict Arnolds on here ..LOL..

[Dythbringer]

I think it's the quite the opposite...NOT supporting him as a hunter that has done nothing wrong in regards to the laws, regulations and methods he used is a step backwards for all hunters. As the Rebel video points out, we are losing ground due to the political backlash, not from condemnation from the hunting community.

...well, that may not be totally true...we seem to have some Benedict Arnolds on here ..LOL..

Well put. Anytime we condemn a hunter who follows all the necessary laws for killing and animal (whether we personally like the way the animal was hunted or not) is a blow to all hunting.

The blowback on this is huge of course. He isn't using a traditional method of modern hunting to kill a bear and his "celebration" and attitude in the email afterwards wasn't the best way to be viewed by everyone. But the two are mutually exclusive to one another. If you have a problem with the fact he used a spear to kill a bear, you best not bowhunt at all. The death of the animal is done in the exact same manner (hemorrhaging). Would guys have an issue if he did this with a bow? If so, why? Many of the argument "barbaric"/"archaic" were used when bowhunting was trying to become mainstream and nowadays, bowhunting is a perfectly legal, ethical way to hunt an animal.

[Bigbear]

Anyone who says "it was legal" so it's all good, and nothing else matters, just doesn't get it. His actions, though legal are already restricting hunting opportunities and re-writing regulations against hunters. The fact that it's legal is nearly irrelevant.
How we carry ourselves, is as important to our future as obeying the laws.
he has proven himself to be a poor steward, and if he continues to act in this manner he will continue to hurt hunters, but what does he care? he got his hunt, now he's out of Alberta and doesn't care that the laws will change because he has a child's mind. Supporting his actions in the hunt, after the hunt and his words regarding the hunt is idiotic and backwards.

Exactly. Entirely predictable.

And the "just don't get it" crowd will ultimately be responsible for (by youtubing, tweeting and means not yet dreamed of) the eventual prohibition of hunting in Western society.

[MikePal]

Exactly. Entirely predictable.

And the "just don't get it" crowd will ultimately be responsible for (by youtubing, tweeting and means not yet dreamed of) the eventual prohibition of hunting in Western society.

Why is it so hard to differentiate his hunting from the fact that he posted a video of his actions ?

This issue is that some hunters seem to like 'sharing' their hunts, but by doing so they are allowing the general public to better scrutinize what we do. Remember the B.C Grizzly Bear hunt last year..you'd think guys would have learned from that debacle.

It's not about hiding or being embarrassed by what we do...it's about keeping the videos off social media.

It has nothing to do with the hunt itself, he did nothing wrong and we should support him on that...that's what some don't seem to get.

[Bigbear]

Why is it so hard to differentiate his hunting from the fact that he posted a video of his actions ?

This issue is that some hunters seem to like 'sharing' their hunts, but by doing so they are allowing the general public to better scrutinize what we do. Remember the B.C Polar Bear hunt last year..you'd think guys would have learned from that debacle.

It's not about hiding or being embarrassed by what we do...it's about keeping the videos off social media.

It has nothing to do with the hunt itself, he did nothing wrong and we should support him on that...that's what some don't seem to get.

Exactly. Go hunting...use a gun, or a bow and arrow, or a spear, or any other legal means - but STFU and keep it to yourself.

[JBen]

We don't have to refrain from posting stuff on social media. We ( or some people anyways) need to "clean it up". I've posted all kinds of stuff on FB. What I post is tasteful, and uses some discretion. How many shots do you see in OOD of entrails, or large amounts of blood, etc, etc? More thoughtful of viewers, and less "grandstanding". The fact he didn't edit out some portions speaks volumes imo.

In the end, this is causing us all kinds of grief.
Do I support hunting? Yep, just as I support the clubbing of baby harp seals.
Do I support this individual? No, because like too many he hasn't learned, and the blow back is substantial. Especially given he's American, and it's Albertans paying the price.

[Gun Nut]

Why is it so hard to differentiate his hunting from the fact that he posted a video of his actions ?

This issue is that some hunters seem to like 'sharing' their hunts, but by doing so they are allowing the general public to better scrutinize what we do. Remember the B.C Polar Bear hunt last year..you'd think guys would have learned from that debacle.

It's not about hiding or being embarrassed by what we do...it's about keeping the videos off social media.

It has nothing to do with the hunt itself, he did nothing wrong and we should support him on that...that's what some don't seem to get.

First MikePal, Let me say, I think you've hit the nail right on, " [COLOR=#333333]It's not about hiding or being embarrassed by what we do...it's about keeping the videos off social media." It's the best way to show our respect for the non-hunter as well as other more sensitive individuals, who would rather be spared the gory details of the hunt. It does nothing for the activity of hunting, and only provides the animal rights groups with ammunition to swing public opinion in their favour. The best example of that was the cancellation of the spring bear hunt here in Ontario a number of years back. Where the governing party, seeking to win an election, reacted to public opinion which had been inflamed by FETA.
Second you've, now mentioned a B.C. polar bear hunt, of last year, a second time. I remember a video that surface last year but I seem to recall it was a grizzly bear hunt, that an animal rights group was using to pressure the B.C. government into banning grizzly trophy hunting in the province. I think the video was that of a grizzly bear hunt stage in Alaska, and extensively edited, but that didn't really seem to matter. It was somewhat of a damning indictment of trophy hunting and it gain a lot of public attention.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop huntying.
- Gun Nut.

[MikePal]

I think the video was that of a grizzly bear hunt stage in Alaska, and extensively edited, but that didn't really seem to matter. It was somewhat of a damning indictment of trophy hunting and it gain a lot of public attention.

Yes you are right, it was a grizzly, my mistake.

You would have though with that video and the Cecil debacle, that hunters would stop posting stuff on social media, knowing how it can come back to flame your azz.

[seabast]

I thought his statement was pretty good, fair and accurate.... If you look for fault, you will find it everywhere and with everyone....

I'm with you on that one, I didn't find much BS on his statement.