Ideas for Bill's column

[Gun Rod Bow]

I am an avid hunter and fisherman and painfully aware of the generally negative public image hunters are harnessed with.

I'd love to see more positive stories about hunters by all media. I cringed at Grant McComie's portrayal of road hunters shooting the decoy elk, but his story was accurate.

Unfortunately, negative stories are what make headlines. You'll never read "Man goes hunting, breaks no laws, film at 11".

I'd like to apply a lesson taught to me years ago. If you have a criticism, offer at least 2 possible solutions along with it.

So here's my ideas. (free advice of course)

1. How about a story on the NW Permit Zone that interviews farmers who are benefitted when hunters keep geese off of crops curbing damage? This hunt has been a real win/win in that regard from what I have seen.

2. How the Permit Zone was established to protect an endangered species while hunters harvest birds that are in abundance because hunters were willing to attend classes and work at identifying their quary?

I would love to see some press about how much hunters pay into conservation through license and tag fees and the million$ of dollar$ collected through the Pittman-Robertson act.

Some of you must have some better ideas.

[skein]

Great idea, GRB. I like all three of those story lines. Here's a couple more, albeit from the fishing side:

Thanks to another Ifish group, The Salty Dogs, there's likely to be a story about the close partnership between a group of saltwater fishermen and the local Coast Guard, focusing on safety and cooperation.

You might even see a story about how those same fishermen are forging ties with fish and wildlife scientists to protect and preserve fish stocks, while continuing to enjoy the bounty of the ocean.

Skein

[Quaka Wacka]

I think bill owes us a couple positive pro hunting stories that shows that 99% of hunters aren't the ones shooting the deer decoys and otherstuff that harms our image.

[waterfowlin101]

I think Bill should focus on fishing.

[Ni!]

I think he should write about global warming. You know...stay away from the controversial issues for awhile.

[Quaka Wacka]

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

I think Bill should focus on fishing.

Now thats funny... I don't care who you are.

[Something Good]

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

I think Bill should focus on fishing.

Oh no you don't! You guys can keep him.

I don't read his column often but the fishing stories I have read were pretty good.

[woolybuggerboy]

Originally Posted by Quaka Wacka

I think bill owes us a couple positive pro hunting stories that shows that 99% of hunters aren't the ones shooting the deer decoys and otherstuff that harms our image.

Last year in the ochoco's just for kicks we counted road hunters versus people walking in to hunt. we counted 47 vehicles/road hunteing, 12 vehicles where people had walked in. Its a much bigger problem than people think. after seeing a guy shoot a deer out of the back of his truck... for crying out loud he was sitting on a lawnchair! We need to seperate ourselves form these bozos who give us a bad rep. If your buddy brags to you that he broke the rules and got his buck by road hunting, then chastize him and/or TURN HIM IN! it's your obligation to hunters and the future of the sport of hunting.

As far as articles in the news goes, i think hunter turns in poacher stories would be good. it would help to seperate us from the unethical morons out there. just my

[LickSkillet]

I think an update on the spotted owl would be a better idea for Bill to focus on....

[Gun Rod Bow]

I had a thought this morning...

How about last year when Waterfowlin101 organized the essay contest and Ifish Hunting Board members donated decoys and gear to young hunters. That was very cool.

And, as I'm sure almost none of you know, Waterfowlin101 (Jon) has been helping my daughter's high school taxidermy club. As in volunterring his time after work while keeping up with his waterfowl slaying.

He and I may not agree on everything, but he has a good heart and I admire that.

I know I have invited and taken a few folks who have never hunted before. I think there are some really positive hunting stories here. I hope Bill looks for some.

[Swamp Puppy]

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

I think Bill should focus on fishing.

that's the best idea i've heard all year.

seriously though..perhaps an article about how dollars from hunting licenses/stamps and help from local organizations such as ODHA, OHA, and even the Waterfowl Festival go towards preserving habitat or making improvements to public areas that are used by more people than just hunters. ie: Sauvie Island. instead of making us look like environmental robbers..why not show the Multnomah Crowd that we are big contributors the areas they hold dear.

volunteer work to clean up "the island" in the off season..an example of a group of hunters that give their own time to clean up areas used by hunters.

