Hunting: Real Hunter

I just found this Website by surfing the web for other information.

Real Hunters is a coalition of conservation-minded sportsmen committed to the protection of our free ranging wildlife, the preservation of our hunting heritage and the principles of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model (NAWCM).

The National Wildlife Federation, along with our State and local conservation partners, established this website to educate concerned citizens of the growing risks commercialized wildlife presents to free ranging wildlife, the economics of recreational hunting and the American way of managing wildlife. Some of our State partners include: Indiana Bowhunters Association, Indiana Fair Chase Alliance, Indiana Division of the Izaak Walton League, Indiana Sportsmen's Roundtable, Indiana Wildlife Federation, West Virginia Wildlife Federation.

Please visit their website and support them in their important work to promote our hunting heritage and ethical hunting.

Hunting: Anti-World Hunting Association Petition Update

As of this writing over 1,032 hunters have signed the Online Petition against the World Hunting Association. It is important that many more hunters sign this important document and make their voice heard. You can read and sign the petition here.

You can read my earlier article about the Anti-World Hunting Association here.

In an e-mail Greg Russell, the author of the Anti-World Hunting Association Petiton, told me that the petition will sent to all hunting industry companies, outfitters, game farms, outdoor writers and last but by no means state and federal political representatives. This is good, especially in the light of the fact that many states begin to debate on new laws that should outlaw commercial “hunting” high fenced game farms. This petition might just be the ammunition they need to speed up such a law.

It seems despite all the information available that there are still some hunters who do not know what the anger and outrage about the World Hunting Association is about. A hunter asked me per e-mail, “What do you have against hunting?” Well, I have nothing against hunting, of course not. I am as passionate a hunter as millions of others. I am also passionate in the preservation of our hunting heritage.

But the point is that, even so, the World Hunting Association uses – abuses – the word “hunting” in the company title, it has nothing whatsoever to do with hunting. Sending some camo clad man into a high fenced enclosure to shoot tranquilizer darts at domesticated livestock deer and collecting a big jackpot check for who ever shoots the biggest livestock deer buck, has about as much to do with hunting or the spirit of hunting as cattle farming and beef processing does. This comparison is not as far fetched as some might think. Deer farmers are no different that other livestock farmers.

It's a shame that the World Hunting Association refuses to listen to hunters and the hunting industry. Instead they keep saying that everybody is wrong and they are right. My last search on Goggle showed 13,000,000 search results and over 99% of the links are against the WHA, that to me is an overwhelming majority who has not asked for or wants the WHA, as they claim on their website.

Sign the Petiton now! Thank you.

Hunting: Bear hunting boon for cubs, study indicates

Finally the truth is out about the positive impact of proper wildlife management carried out by hunters.

Bear hunting boon for cubs, study indicates

Edmonton, Canada — Regulated bear hunting may actually improve a newborn cub's chances of survival, suggests new research from the University of Alberta.

The finding contradicts theories that hunting creates higher rates of ursine infanticide as adult male bears, chased from their regular range, kill cubs they have not sired.

The research, being reviewed for publication by the bear biology journal Ursus, found that cubs had a 25 per cent better chance of survival in an Alberta area where black bear hunting is allowed than in a neighbouring region where it is forbidden.

“We compared a hunted population and an unhunted population,” said Sophie Czetwertynski, a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta. “In the hunted population, we had much higher cub survival and higher productivity of females.”

Some biologists argue that hunting forces adult male bears to move from their accustomed ranges. That disrupts the social structure and brings males into contact with females they wouldn't normally meet.

Read full article here

News: Petition against the World Hunting Association

By now everybody knows about the travesty that is the World Hunting Association. Although they use the term “hunting” it has nothing whatsoever to do with hunting. Capturing livestock deer on a farm is not hunting. The ideals of the WHA are at best highly unethical and these not only according to the hunter ethics code but also according to the veterinary ethics code.

Every veterinarian, wildlife biologist and wildlife researcher cringes at the very idea that tranquilizer drugs are used for fun without serving any medical or research purpose. Tranquilized animals are not unconscious they are just immobilized, meaning they are still fully aware what goes on around them. Suffering stress, anxiety and panic are common, and often fatal, side effects of tranquilizing animals. In fact what the WHA plans to do constitutes cruelty to animals for the purpose entertainment.

