Those nasty hound hunters

Hoss

New member
OK guys, After sitting on the sidelines for quite a few years dating way back to "Shadetree""Posse Country" and now "P.M.", I never felt real compelled to even register. I just sat back and enjoyed the banter of people who enjoyed the sport of fox and coyote hunting no matter how they did it! Even the recent bickering about hound hunting seemed to die down. Now that it is "stirred up" again I would like to weigh in on this matter. On 3/19/02, a Mr. Rhodes made some comments on hound hunting in this forum. On 2/15/02, a Chuck Rhodes stated in MN Outdoor News that quote "maybe the DNR needs to review this matter and impose restrictions or better yet make it illegal"(hound hunting). I can only presume they are one in the same person. The reason these comments caught my eye were because some years ago I felt pretty much the same way. The difference being, I didn`t flame these hound guys in public forums and the main one being I kept an open mind and tried to learn more about this so-called sport!! After asking questions and actually taking the time to actually watch how this hound hunting works----------YEP, you guessed it- I am now one of those "despicable hound guys" and loving it! Mr. Rhodes, before you flame people step back and look at how the public can view your hunting!! Do you call??(you know-the deceiving of innocent animals by imititating their natural food source and then blasting with a gun)Ethical? Sporting? I think so, been doing it here myself 15+ yrs. Do you spot and stalk fox??(you know- the shooting w/ a hi-powered rifle of these innocent creatures while they soak up the suns warmth while sleeping by their home?)Ethical?? Sporting?? I think so, been doing it 20+ yrs myself.Do you deer hunt??(you know-walking thru a deers natural habitat trying to scare the animals to a stander w/a hi-powered weapon who then blasts them)Ethical?? Sporting?? I think so,done it myself 25 years.Does anyone see what I am getting at? Anyone can twist things around to suit their own agenda!!! Randy, feel free to delete this if it is too out of line,if it is I apologize! It just Irks the heck out of me that some close-minded people try to justify what they do and TRAMPLE what others do.

HOSS
 
Hoss,

I think you presented your opinions with respect and decency. I'm glad you weighed in on tnis one.

I am a faithful reader of outdoor news and was, in fact, a writer for them off and on for a few years. I missed that letter from chuck but kept all my recent copies. I'll have to go back and have a look.

I notice a lot of that hunter against hunter thing in the letters section of that paper. Being a resident of Minnesota, I hate to see that happen. I'm not sure why people can't respect a legal method even though they don't agree with it.

But, most importantly, I'm sure glad we flushed you out of the woodwork. Now that you are here, don't be a stranger. Glad to have you here!!!

Randy
 
Boy oh boy! Just what we need another dispicable hound hunter---not /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif . Just kidding Hoss /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif . Welcome and glad to have you. The thing about hound hunting is, there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. From what I have seen, all of these guys are doing it fair chase. Nothing wrong with that. If there were more that looked at the sport like this it wouldn't be in such bad shape. I can tell ya right now that any hunter that thinks his way is the only way is an idiot. If that statement ticks someone off then I would suggest that they look at thier own attittude about what it is that they are doing.

I respect you already for your views and the way that you have chosen to weigh in on this rather touchy subject. You will find that I will play devil's advocate from time to time. Just don't tell anyone lol /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Once again welcome. >>>>>>>>>>>James L.
 
Hoss,

That was one of the best typed messages I have seen in awhile.

It is good to see another Minnesotian on board. So keep posting, and welcome to Predator Masters.

Ryan
 
Welcome to the board, Hoss.

Your post was far from out of line. In fact, thanks for sharing it with us. A respected opinion. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Have all of you taken the time to read my other posts on this issue?. Because your all missing the point here. Instead you just take the natural knee jerk reaction. Calling me and Anti, stirring the pot and whatever else these quick minds could come up with.

Hoss,
That was my letter in the Outdoor News. And you know what's funny. NOBODY wrote in and voiced there stance against mine. So that tells me that most readers agreed with the points I made. If you don't then get your pencil out and send them a letter. Hell I'll give anybody the e-mail address that wants it. Or better yet go to www.outdoornews.com The more of you that send in letters will the more attention it will get and with that more attention the DNR and the Legistlature will take the matter up for review.