[Salmo trutta]

All great ideas!!

Here is one:

Follow the life of a backpack hunter who trains hard all year long at the gym and the outdoors so he can pack in 5 to 7 miles to hunt. Show his or her training regimin and follow them into the backcountry for the hunt. Discuss the various gear and food and such. Show them actually packing out a deer or elk the hard way---the way it should be with muscles and sweat and tears.

[ehunter]

I like that idea regarding backpacker hunters. Also what about using bikes for hunting there is a lot of request here on that type of info?

I would also like to see a well balenced article on what unethical ATV riders are doing to the sport. The division that they are causing from both the ethical riders and the hunters. Some of the problems that are causing more land closures do to the illegal riders. I know of what company that is thinking about only allowing walk in due to ATV riders and tree damage?

One more what about a story about the private land closures during fire seasons what are the major issues in regards to allowing walk in and total closures and how does this affect the OWFD plans and the hunters who use those lands for recreation? Is there any thing the hunting community can do to help.

[Swamp Puppy]

Originally Posted by ehunter

I would also like to see a well balenced article on what unethical ATV riders are doing to the sport.

as much as i agree with this idea...please, no more articles that make hunters look bad to the public.

[Flat Lander]

Bill writes for the Oregonian right? There is no way that paper would allow anything that would make hunters look good (opinion). Fishing is accepted by the general public and hunting is not (opinion). Bill does not have the final say in what get printed does he? The paper is a "greeny" paper isn't? There are a lot of great hunting/fishing groups that do a lot of great work for the environment and other things. It always scares me to see a newpaper or news station get involved. 90 percent or more news stories are contoversial and we don't need it. I don't know Bill but I know the Oregonian and I wish the paper would stay out of the hunting and fishing world. I don't want to sound negative and I kept my comments out of the other post in fear of it escalating anything. I really hope they write some of your ideas in a possitive way but with my luck they would say something along the lines of...
blah blah great work blah blah but... they murder cute little animals.

[Dave Smith]

I think he should do an article on Wusky's and how a small handful of hunters are helping to reduce their numbers when all others methods have failed because of their prowess at COLLAR HUNTING. Might save my reputation and my business. I know I'm dreaming but it would be fair, right? Dave

[Hawk]

This may be a dumb question, but what is a "Wusky"?

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by Hawk

This may be a dumb question, but what is a "Wusky"?

It's not a dumb question at all, Hawk. All most people know about them are what the article said: "an experimental hybrid managers want taken from their small habitat". Makes it sound like another "beleaguered" subspecies.
Basically, while eveyone is roasting "collar hunting". There are some of us doing it and being appauded for it by wildlife biologists and managers. You probably won't hear much about that. "Wusky's" are a Western/Dusky hybrid that were originally introduced into Oregon and Washington as pure Dusky's, but started breeding with Western Canadas. Now veiwed as a mistake (more like disaster), managers want the hybrids out of the population. There is no way hunters could shoot them because they wouldn't be able to tell if they were wuskys or duskys, so they put white collars on as many of the wuskys as possible in hopes that hunters would shoot them. Very few ever got shot because no one can see the collars in flight, plus they are in difficult terrain and very decoy and call shy. Anyone who shoots one is just an unethical "collar hunter"- he he.

[Flat Lander]

Thanks Dave, I didn't know that either (Wusky). I am not much of a water fowler but its nice to know whats going on. My info comes from friends, Ifish, some magazines, and OPB. I learned something new today.

[skein]

Bill writes for the Oregonian right? There is no way that paper would allow anything that would make hunters look good (opinion). (Flatlander)

I dunno. Last year the Oregonian sent Bill and a photographer down to cover my "Coyote Hunting Clinic for Kids" and even trekked up into the hills to get a pic of me on a setup trying to call one in. Nice article with a positive writeup, and I think they got some poo-poo'ers trying to jab at them, but they stayed with it.

Thanks for the coverage, Bill.

These are great ideas, guys, and I don't think they will fall on deaf ears.

Skein

I think a article about "other clamming" would be cool... Cockle, littleneck, butter, and gapers....I heard they "rake" them or something like that...honestly, I always have wondered about it but havent researched.