As ethical hunters we cannot stand by and watch this happen. Hunters form around the world are opposed to this travesty and blatant abuse of our hunting heritage. We never asked for a catch and release entertainments show in which animals are made to suffer for money. Thousands of hunters have voiced their disgust that ultimately was the cause for all WHA sponsors to pull their support. The WHA has no support in the hunting community and the hunting industry whatsoever. Despite it the WHA is determined to go ahead as planned and give our hunting heritage a bad name in the public eye.

It therefore is now time to sign a petition and force the WHA so listen to the voice of the vast majority and draw the conclusions from it ones and for all. Please take the time and sign the petition against the World Hunting Association, by visiting the link below.

PETITION
To: World Hunting Association
To: All White-Tail Deer Hunters, Outdoor Gear Manufacturers, all outdoor products vendors, Outdoor Publications, Outdoor Writers and Hunting Forums.

David Farbman, Commissioner and CEO of the new, so called World Hunting Association, (WHA) has outraged hunters all across the United States by announcing his plans to conduct what they call a non-lethal hunting tournament. In effect, they intend to have dart and release deer hunting tournaments, in which the deer will be shot with medicines to tranquilize the animal, to then be scored and judged, before being revived, and released back into the “wilds” of the high fence area the hunts will take place.

The entire hunting community has made it clear in no uncertain terms, that this plan by Farbman and the WHA is unacceptable, and in no way represents any in our ranks who support only fair chase, ethical hunting. Most, if not all sponsors have pulled their names and support from this blight on the hunting world, and outdoor companies and hunters alike are most vocal in their outrage over the inception of this ridiculous idea.
Read the full version and sign the petition here.

News: Blagojevich Ally Calls for House to House Gun Searches

CHICAGO, July 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF):

The ISRA-PVF is asking Governor Blagojevich to explain why one of his political allies is calling for house-to-house searches to locate and confiscate legally-owned firearms.

Earlier this month, Cook County Board member Joseph Moreno stood before the county board and called for "...house to house searches to pull every gun out of Cook County." Moreno's statement comes within days of Blagojevich claiming that anyone in Chicago who owns a gun is a "gang banger" and is "...up to no good."

"I think the timing of the Blagojevich and Moreno remarks is more than just coincidence," commented ISRA-PVF spokesman, Richard Pearson. "During the July 6th dedication of the Sparta shooting complex, Blagojevich didn't mince any words when he essentially declared that any gun-owner north of I-80 is a criminal. Then, days later, a powerful member of the Cook County Board calls for police sweeps against the homes of lawful gun owners. These statements didn't happen by accident -- the intent is clear."

"Normally, the Blagojevich and Moreno statements would be laughable," continued Pearson. "However, Blagojevich has the potential means for authorizing police raids on gun-owning homes. House Bill 2414 remains alive in a House committee awaiting a call for a vote. If passed into law, HB2414 would result in the banning and forced confiscation of millions of lawfully-acquired firearms from law-abiding Illinois citizens. The raids would be aided by a database of firearm owners being maintained illegally by the Illinois State Police."

"Blagojevich is fond of saying that gun owners have nothing to fear from him," said Pearson. "If vilification of gun owners and wild-eyed calls for house to house gun searches aren't reasons to fear this administration, then I don't know what are. It's time for the governor to address the gun owners of this state and tell us why we should trust him."

Contact: Richard Pearson of ISRA Political Victory Fund, 815-635-3166

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The ISRA-PVF is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. A copy of its report is available for a fee from the Illinois state board of elections.
http://www.usnewswire.com/

News: Woman On Mountain Bike Crashes Into Black Bear

DENVER Triathlete Sabrina Oei was speeding downhill at nearly 40 mph, cycling through the Colorado foothills, when a black bear brought her to a sudden, painful, stop.

Oei (pronounced “OU’-eee”) slammed broadside into the bear when it wandered onto the race course Sunday. She went airborne, then slid on her back across the pavement.

She wasn’t seriously injured and even finished the triathlon. The bear didn’t seem to be hurt, either, scampering back into the woods. But the unusual high-speed encounter is a dramatic example of what experts are seeing across the West as drought forces bears to forage farther for food while urban development pushes into formerly wild areas.

Oei said she was focusing on the paved trail in the Boulder Peak Triathlon, which draws more than 1,400 athletes to a course just three miles outside of Boulder. She spotted the bear out of the corner of her eye and knew in a flash she had no way to avoid it.