All of you go back and read my other posts. You will see that I'm not totally against hunting with hounds. What I would like to see is some sort of "fair chase" guidelines defined and in place and the tresspassing issues handled before any more damage is done to Hunter/landowner relations.

P.S. This is my last post on this topic and on this board. You guy's can't see the big picture here. Your method of hunting has borderline acceptability in Minnesota (I.E. bearhunting)

Chuck Rhodes
 
Chuck, your last post on this topic and on this board? Let's hope so.

Chuck has something askew about "fair chase." If he doesn't think coyote hunting with hounds is fair chase, then I have to wonder what he thinks is?

I don't think it's about his opinion of fair chase at all. I think it's about his issue of landowner relations. And, yes, that's a real issue in Minnesota as I'm sure, other places. But, let's not try to cloud the issue.

As for going to www.outdoornews.com and sending in a letter to the editor, that's not a bad idea. Not sure if the topic should be so much a stand for hound hunters as it should be against hunters who attack other's sports.

I think I'll go there now.

Randy
 
Randy:

First, as a Moderator it was inappropriate for you to make an online statement such as "Chuck, your last post on this topic and on this board? Let's hope so." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Second, the statement "Not sure if the topic should be so much a stand for hound hunters as it should be against hunters who attack other's sports. I think I'll go there now." falls right into the category of hunters attacking hunters - not real cool dude /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Finally, the discussion regarding landowner in very important and does not "cloud" the issue, it is an important reason that there is a growing criticism. I work with the DNR as a consultant for policy (as well as some ADC work) so I will tell you that in Minnesota it is the cumulative issues of landowner disfavor, illegal entry and tresspassing (prior permission denied), illegal use of radios, etc. etc. that has the DNR and anit groups seriously looking at curtailing, if not eliminating houndhunting altogether.

It is no different than understanding the fact that most of the restrictive hunting laws in MN have been or are as a direct result of deer hunters. Drinking, shooting farm amimals, destroying fences and outbuildings, shooting each other, etc.....etc.

Granted there are lots of open places like the hills of NH or plains of OK, and that there are a lot of good, serious, concerned hound hunters. However, that does not make up for the bad ones that are the spotlight of the studies being done in MN. Just like a single shooting incident is the cause of thousands of new restrictive gun laws being passed.

Hoss:

I really liked your post, but being a purist I prefer to track a Coyote, sneak up on them and choke them with my bare hands....been doing it for 25 years now... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Shotgun,

Thanks for your note.

First off, I'm not sure if it was inappropriate for me, as a moderator, to say good riddance to Chuck or not. Sometimes I'm not sure where my moderator hat sits. On my head or on the shelf. Chuck was on here slamming this board in general for our methods of dealing with posters. He has suggested that our way of dealing with some things has been limp wristed. Chuck was not here to add to the conversation but rather to slam the hound hunting thing in general. His point of view was never in question there.

As for my saying that, I didn't like the reason he was posting on this forum and I do hope he never comes back. If that statement or this one was inappropriate, I apologize to you and anyone else I offended with it.

I'm a bit confused about your second paragraph. You state that my writing a letter to the editor explaining my grief about a hunter slamming another hunter's method is an attack on other hunters and is not cool? So, bottom line is that it's ok for him to write in and say what he did but it's not ok for me to do that very thing? I am confused.

As for the issues, yes they are very real and those who run hounds need to pay attention. They need to change the way they think and the way they do things. Landowner relations are very important in all of our sports. A civil discussion on these issues will always be welcome. But, anyone who comes on this forum to slam hound hunting in general will not have the red carpet rolled out for him.

I thought pretty hard about replying to you on this. I was torn for justifying my actions to you or just letting your comments ride. But, I figured you deserved an idea of where I was coming from.

Again, if I was out of line, I apologize.