[Northwest Pest]

I would like to see a story on bird dogs.. I'm crazy about watching dogs work. Maybe describing how the dogs are true conservationists and giving some background in to the training. Maybe show hounds for cats as well. The problem with a one sided positive article is that it isn't always a good seller for media. A one sided negative can be. Any good article, in my opinion, should show both sides and have the authors twist at the end.

[Bait O' Eggs]

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

I think Bill should focus on fishing.

As funny as that is, I was thinking we just leave him over in the home and garden section writing about backyard birds and bird feeders and such. None of those migratory birds that people shoot, but rather the cute little type that eat seed from feeders. The soccer moms really enjoy the articles.

If the Oregonian wont hire an outdoor writer and want to continue to use Bill there are some good suggestions above.

Sure would be nice if a reporter didnt just use the police log to report a story, but rather went out and worked at writing about the sport.

I wonder if Bill could write an article and get it published about how it would be nice if the hound hunters were able to return and control the cougar population. A proactive step towards a problem.

Maybe and article that would set the tone for wolf population control in Oregon before they become the problem that is coming.

[Flat Lander]

Thanks for changing my feelings (a little) on the Oregonian Skein. I honestly haven't bought or looked at the Oregonian for a few years. I know a few people that over the years have had stories get turned around on them from that paper. Nothing like being mis-quoted and having your name attached to it. I don't think It was the columnist that mis qouted them either. The anti-hunting people out there don't need much ammo and I would sure hope we don't give it to them. All you need is one negative article to ruin 10 good ones. I hope I am making some sense. As much as I would like them print great articles to help our public image sooner or later we will get a bad one. I think its better to leave the general public out in ignorant land.

[Joe Schwab]

Originally Posted by Flat Lander

As much as I would like them print great articles to help our public image sooner or later we will get a bad one. I think its better to leave the general public out in ignorant land.

Yup! Keep em ignorant so they can vote intelligently on the next ballot measure that comes up on our sport. Just like the hound hunting issue. The only ones who got their point out on that one were the antis. Everyone else was either afraid to defend the sport or had their heads in the sand.

Come on guys! How many times does it have to be said? Education is the best tool we have for conservation issues. If we have to keep it in the dark then it's not worth having IMHO.

[loper]

Originally Posted by Capt. Hook

Education is the best tool we have for conservation issues.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by Capt. Hook

Come on guys! How many times does it have to be said? Education is the best tool we have for conservation issues. If we have to keep it in the dark then it's not worth having IMHO.

I sure hope this wont all fall on deaf ears.

I really meant it to try to put our positive face in front of the public.

I think we as hunters should try to encourage media to show the better side of hunting. Even if it is frustrating sometimes.

There are some great ideas here and I do think the "public" enjoys some good news from time to time.

[adobe wall]

as I was critical of the scope of Mr. Monroe's collar hunting column, I feel like I ought to make some suggestions. The stuff that is already been suggested is good.

The Wusky article would be great, as would an article about goose depredation. Most people actually can relate to problem geese although it's in terms other than agricultural- geese on their golf course, their kid's soccer fields, in their lawns.

An article on Dave Smith and his successfull and innovative goose decoy business wouldn't be bad either. He's an Oregonian that has "done good" and is setting the benchmark for quality and realism in the industry.

An article on how to put up wood duck boxes. Y'all seem to covet woodies out here but they are absolutely the easiest birds in the world to "grow". Decades of scout projects back home have caused absolutely huge numbers of the birds to flourish even where there isn't any of the traditional swamp habitat. Convince the Scouts (and the hunters) that the boxes are a good thing and y'all will have a ton of Wood Ducks in short order.

Articles dealing with safety- boating/water safety is the first thing that comes to mind. There's a lot of water back home but I've never seen the number of drownings like what happen out here. Hunter safety programs aren't bad to cover either.

An article on some of the extraordinary shooters that live out here. There's a guy in Portland that holds over a dozen NRA highpower records- and he's a fine barrel maker. Well, maybe he doesn't want people to know who he is now that I think about it.

There are fine shooting facilities and competitions around Portland- stuff most folks have to drive a long ways to try. Maybe an article about a local highpower competitor who just earned his/her Distinguished Rifleman badge. The history behind the badge and the process to earn it makes for a pretty good tale that even a non-shooter would enjoy reading.