“It was just unbelievable,” Oei said Monday, recovering from scrapes and bruises. “In that moment you think, ‘I’m going to hit this bear.”‘

Oei’s encounter is the latest anecdotal evidence coming in from around the West this year: In Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, a bear climbed into a vintage convertible July 2 and snacked on pizza and beer as a crowd gathered. In Alaska, a bear charged a jogger in an Anchorage city park this month. In Colorado Springs, a woman came home to find a bear rummaging through her refrigerator last week.

Colorado Division of Wildlife biologist Jerry Apker said encounters are up and will likely become even more frequent next month when bears start packing on weight for the winter.

“By mid-August, they start shifting gears when they start feeding. They might be foraging 22 hours a day,” he said.

Read more

The Heat Is On

Currently most of the world suffers from a heat wave. Factories and schools are closed. Finally the heat wave hit British Columbia too. It’s 23 Celsius (74F), hot enough to fry eggs and bacon on the car hood. To hot to go out of the house, even the dog refuses to be taken on his daily walk. I wanted to go on a scouting trip but I would have to be out of my mind to stomp around in the woods in this heat, even the birds quit singing. The streets are pleasantly devoid of any traffic the shops are empty too or even closed due to the heat. In short it is a boring weekend, which I spend in my air-conditioned office catching up on long due work and the latest news and happenings.

The only good news about this heat wave is that I do not have to mow the lawn, which has turned into shades of brown. Interestingly enough, the only green in the lawn are the weeds. It’s a bit like with the World Hunting Association. Despite all the heat they got from the hunting community and industry the stubbornly refuse to wilt and turn brown. Like the weed in my lawn the WHA seems to feed of the heat.

News: WHA Hunting Competition Moves Forward

Criticism Doesn't Stop the Show
by Jim Shepherd
posted July 19, 2006

Yesterday, the much-maligned World Hunting Association (WHA) announced the first of the eight professional hunters who will ostensibly be competing in the non-fatal hunting tour when it kicks off in Gladwin, Michigan this fall. The WHA has been the subject of considerable discussion, criticism and condemnation from a wide cross-section of the outdoor community. From the National Shooting Sports Foundation to the Quality Deer Management Association, leaders have stepped forward to condemn the idea of Michigan entrepreneur and hunting enthusiast David Farbman as everything from "cruel" to "another huckster's bad idea"

The initial hunter selection, however, seems to say that while the WHA may not be the most widely-accepted idea, the folks behind the organization are apparently sincere about trying to put the best face on hunting and hunters possible.

Read the full article in the Chattanoogan.com

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If true and not just another media gimmick of the WHA then this is very bad news for our hunting heritage. But I am still hopeful that this travesty can be prevented. Especially in light of the fact that more states conceder laws to outlaw high fence "hunting game farms". We as ethical hunters need to keep the pressure up on the WHA and anyone else remotely associated with it.

People: Meet Brian Warner

Just over a year ago I met Brian Warner on the Ohio Camp Cook Forum. Brian has been an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman for all of his life, or at least as far back as he can remember. He tells me that as a child he would use hand-me-down rods and reels to fish. That sounds familiar. I guess most hunters and fishermen started out that way. Brian also discovered his passion for wood carving and that is where this story begins.

From childhood onward Brian was used to fixing up his own fishing gear or in his own words: ‘put together some contraption to be able to fish”. That way he learned to fix or make himself what he needed. Now lets make a big leap in time and go fast-forward to the year 2005. While Brian recovered from a lengthy illness he had to stay home and his hunting was limited to three times for the entire season and only for an hour or two at the most. In order to release some of the frustration he picked up a pocket knife and a chunk of wood and he started to carve until his first fishing lure emerged.

A young friend of Brian’s suggested that he should carve some more lures and take them fishing. Brian went to work right away. Having made the first handful of fishing lures Brian took pictures and showed them off at the Ohio Camp Cook forum and that is where I have seen what Brian is able to do with a pocketknife and a chunk of wood. I was simply amazed and so were all the other forum members. We cheered and encouraged him to make more lures. Some members, including myself, ordered custom made lures by Brian. It didn’t take long and the first “trophy” pictures appeared on the forum of members who caught fish with his lures. The message was out – Brian Warner’s hand carved lures do catch fish- and lots of them!