Randy
 
Randy:

There is no need to apologize to me, I understood where you were coming from, as I understand where Chuck was coming from also.

Being a Moderator is not easy duty, if you remember I too was once one. It's kind of like being a parent - there is no manual and yes there is a thin grey line between you as an individual and Moderator. As a Moderator/parent you have to define the boundries and enforce the rules, but also you have to let the kids play.

I just saw boundries streched, but no rules broken.. :rolleyes:
 
Hey guys, thank you all for the nice welcome. I`d just like to add a few more things if thats all right. First and foremost-steven ILLsLey, concerning your last post about leaving this board because of peoples attitudes- get your butt back here and stay here, I didn`t come here to hang my butt out only for you to pull yours in!!LOL. Its nice to see someone as passionate as you are about your hunting and willingness to share your experiences with others, whether it be w/hounds or what not! Secondly, CRhodes, believe me I had a letter ready to fire off to the "Outdoor News". But realistically what would it do?? All I think it would do is force people to take sides! You state that "nobody wrote in so everybody must agree w/you". I really don`t understand how you came to that conclusion.(not a slam at all, just curious) As you didn`t hear anybody arguing against what you stated, I didn`t see much support for what you stated either!! I agree trespassing is getting to be an issue we should all be aware of and taken seriously, but I don`t believe it`s strictly a hound issue. Chuck, you are as passionate in your beliefs as Steve is and I personally admire that! We all are fighting for the same things, its just that we need to work together and not against each other. If some hound hunter pooped in your Cheerios I`m truly sorry but I feel as if you have a score your trying to settle and I`m not sure your going about it in a manner that will benefit anyone!! Again guys, thank you for the welcome!

Hoss
 
CRodes -- while you are intitled to your opinions as this is America you have no right to tread on my rights or force your own damned opinoins on the rest of us.

I would like to ask you a question..Did anyone else write in and share your veiws or did they dismiss you as an anti looking to start trouble. As far as getting the big picture...You have such an attitude about jound hunting that you cann't even begin to accept the fact that you are may not be in the general majority on this one. Like I stated before , if you continue to attack any form of hunting in any form you are just plain old taking away your rights to hunt in the future. It is done one itty bitty step at a time.

While I have stated that the relations could use some work between houndsmen and landowners, you are to willing to just trash this sport for my liking. If you are not an anti you are certainly doing thier job for them>..Have a nice day>>>>>>>James L.
 
Welcome Hoss and thanks for taking a stand, your words are well placed and appreciated.

Steven I sure hope you and those Thorn Mt. Hounds aint leavin, I like reading your posts! So keep em comin.

I just want all you so called "purists" out there to stop and think how you would feel if guys were coming on the calling sections of this site attacking you for what you love to do. Gets pretty discouraging, especially on a hunting site eh?


NiteFright
 
Hi Hoss What Do You Have For Hounds And What Do
You Hunt With Them. Ihave Four Coyote Hounds.
Crohgan Breed Running Walkers. Good Luck And Run
Them Hounds.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Thanks Steve&The Thorn /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Mt Hounds. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Just wanted to say "Thanks" HOSS. For voicing what all hound hunters are thinking and any hunter that's been hunting since they were old enough to walk are thinking.

"Fair chase" was a term developed and maintained by anti hunters. There really is no such thing as "fair chase". A coyote runs 25~30 mph, a .220 Swift bullet travels at 4100 fps. Is that fair chase? We have devloped arms and hands that can grab and throw a projectile (such as a rock) much faster than a grouse can react and fly. Is that fair chase? Negative. We have survived the ice age because we were able to develop methods to take food in conditions where we would have otherwised starved to death (not as a singe person but as a species) Was that wrong? If so, then the anti "fair chase" folks should all commit suicide and admit they should never have been here in the first place.

As for landowner relations, I think most substantial landowners are pro hunting, but bad hunting ethics and behavior can change that quickly and forever in a landowner's eye. If you grew up on a ranch, you can appreciate their views and interests. One word here, "Respect". That's it, I'm off my soapbox.
 


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