That's some stuff that comes to mind.

regards, aw

[Flat Lander]

Originally Posted by Capt. Hook

Yup! Keep em ignorant so they can vote intelligently on the next ballot measure that comes up on our sport. Just like the hound hunting issue. The only ones who got their point out on that one were the antis. Everyone else was either afraid to defend the sport or had their heads in the sand.

Come on guys! How many times does it have to be said? Education is the best tool we have for conservation issues. If we have to keep it in the dark then it's not worth having IMHO.

OK... I was still talking about the Oregonian. I agree 100% on educating the public but I think the Oregonian is the wrong place. I donate a lot of money to get the public educated. I talk with non hunters all the time about hunting and answer a lot of their questions. I even leave my OHA fliers out at restaurants, bars, etc. when I am done with them. Skein mentioned that Bill wrote a great article on hunting so hopefully they are changing. They are still a bias paper and money talks. It only takes one time to sour people forever. My example would be that thread that had a lot of hunters bashing Bill's article. If it had that many hunters doing it what do you think the public thought of us? An outdoors writer just got dropped from several sponsors because of one blog. I do not have my head in the sand but it ain't on a platter either.

[Bill Monroe]

These are, for the most part, very good ideas for features.
This has not fallen on deaf ears.
I would normally keep all this to myself because broadcasting story ideas on a public forum is an invitation to be scooped...and that, not selling papers, ego, personal gain, image or anything else, is the motivation that drives me.

Nevertheless, given the tenor, tone and intensity of reaction to Sunday's column, here are some thoughts:

(And I beg forgiveness for the length)


Many of these thoughts I've already written about and will do again after a period of two or three years, about the shelf life of a newspaper feature.

Bruce, I'm intrigued that your daughter's school has a taxidermy club. I'd love to do that one as soon as possible since it's not particularly seasonal...unless they're not meeting during the off-hunting season. My fear would be that other school parents might complain and the club jeapardized...

Dave, I think either/both a feature about you and about the wuskys is more than in order. In fact, I believe I mentioned that to you several times, the most recent of which was about a year ago when you said you'd call when you were ready to work on that smallmouth.
If you'll remind me in April or early May, I can easily set up to go along on a wusky collaring expedition and we could use that as a forum for both the wusky and collar issue.

AW,
If you were, in fact, reading the paper you may or may not remember:

"The Wusky article would be great, as would an article about goose depredation. Most people actually can relate to problem geese although it's in terms other than agricultural- geese on their golf course, their kid's soccer fields, in their lawns."

I've written stories aplenty about hunters helping farmers...as well as the parks and golf courses aspects. I've covered the dusky Canada goose and goose hunting in Oregon for more than 30 years, on an annual basis and as a labor of love. I've collared and counted birds from Alaska to California and have scars to prove it.


"An article on Dave Smith and his successfull and innovative goose decoy business wouldn't be bad either. He's an Oregonian that has "done good" and is setting the benchmark for quality and realism in the industry."

Agreed.

"An article on how to put up wood duck boxes. Y'all seem to covet woodies out here but they are absolutely the easiest birds in the world to "grow". Decades of scout projects back home have caused absolutely huge numbers of the birds to flourish even where there isn't any of the traditional swamp habitat. Convince the Scouts (and the hunters) that the boxes are a good thing and y'all will have a ton of Wood Ducks in short order."

Wrote about them three times last year, although not through a scout troop.

"Articles dealing with safety- boating/water safety is the first thing that comes to mind. There's a lot of water back home but I've never seen the number of drownings like what happen out here. Hunter safety programs aren't bad to cover either."

Did a column on Coop's dad early last year and capped the year with the drowning/exposure deaths of two of my best friends.
Have another feature planned on PFDs, based on Sunday's experience at Salty Dogs (my auto-inflate didn't...good lesson).
Also wrote a series of articles and spinoffs last year when I went through hunter education with my grandson...then did a story about his first deer.
Also did a column on the state's first youth turkey hunt, based in part on a trip with Elkguide and Waterfowlin 101 and drawing together other examples from across the state, taken by cell phone on deadline.