From here on Brian Warner got inventive with his lure carving. Soon new and better looking lures appeared in the “catalogue”. Brian said, “Next thing I know, I'm making lures with gold leaf, sterling silver leaf, experimenting with different woods and shapes.” For Brian, also an avid turkey and duck hunter, the next logical step was to try his carving hand on turkey and duck calls. In recent weeks Brian has carved a few prototype turkey and duck calls. Brian is modest about his craft and calls his efforts “nice looking”. I call it terrific looking. There is very little doubt in my mind that Brian’s game calls and fish lures will become collector items in a very short time, perhaps even heirlooms. All the lures and calls are custom made and personalized.

Asking Brian what he likes about wood carving he answered: “Working with wood has always been a fun thing for me to do. In school I was good at it and I got to use my hands. I could see what I was making as I worked. Watch it come along until it was what I wanted it to become.” He likes wood because he can see the carving in the wood grain and the texture. He told me, when I asked why he uses wood and not other, more modern, materials, “The lure or game call head is there in the wood, all you have to do is find it, and let it shine through.” But there is more to it for Brian; carving his own game calls and fishing lures is part of the hunting and fishing heritage. Before big companies began to manufacture these items outdoorsmen would carve their own lures and game calls. “In a way, what I do is relive a little history and share it with others. The game calls are about the same thing. A game call is a musical instrument. The wood, the shape even the finishes all play a part in the music it plays. Like a guitar, the wood sounds better than it's plastic counterpart.” I could not agree more with that statement.

Just as I was about to finish this article Brian informed me that he had come up with an idea for a deer grunt call. Knowing Brian I am sure that the idea soon will become a reality. I am looking forward to seeing many more of his lures and game call creations and like I said, not only do they look good and unique but they actually work. It’s not surprising to me in a way, a man like Brian dedicated to the outdoors armed with a keen knowledge gained from many years of experience simply knows what works. Gifted with talent he turns what works into art too- it can’t get any better than that.

You can see more of Brians fishing lures and game calls here.

If you would like more information on Brian’s fishing lures and game calls or have your own personalized ones made please email him.

People: Bob Hice in Memoriam

In Memory of Bob Hice, 1924 - 2006

I just learned today the sad news that on Friday May, 5, Bob Hice, inventor of the Tree-Lounge Tree Stand, passed away due to complications with Parkinson's Disease.

Many people considered Bob to be one of the innovators of tree stand hunting. Bob first came out with the Tree-Lounge treestand in 1980. Bob started selling the Tree-Lounge out of the back of his pickup truck on the side of the road and at local fairs. Through hard work, he grew Tree-Lounge into a multi-million dollar business. Bob and his wife Margaret became hunting icons in the early 1990s with their hunting videos.

Bob worked as the cameraman on these videos while Margaret did the hunting. Over the last 15 years, Tree-Lounge has given away more than 2 million of these free hunting videos. Bob's main goal in business was to provide every hunter with the safest and most comfortable tree stand possible.

Many successful hunters have used Bobs "Tree-Lounge Method of Hunting" to harvest big buck's over the years. Bob's theory was to hunt high out of a deer's scent and sight range, hunt all day and hunt safely. He felt that the Tree-Lounge was the only stand that offered all of these features.

Bob Hice has been a well respected icon amongst hunters and in the hunting industry, a man who lived his dream of the outdoors to the fullest. Men like Bob reinforce age old qualities like, hard work, integrity, ingenuity, tenacity, and morals to name a few, traits not common in today's society. He will be missed by many but his spirit will live on in his quality product and in many camp fire stories. Farewell Bob and thank you for your time, effort and dedication. God bless your family who will proudly carry on your legacy.

Remembering Bob Hice
Tree-Lounge

News: QDM speaks out against the WHA

Yet another large hunting organization speaks out against the World Hunting Association. In a personal meeting with Faberman, the CEO of the WHA, the Quality Deer Management Association tells him that they oppose his organization. Lets hope that the WHA finally will get the message we are trying so hard to get across to the WHA. WE DO NOT WANT YOU! WE DO NOT NEED YOU! WE NEVER ASKED FOR IT!

The Quality Deer Management Association announced today its opposition to the World Hunting Association (WHA) and its proposed deer hunting tournament series. “We have been following this issue closely since it surfaced and now have enough facts to state unequivocally that the QDMA does not support the WHA or its proposed hunting competition,” QDMA Executive Director Brian Murphy said.

