donniedent Report post Posted April 12, 2012 In an effort to try and find the roots of certain attitudes in our hunting culture, I have taken time and thought about things a little. We are seeing two opposing forces at work these days to try and gain control of public lands and the uses of those public lands. Because I am a hunter, I look at things from this side of the fence. When I look at the "anti's" I see a generation of old hippie's trying to keep some percieved "protest" alive. Save the whales, save the spotted owl, save the planet... The list goes on. At its heart, its emotionally driven and therefore truly selfish in nature. There's is little logic behind it until you realize its true face and the fact that its all about control. People, by nature, want to be in control of their surroundings. It makes them feel safe. This generation of activists has nearly aborted this country. Roe v. Wade on a national scale. But... They have a counterpart. We have a generation amongst us that is no less self motivated. If we look at the culture of hunting, its has become tainted by the same self interested, self motivated "activism". In the name of conservation, the hippie counterparts have run our culture into the ground. Now, many would claim great accomplishments in conservation but ask yourself this, what was the motive? I think we are seeing the true motive now. That same generation that protested the Vietnam war has taken hunting somewhere it should have never gone. There is now a multi-million dollar industry we now call hunting. A heritage has now been twisted and perverted into a means of monetary gain. Now, I'm a capitolist at heart. The buting and selling of goods is part of what makes this country great but.. The buying and selling of a culture is something different altogether. Those that we now look to lead us in the fight have been found out. It was all about money the whole time. Or maybe, just maybe, intentions were true when the changing of the guard happened. Either way, its perverted. To the next generation of hunters (the young guys) I say this. Its time to step up. Its time to speak up. If you are tired of what you are seeing, don't stay home, don't keep your mouth shut. Its time for us thirty somethings to take the helm. Now, there are good people out there who are older than us and are doing what is right. Look for them, find them, learn from them. We need to right this course our culture is heading on. Go to meetings and get involved. We are the future of hunting, not the ones running things now. Take heed, there are som great people that are in positions of leadership. I could name names but most people know who they are. Now, if you find yourself offended by this post, take a long hard look at your true motives. If you find yourself in a postion to not want the younger generation involved, the writing is on the wall for you my friend. Step aside. Donnie Lee 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted April 12, 2012 I hear and understand what you are saying. Our society breeds selfishness in many forms. The self serving and ignorant thinking of the anti's and hippie activists, who are truly clueless to the big picture. These very people should have what they are passionate about taken away from them. Or maybe forced to hunt for nutrition just as it was in the old days. Hunt or go hungry. They seem to forget that this country was founded on guns, God and Freedom (Thanks Uncle Ted) This country is changing at an alarming rate. Left wing liberalism is rampant, especially in areas where Liberals can play on human emotion. The liberal media does not help matters. The only thing we can do is fight the good fight, for what we believe, and what we are passionate about. Younger generations will have to pick up were we leave off. Our younger generation of hunters deserve the opportunity to enoy the good times and memories of hunting with Dad/Mom, just as I had growing up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzHuntingAddict Report post Posted April 12, 2012 Our founding fathers saw this as they formed this country. Hunting is a heritage we can not lose for so many fought to keep it. I am not about to stand by being "politically correct" anymore. Let it offend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krp Report post Posted April 12, 2012 Yep, luckily the influence of the 60s and early 70s are finally passing as is the influence of 60 to 70 year olds. It's too bad our history of the 'greatest generation' WWII era was followed by our worst since the founding fathers fought for our freedom and crafted our constitution. Hippies went from condemning 'the man' to running our congress, politics, media, societal culture... Old hippies aren't groovy... and they still need a bar of soap to clean up the stink. Kent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted April 13, 2012 Yep, luckily the influence of the 60s and early 70s are finally passing as is the influence of 60 to 70 year olds. It's too bad our history of the 'greatest generation' WWII era was followed by our worst since the founding fathers fought for our freedom and crafted our constitution. Hippies went from condemning 'the man' to running our congress, politics, media, societal culture... Old hippies aren't groovy... and they still need a bar of soap to clean up the stink. Kent LOl. Ain't that the truth. The last 2 years I worked up Montana, right outside Yellowstone National Park. Every May/early June, they have what is called a Buffalo roundup. Cowboys and helicopters are used to push all the Buffalo back into the park for the summer. There is a group everyone call's the "Buffalo hippies" they live in a little commune reffered locally as the "Nation", teepee's and all. These Buffalo hippies flock to the buffalo roundups to make sure that the Buffalo are not being mistreated. They will park in various areas and watch, and wave as people go by. You will not mistake one if you meet them. They smell like something crawled into their pants and died. Dreadlocks and tye dye. I know a bar/restaurant, where the owner actually kicked them out because of their stench. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted April 13, 2012 The best thing we can do is take kids hunting and show them the world we grew up on. Let them fall in love with it and become the next passionate voices. As far as the capitalized motivation for a lot of hunting, that's just natural. I used to dream of finding a way to make a living that was tied to my love for the outdoors and quite frankly sometimes I'm envious of those who have. Just part of the game now, IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
donniedent Report post Posted April 13, 2012 Coach, its a far cry between making a living thru wildlife and exploting wildlife for personal gain. Nobody can deny that some seek to exploit wildlife for personal gain. I absolutely agree with getting youth involved with hunting. That is essential. But, we cannot leave a gap in leadership either. There are plenty of elder statesman so to speak that have been at this a very long time and are looking to pass the torch. Who's going to step up? My generation tends to be apethetic when It comes to taking charge and making things happen. Partly because of our simple apathy towards things and because a lot of us have been ignored. My original post was a tad combative but it was a simple design on my part to hopefully create a fire. Whether we are ignored or simply apethetic matters not, what matters is we aren't stepping up. If you are reading this and you aren't involved... Get involved! Age doesn't matter either. I refer to my age group because that's who I relate to. We are looking at a huge generational gap coming very soon. If we don't step up and get involved who will? We are either going to skip a generation entirely or end up with a bunch of tired 80 year old that say screw it at let it die. Step up guys because the hippies are trainer their troops. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azphil Report post Posted April 13, 2012 Well said Donnie. I often wander thru the site here and see the lack of interest in the political forum. This forum (politics) and bringing youth into the outdoor life are the keys to keeping our sport alive. I'll be there for the waterhole project in 44A - look forward to meeting you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
donniedent Report post Posted April 13, 2012 Well said Donnie. I often wander thru the site here and see the lack of interest in the political forum. This forum (politics) and bringing youth into the outdoor life are the keys to keeping our sport alive. I'll be there for the waterhole project in 44A - look forward to meeting you. Look forward to meeting you too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