"An article on some of the extraordinary shooters that live out here. There's a guy in Portland that holds over a dozen NRA highpower records- and he's a fine barrel maker. Well, maybe he doesn't want people to know who he is now that I think about it."

A lot of them don't want to be in the limelight. I did do a piece about Bud McDougal's shooting clinic and also covered a skeet shooter at Portland Gun Club.

"There are fine shooting facilities and competitions around Portland- stuff most folks have to drive a long ways to try. Maybe an article about a local highpower competitor who just earned his/her Distinguished Rifleman badge. The history behind the badge and the process to earn it makes for a pretty good tale that even a non-shooter would enjoy reading."

We published an entire hunt section..do every year..it includes all of the sight-in days for each club.
Yes, I did do a column on how clubs hold members hostage by requiring NRA membership. Took some heat for that.

Oh, and BTW, AW...I'm a moderately good hunter as outdoor writers go. I know some excellent ones...Pat Wray in Corvallis, Ed Park (in his day) in Bend, Gary Lewis in Bend, Scott Stouder in Idaho, to name a few. You spoke as if you'd been around a lot of outdoor writers, but I'm not convinced. Not all of them hunt, though.

I'll pull all the ideas together and keep a list.

Bottom line is that I pay close attention to every single chance to cast hunting in a positive light....just as (in a minority of cases) I do when something doesn't seem right.

And Roy (does your brother know you escaped? )

Yes, I do a critter column for Homes and Gardens, which has a readership dwarfing my preferred audience of hunters and anglers.
And yes, I take every chance to point out to them that hunters are the good guys.
Would you rather see that written by me (like me or not) or by a non- or even anti-hunter? Getting that message across to the Homes and Gardens readers is, possibly, my most important job. At least it's one I take very seriously.

Reprinted below, from the Homes and Gardens, is a column I wrote about hunters in 2005. I received a lot of response. Much of it, as with this week's experience, was not as informed as it could have been.

As always, anytime any of you want to tackle me, debate, discuss, suggest, criticize or even crucify, I'm as close as a PM, an email or telephone. For those who live outside the local calling area, I even have a toll-free number (888-222-8231).

Thursday, March 24, 2005


A HUNTER'S CREED

Summary: Hunting links us to the wild world and the natural order

"Bill: I enjoy reading your articles in The Oregonian's "Wild Things," but it bugs me that you're a hunter.
No, I am not an extreme animal activist, but a middle-aged woman who is happily married here in Vancouver, Wash. We share our home with a dog and three cats and numerous bird and squirrel feeders in our backyard.

The morning walks with our dog on the beaches of the Columbia River in earshot of Sauvie and Reed islands (during the past hunting season) have been miserable. We try to ignore the constant noise made by hunters shooting geese and ducks.
We are avid wildlife photographers and enjoy getting wonderful photos of these beautiful birds year-round.
Recently, I found carcasses of geese and ducks in a black plastic garbage bag that had washed up on a Columbia River beach, and upon closer inspection, they had been killed by gunshots.
It really saddened me that someone -- a hunter? -- would do this . . . very tragic and wasteful.
Why do you hunt? Is it the thrill of killing something? Is it a macho thing? Is it for food? Is it to cull the bird population?
I'm not judging; just perplexed."