In an effort to fully understand the WHA program, Murphy recently accepted an offer from WHA CEO David Farbman to meet and discuss the details of the program. Murphy and other QDMA staff members met July 6th with Farbman at the QDMA’s National Headquarters in Georgia.

During the meeting, the QDMA staff raised numerous objections to WHA’s program and encouraged Farbman to terminate the program or, at the very least, to make radical changes including, among others, eliminating the darting/drugging aspect in favor of actual harvest and moving the “competition” outside of fenced enclosures.

However, even if WHA makes these and other suggested program modifications, the QDMA will remain opposed to WHA’s hunting tournament format, where “hunters” will be rewarded with cash and prizes for drugging or killing deer in a competitive environment.

“There are too many objectionable issues associated with this program to be something the QDMA can support – even if it is substantially modified,” Murphy said. “Deer hunting is not a competitive sport, nor is it similar to bass fishing or any form of angling where competition can and does occur.” Simply put, WHA’s program violates many elements of QDMA’s mission of ethical hunting, sound deer management and preservation of the deer-hunting heritage – values shared by the vast majority of deer hunters in North America.

The QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with more than40,000 members in all 50 states and several foreign countries.

News: The World Hunting Association a vision of God?

Has the CEO and Commissioner of the WHA, David Faberman, finally gone nuts or does he just have no shame whatsoever?

Here is what he said in an interview conducted by Phil Bloom from The Journal Gazette.

"I believe the World Hunting Association is God’s vision," he said. " Now our job, with the awesome team I’m working with, is to execute and make this a reality.

The funny thing is that I in one of my first articles about the WHA asked; “Does Faberman see himself as God’s gift to hunting?” I guess he does now. I can see that this statement will anger many religious hunters too. It seems whenever Faberman or one of his cronies opens their mouth they loose more credibility and look more ridicules.

If it would not be a matter of great concern to real and ethical hunting I would split my sides laughing at these clowns.

News: E-Mail from a WHA Supporter

Here is an e-mail that I received today in support of the WHA. The writer of this email engages in the typical assumptions about others to make his point in defense of something as outrages as the WHA.

Othmar,
Your comment about me in your post is a typical response from someone that knows nothing about hunting and diversity. Why did you assume that the guy in the chair is not the hunter? Oh it blows your mind to think some one paralyzed might actually hunt successfully for mature bucks?

My comment:
Mr. Albertson refers here to my article “The Fake Science of the WHA” and the statement I made about a wheelchair bound person. At no time have I said, assumed or insinuated that the handicapped person is not a hunter or that handicapped persons can’t hunt successfully. Being involved in disabled hunter programs I am fully aware that disabled hunters can be very successful.

I am Hack Albertson, and I have been a paraplegic for 12 and half years now. Those deer in the video are mine that I killed and mounted myself. There is not a more passionate hunter alive than me. There were no other WHA hunters in the video than me. I will compare my bucks to yours any day.

My comment:
There where other man in the video wearing camouflage and shaking the disabled hunters hand. For me hunting, real hunting, is not about big bucks and trophies hanging on the wall. To me hunting is about the experiences I have, the friendships I make and most importantly following an age-old heritage that is part of our human nature. Hunting is not a sport where trophy bucks are doped up behind a high fence of a deer farm for the sport and money. Hunting to me is to go back to our human roots and play our part in nature. Shooting at “livestock” on a deer farm is not hunting, not wildlife conservation and most certainly not what the hunting heritage is all about. Given the choice of killing a trophy "livestock" buck behind a high fence or to be "condemned" to harvesting does for the rest of my life in the wilderness I would happily and without a second hesitation choose the does. I am a hunter, not a "livestock" butcher. My hunting conviction begins and ends with fair chase and playing my part in wildlife conservation, not to be confused with livestock management.

The WHA is a very charitable organization as will be proven by the donations that will be made to different charitable organizations. There will also be a number of underprivileged kids that will be given equipment to keep and trained for the hunt of their lifetime. Let alone the meat that will be donated by the number of deer we will cull from management properties.

My comment:
I have no doubt in my mind that the WHA engages in charities. All large companies do that. While some do it form the heart and feel that they can make a real difference most do it because being “charitable” and donating money to “good” causes is tax deductible and that very often is the only incentive to be charitable. There are a large number of beef farmers who too donate meat to charities. Deer farming is as much livestock farming as beef farming.

I wanted you to at least have some facts on your censored blog.

