Jump to content
Gut Pile

Shoot or Don't Shoot? Sportsmanship

Recommended Posts

As a houndsmen it's scary thinking so many people feel this way about Hounds and those of us who choose that way to hunt. 

I've had people shoot bears that were bayed on the ground theough our dogs. Have had dogs shot by other hunters. 

I can tell you right now, no houndsmen ever goes hunting with the goal to ruin another person's hunt. 

Support a pursuit hunt, and you would not have to deal with as many houndsmen during the kill season. 

Speaking of road hunting in 23, you'll see more side by sides and people in camo running roads and "light bars" then you will dog boxes. 

Its quiet clear that the hunting community will never stand together against the true enemy, the animal terrorists and anti hunters, it's much easier to just get rid of the competition if that's what you want to call it. If hound hunting gets banned then people think they will be able to finally kill that 500 pound 23 inch skulled black bear! 

Instead of learning new spots, hunting harder, or trying to be open minded about something different, it's much easier to blame other people. 

It's not just houndsmen that get blamed for unfilled archery tags, which are good for like 4 months right? Everyone has a problem with everyone elses ways of hunting. Most of the people that say "oh just shoot it they dont own it" dont get WHY we are out there. 

You buy a bow or whatever weapon you hunt with and it sits in a closet until you use it. If it sat for 6 months it doesnt cost you anything per day. It cant get sick or hurt. Yes you can have sentimental value to it but can you truly say it's your best friend? You can lock it up in your house and go on vacation for a week. You can go to family events like weddings and funerals. Much easier to trust a gun to be safe by itself then 3, 6, 15+ dogs. You can live wherever you want, you aren't listed in a demographic with no joke a 300-400% divorce rate! Ask 10 houndsmen how many marriages or divorces they've had. Most will say 2 or 3. 

Most houndsmen have Hounds because it's in our blood. It's our lifestyle. We aren't out there to ruin anyones hunt. Most houndsmen catch and release because it isnt about what we chase, it's about watching a 4th, 5th, 10th generation pup become a solid trusty hunting partner. 

I am not trying to attack anyone just begging people to be a little open minded. The last thing anyone wants is to get hurt while hunting. Is a bear or a lion or anything really worth it? Why not visit with someone with Hounds and go on a hunt with them? Get to see that we aren't all just fat gross hillbillies that dont care about our dogs. We work hard every single day to get where we can even start catching game with the dogs. 

Fearing other hunters is not something that should ever run through anyones mind when they go hunting. But after reading some of the comments on this page it makes me wonder if someone on this forum would gun down a pack of dogs and the owner just because they felt "their hunt was ruined". Pretty eye opening. 

  • Like 4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not sure if I would shoot or not.  Thinking not, but suppose it would depend on how close the dogs were (a mile vs. a few hundred yards....   spur of the moment judgement call...).

That being said, the thing that caught my attention on this topic was that when I saw the title I was immediately taken back to the mid-late 70s when I took hunter ed as an 11 year old.  Does anyone remember the film they used to show called "Shoot / Don't Shoot"?  It was a pretty cool deal where they showed several different sort of real life scenarios and then had the class make a determination whether it would be OK/safe to shoot or not in that given situation.  I still remember a couple of the scenarios all these years later.  Sorry for the hijack....  ;)

 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you have never followed great hound dogs you simply can not understand. What would I do...sit down and wait to see some bad butt dogs doing what they love to do.
 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 2/25/2020 at 8:10 AM, stanley said:

Not sure if I would shoot or not.  Thinking not, but suppose it would depend on how close the dogs were (a mile vs. a few hundred yards....   spur of the moment judgement call...).

That being said, the thing that caught my attention on this topic was that when I saw the title I was immediately taken back to the mid-late 70s when I took hunter ed as an 11 year old.  Does anyone remember the film they used to show called "Shoot / Don't Shoot"?  It was a pretty cool deal where they showed several different sort of real life scenarios and then had the class make a determination whether it would be OK/safe to shoot or not in that given situation.  I still remember a couple of the scenarios all these years later.  Sorry for the hijack....  ;)

 

I remember that film and I took the course in the 80’s. I do remember doing the walking/shooting course. I had one of the nicest .22’s the instructors had seen. All hand built by my uncle.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×