Rebecca Richardson
Vancouver



Good questions deserve thoughtful answers, and this is one every hunter contemplates . . . or should.
Why do men and women (thousands, by the way) choose to kill animals?
The answer is almost certainly articulated differently for each of us, but is just as surely rooted universally in a deep love and appreciation for the outdoors.
As well as for all wild things.
While that may seem incongruous on the surface -- i.e., how can we kill that which we love -- it fits the human psyche.
I hunt because it connects me to the wild world.
There's nothing particularly serene, peaceful or even beautiful about nature. It simply is.
There are moments of serenity and beauty, certainly, and humans relish the moments.
But quiet periods are punctuated by violence at every turn in the natural progression of the food chain. Bacteria are eaten by microbes, which are eaten by insects, which are eaten by birds or beasts, which are eaten by bigger birds and beasts . . . and some of those, ultimately, by man. Even humans sometimes are consumed.
Nature's beauty is often singled out by those whose passion -- equally genuine -- is for one image of the animal, or scene; for capturing a moment or appreciating the image. But that, it seems to me, overlooks the totality of the natural order.
Brightly colored birds, for example, are wonderful to watch, but the birds are colored to attract mates and often pay with their lives for standing out.
The surreal world of cute, cuddly, furry and feathery animals is a figment of Hollywood and Madison Avenue, used for personal gain.
I hunt because the act satisfies -- more often whets -- a passion for challenge. As with fishing, hunters pit themselves against wary animals that may or may not appear in the sights of their guns. The surprise is as genuine with every kill as the respect for the death. True hunters don't frivolously take life from another animal.
And no, we're nothing like the image of "Let's go shoot sumpn', Bubba, I got the likker 'n the truck," as another reader jarringly wrote a while back.
Sure, there are slobs at every turn of society, and hunting offers a lot of opportunity for boorish behavior, but hunters are mostly responsible, caring men and women (Did I mention there are thousands of them?) deeply connected to the real world.
I hunt to eat, and eat nearly everything I shoot -- except coyotes and ground squirrels. I tan and save the hides of coyotes I take (other coyotes and vultures clean up the rest) and say "you're welcome" to farmers grateful to me for helping control their burrowing pests.
I confess to some disappointment earlier this year during my morning drive to work as I listened on KEX to a discussion about Canada geese on a golf course. Show host Paul Linnman -- a golfer who is a bird-watcher as well as a Homes & Gardens reader -- said something to the effect: "I'm a birder, not a hunter."
That stung; hunting and a love of birds are not mutually exclusive.
I thought about the statement on the last day of this winter's Canada goose hunting season as I contentedly sat in the blind with my dogs, watching swallows soar and swoop, a bald eagle repeatedly buzz a flock of ducks (testing for weak birds), blue herons squawk at white egrets -- and each other -- a pileated woodpecker flutter through leafless treetops and then, suddenly, a flock of geese coming my way, low and noisy.
I was as elated at shooting one as I was a few days later on the Willamette River, watching live geese pair and nest. (They mate only for the life of each other, by the way. If a mate is lost, nature demands that another quickly take its place.)
I hunt because it connects me to the natural world.
"The true hunter does not hunt to kill; the hunter kills to have hunted," wrote early-20th-century Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset.
"In hunting, the finding and killing of the game is after all but a part of the whole," wrote Teddy Roosevelt, a personal hero who avidly hunted worldwide and wrote a book about it in a one-room log cabin in the Badlands.
And from my other hero of the conservation movement, Aldo Leopold: "Hunting is not merely an acquired taste; the instinct that finds delight in the sight and pursuit of game is bred into the very fiber of this race. We are dealing, therefore, with something that lies very deep."
Randall Eaton, a writer ("The Sacred Hunt: Hunting as a Sacred Path") and filmmaker who lives in Enterprise, penned one of the best brief assessments of that which drives me personally:
"Every hunt is a prayer in motion."


I'm a past president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and will have the association's prayer read at my funeral someday.


God give me stillness, give me time to stand
Unpressed by creeds and credits, undefiled
By dust of industry, and be a child
Reminded of my oneness with the land.
Let me stop running and be reconciled
To feel my feet send roots into the sand;
Let me put forth fresh blossoms from my hand.
Let me not lose my kinship with the wild.

And if I call this mine, remind me, God,
That it is only as my blood and bone
Are mine; not mine to waste, not mine to own,
But mine to be. I am the goldenrod,
The grain, the granite; I am stream and glen. Remind me to preserve myself.
Margaret Menamin, 1967

[skein]

Skein

[Woogie Boogie]

I think Bill should retire...

[Bill Monroe]

[Lured In]

A few suggested catchy titles:

XBox vs. Sink Box
When your kid's goose is cooked...enjoy!
The 3 R's: Reality, Relationships and Rifles
The original 'organic' foods

[Beamerfish]

Bill, If you retire, who will we all have to complain about? As far as I'm concerned, you just keep writing them as you see them. (Just be careful about blogging about those AR shooters. I hear they can be pretty touchy.) And when you do finally get to retire, please leave a few fish and ducks for the rest of us.