My comment:
The readers will decide about the “fact” part. However I am rejecting that my blogs Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer, Whitetail Deer Passion and NEW Wild Turkey Fever are censored. This is a hunter and fisher information blog and visitors are more than welcome to comment on my posts and articles. All comments are welcome, even the controversial ones. The only safeguard in the comments section is that I have “moderation” enabled. The reason for this safety measure is that unfortunately there are some people who do not believe in hunting, fishing and meat consumption. A large majority of these people are not prepared to discuss their agenda in a well-mannered fashion. Instead these people resort to personal insults and even threatening. It is this kind of comments that I will not tolerate on any of my blogs. Other than that I am open-minded and respect other peoples opinions for what they are regardless if I agree with them or not and thus every comment free of insults, racism, hatred and obscenities will be posted here.

So feel free at any time and communicate with others and me here at Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer.

Misc.: If there is a battle, animal rights folks are winning

I found this article the Ithaca Journal and thought that I posted here. As a member of many hunting forums I have to agree with the article. As hunters we do spend an inordinate amount of time complaining about issues and even fighting each other for no other reason than subscribing to a different hunting segment. Just mention crossbows on bow hunting forums and you understand what I mean!

In the past I have been involved to motivate hunter support for different issues pertaining to hunting and found often that it is near to impossible to gather enough support to build a force to be reckoned with. Here we can learn from the animal rights activists, they love what they are doing and leave no opportunity pass by to fight hard for what they believe in. In fact they see themselves as “crusaders” for their cause. That is an attitude we hunters should adopt too if we truly want to save our hunting heritage for future generations.

We too can stick together and fight for our heritage. We have proven that we can stand together and fight for the same cause. We have done it, and still do it, to fight against the unethical plans of the Word Hunting Association.

If there is a battle, animal rights folks are winning
By: Dave Henderson
Outdoor Column
The Ithaca (NY) Journal


If there truly is a battle between sportsmen and the animal rights folks — and I'm not convinced that there is — things are looking bad for the good guys.
I mean, a battle has two sides. We never lay a glove on them.

If a group like the Humane Society of the United States does not like something, it addresses the situation, organizes and makes a major move. If sportsmen don't like something, they complain to each other. Getting together to form an effective lobby is problematical at best.

For example, HSUS recently organized a coup of sorts by getting its rhetoric placed on postage stamps, a move that raised revenues to further its mission.

Sportsmen had the same opportunity, thanks to the fact that Congress earlier this year retracted an 1872 law that forbade advertisements on U.S. currency, including postage stamps. The amendment paved the way for an experimental one-year trial period allowing companies such as Endicia.com, Stamps.com and Zazzle.com to offer customizable stamps via the Internet.

Our typical reaction is to threaten a boycott of the offending organization. Are we going to boycott the U.S. Postal Service? The threat has worked with Accord Hotels, Jeep and some dog food companies in recent years, but was pretty much ignored when boycotts were threatened against big companies like AT&T, America On-Line, Sara Lee, Pepsi-Cola.

The animal rights folks are very organized, well-financed and proactive. They are professionals, doing what they do for a living. Sportsmen are regular guys trying to enjoy themselves on their day off. Splintered, unfunded and haplessly reactive, sportsmen will never have an organized voice.

We're simply too fragmented to ever be effective. Bow hunters are constantly at odds with gun hunters, and always seem to be bickering within their own ranks. Waterfowlers who hunt swamps battle their brethren who prefer big water for hunting dates — and neither has respect for deer hunters. Fly fishers and meat anglers don't get along — and don't mention bass fishermen to either of them. Skeet shooters don't deal with trapshooters and both are looked down upon by the sporting clays crowd.

The New York Rifle and Pistol Association is calling the New York Conservation Council names, for Pete's sake.

Go to a sportsmen's club meeting and you're likely to find that a handful of dedicated members, usually older guys, doing all the work while the rest of the membership reaps the benefits and complain about the work that is done or not done. Those few at the meeting are more concerned with who is going to mow the lawn, order targets or recycle the soda cans than on programs to promote their interests.

Sportsmen's biggest enemy isn't the “anti” crowd, but rather themselves.

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Feel free to comment on this topic and give your input.

News: WHA dragged into the Court?

Yesterday I reported about the fake science statement with which the World Hunting Association tries to give itself off as a sincere hunting company. In that post I also said that “They simply don’t get it”. Well they might get it now. Today I read the following news clip in the Washington Times.

Eastman not sponsoring WHA -- On June 21, I wrote about the World Hunting Association (WHA) and its plans to begin global hunting contests with contestants using weapons that employ tranquilizers, rather than deadly bullets. It sounded as if the WHA wanted to begin a kind of "catch-and-release" hunting method. The WHA's announcement included a statement that said Eastman Outdoors, the makers of famous Carbon Express arrows and other products, would be one of its corporate sponsors. Not so, says Eastman. "I want to let you know that neither Eastman Outdoors, Inc., nor Gorilla Treestands sponsors the WHA," said Julie Legeret, marketing assistant for Eastman.
Legeret added that David Farbman, the president of the WHA, listed Eastman as a sponsor without its consent or a signed sponsorship agreement.
"We strongly disagree with the World Hunting Association and we want consumers to know that," Legeret said.

This should be enough to “kill” the World Hunting Association. It’s about time too, because I am eager to report about other hunting and fishing issues and happenings. Like about Brian Warner who is an amazing person and wood craftsman. He uses his talents to carve the most beautiful fishing lures and game calls that I only can describe as pieces of art. Stay tuned to read more about Brian Warner and his amazing talent very soon and right here.

News: The Fake Science of the WHA

Chuck Sykes, wildlife biologist, host of a TV show and consultant to the WHA, has updated the WHA website with some pretty questionable “scientific” statements. Reading the statements makes me wonder how any scientist could come up with such gibberish. Of course, you have to consider that it is the World Hunting Association that pays his salary and you know the old saying: “The piper calls the tune”. Or in this case, what to say."

Sykes tells us about the safety of the “chemical immobilization process to be used in the white-tail deer competitions.” He speaks of drugs like Xylazine* and Telazol* (*Read the footnote to understand what side effects these drugs can have in animals). He tries in vain to put a scientific spin on what essentially is nothing more than tranquilizing animals for fun and sport. I am sure the majority of serious wildlife scientist’s cringe at the very notion that animals should be doped up to their eyeballs just for fun. Especially since scientists and veterinarians use utmost caution in tranquilizing wild animals and only do so as a very last resort. Serious scientists know of the high risk associated in administering drugs to wildlife.

Sykes then goes on in the same breath to say that “The WHA believes that Chemical Immobilization is a very serious event that must always be done properly and can never be taken lightly.” You bet! Having "hunters" without special training shooting immobilization drugs at animals for fun and sport does not sound “very serious” to me. Even if they are, according to Sykes, followed around by a licensed veterinarian.

We are led to believe that there will be veterinarians on hand to provide the post “capture” care to the animals and that these veterinarians also will perform other scientific procedures on the immobilized animal. This makes me really think that the WHA just doesn’t get it why hunters are upset and outraged about this scheme to make hunting a spectator’s sport. Hunters, even the 20 to 30 something years old’s which the WHA tries to attract, have not, and will never will support a sport where "hunters" shoot for fun potentially lethal drugs at animals behind high fencing that have no way of escaping or avoiding what’s coming to them. Besides the ethical hunting questions behind this "sport", there are also the ethical medical questions of administering drugs to animals with all the known side effects for no medical or scientific purpose whatsoever, but for fun and money- up to 60,000 dollars for the lucky tournament winner.

Chuck Sykes goes on to claim that the "WHA believes in responsible herd management. We will be harvesting a large number of does, as well as a number of cull bucks…” That almost made me laugh if I would not feel a distinct sense of nausea the more I read about this high fence fun-and-games-drugging-sport. Notice how he carefully avoids the words ‘wildlife management’. That is what real hunting is, a modern and very effective way to control wildlife populations. Sykes on the other hand talks about “herd management”; meaning culling does and inferior bucks on a commercial game farm. This has absolutely nothing to do with wildlife management but he tries to imply that this is what he talks about.

Funny thing is, every time the WHA releases a statement on their website they end with “...that hunters should be open minded about this”. You need to have a very open mind to be that gullible as to believe that the WHA even vaguely might have any other interest than making a ton of money. In fact you have to be so open minded that you run the risk that your brain might fall out. He closes the letter with “Thank you for hearing some factual evidence…” So far we have heard no factual evidence, only half smart propaganda and made-up facts in order to gain credibility for something that is outrageous and convoluted and that could very well mean the end of hunting altogether if this scam is permitted to take place as planned in October of 2006. I’ll bet the anti hunters and animal rights people will be sitting on the sidelines and waiting as we speak, ready to pounce at the chance to discredit hunting even more using the WHA and their unethical sport-game-shooting-fun approach as an example.

Also new on the WHA website is a short video introduction, showing us some of the competitors in the tournament. The “Dark Archer” ( Brett Hankins, Prostaff of Natural Gear Camouflage and Mathews Bows.) The “Doctor” ( Karl Zainitzer, Producer and Manager of X-treme Outdoors. LLC ) The “Machine” ( Hack Albertson, I have found no hunting industry connection about him. ), and the “Lone Wolf” (Billy Stephenson. I have found no hunting industry connection about him.) You can see them like serious hunters stalking monster bucks with dart arrows and dart guns behind the high fence of a deer farm, smiling in the hopes of getting one of these big cardboard checks with $ 60,000 printed on them to show off to the camera. They just don’t get it.

Oh yes, at the end of the video they show a few of their men - I refuse to call them hunters - shaking hands with what appears to be a wheelchair bound person. Now if I would be a handicapped person I would be highly offended by this cheap stunt to appear to be charitable minded. So far all we have seen of Faberman and his World Hunting Association is that they don’t give a damn what other people think or how they feel and happily carry on with their plans and still worse, tell us, the majority, that we are not open minded and old fashioned. In other words they are right and we are all just imbeciles that need to lighten up. In fact they see themselves as Gods gift and salvation to our hunting heritage. I wonder who’s close-minded here, or simply does not take “NO” for an answer. Like I said. They simply don’t get it.

In all of this we need to remind ourselves that it is illegal in most civilized countries to harass and torment wild animals for fun. This is the reason why the WHA can only operate on high fence wild game farms.

Check back here often, as I will keep you updated on the action taken by the hunting community and industry to stop this unethical and immoral scam. This issue is still red hot and the final words have not been spoken yet. In the meantime keep up the pressure on the WHA, their competitors, and the companies who call these “hunters” their pro-staff. Let them know how you feel about their association or their pro-staff members association with the WHA.

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Footnote:
Known and frequent side effects of the immobilizing drugs Xylazine andTelazolthe are; muscle spasms, cramps, disorientation, high heart rate, panic attacks, insomnia, appetite loss, extreme fatigue, hallucinations, confusion and loss of orientation. All of these are symptoms that are highly detrimental to an animal. The after-immobilization care should consist of at least 24 hours of close observation of the patient in a controlled medical environment. As an animal behaviorist, I have worked closely with many veterinarians and spent a lot of time in clinical animal observation areas. I have seen first hand how much time and dedication is needed to observe an animal and make sure it has a full recovery from immobilization. The procedures are very similar to those in place for humans. And it is quite expensive too! Somehow I am having a hard time believing that the money driven WHA would go to such extreme and (very) expensive lengths to monitor an animal that has been tranquilized for fun and money by a person with a bow or gun in the hopes he will win the $ 60,000 jackpot.

News: Grandma Got Run Over by a Whitetail Deer

While watching television, 75-year-old Mary Blake got up to let her dog out and inadvertently let an overprotective whitetail doe in. "She started trampling me, she wanted me dead," Blake told WKYC News. "I punched her in the nose and karate chopped her," said Blake, but it was her dog Buddy that eventually distracted the deer. Having seen the fawn that the doe was trying to protect, Blake didn’t blame the deer for the numerous cuts and bruises it gave her. But she had no illusions about the animal’s intentions, either. “It was trying to kill me, that’s not Bambi you know.” Read more.

News: Fishermen Charged With Cheating

Associated Press

Two fishing buddies were charged with 10 felonies after being accused of cheating in fishing tournaments on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley on the Kentucky-Tennessee line.

Dwayne E. Nesmith, 43, of Island, and Brian K. Thomas, 31, of Dawson Springs, were indicted on nine counts of theft and attempted theft.

The men allegedly stashed five live bass in a fish basket at the Relay for Life Buddy Bass Tournament on April 30, and then scooped them up for the weigh-in.

Nesmith and Thomas were witnessed picking up the fish early on the morning of April 30, then putting their catch in the boat, said Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Sgt. Bill Snow.

That sparked an investigation into tournaments the pair had previously won, Snow said. The two men were arrested Tuesday.

Tags: Bass , Fishing , Tournament