[Bait O' Eggs]

Thats gonna leave a mark

Its always nice to shake the tree once in a while and see what falls out of it. I think Bills tree is rocking and rolling right now. I hope he looks around the trunks and see what fell out.


Bill my brother has been trying to catch me for years, no chance of escaping when he cant catch me in the first place. Rumor has it theres a bonus in it for any of his gamies that can bring me in wearing cuffs

[Rank Amateur]

Maybe do an article on the Gun Free School Zone Act, so one of our brothers doesn't end up in prison for being ignorant. Then again, letting it lie unenforced and unknown in most towns might be better. Unfortunately in my little town, it has been in the paper twice and my column this coming month will make three. The school has told the cops, the cops have told the public and I'm telling the sportsmen, not much room to wiggle now.

[happybrew]

Randall Eaton, a writer ("The Sacred Hunt: Hunting as a Sacred Path") and filmmaker who lives in Enterprise, penned one of the best brief assessments of that which drives me personally:
"Every hunt is a prayer in motion."

Ya know, I only began hunting in the past year, but I have found it a wonderful opportunity for prayer. I wouldn't expect those who don't pray to undertand that. And not only that, but my back feels so much better for several days after a hunt!

happybrew

[rimrock]

I enjoy your writing Bill, always look for it in the paper. BTW I met Pat Wray this year in Fields. Good chukar hunter and a really nice guy to boot, had a great time even though he's one of those writer types. (I'm kidding of course) Actually he was kind enough to give me a copy of he's book; always fun to read about chukar hunting. Looking forward to your next article!!!!

[SlyHawk]

All I can say is "WOW"! :lurk:
Let's go hunting! Or, best yet "let's go outside---

[woolybuggerboy]

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

and will not be a participant in your liberal lies....

Jon

I find it offensive that you make generalizations about different politcal parties. (this is not a personal attack, just a good comment to make an example of) I believe that this is the kind of thinking is what divides hunters. I consider myself to be liberal, i'm a member of NRA, OHA, OBH and Sierra Club. Did you ever consider that the about 40% of the Sierra club, a "liberal" orginization, is made up of hunters. If you bash someone for their party you are doing the opportunity to hunt in the future a disservice. Our goal should be to keep hunting around so that future generations can enjoy the sport. If we become divided, we fall.

On a seperate note (Improving hunter Image)- Hunters need to promote ethics, and boosting hunter image may mean giving up some things we take for granted now. i live in a highly liberal neighborhood, but my neighbors are totally fine with hunting because of the ethical, thoughtful way i pursue it. They may not agree with it, but they aren't opposed to it because they don't see me doing something wrong or unethical. i think this is because i embrace thier opinions, so that we can have a two sided conversation, because in conversations such as this people learn with an open mind. IF WE KEEP AN OPEN MIND ABOUT THE PUBLIC'S OPINIONS, THEN THEY WILL KEEP AN OPEN MIND ABOUT OURS! Be nice to non hunters, and keep hunting. This will be the best way to improve hunter image.

[Quaka Wacka]

Originally Posted by woolybuggerboy

I find it offensive that you make generalizations about different politcal parties. (this is not a personal attack, just a good comment to make an example of) I believe that this is the kind of thinking is what divides hunters. I consider myself to be liberal, i'm a member of NRA, OHA, OBH and Sierra Club. Did you ever consider that the about 40% of the Sierra club, a "liberal" orginization, is made up of hunters. If you bash someone for their party you are doing the opportunity to hunt in the future a disservice. Our goal should be to keep hunting around so that future generations can enjoy the sport. If we become divided, we fall.

I know its a little off topic, but when you are donationg money to the seirra club and organizations like the OHA; you are spending money to fight yourself. The Sierra club has a track record of fighting game departments and hunters when it comes to managing wildlife. My dad thought as you do and was a member and joined the Sierra Club until I pionted out where some of his money was going.

Just something to think about.

Here is just one of many examples.

http://oregon.sierraclub.org/alerts/cougars.asp

[Joe Schwab]

"I know its a little off topic, but when you are donationg money to the seirra club and organizations like the OHA; you are spending money to fight yourself"

QuackaWacka Please elaborate on how the OHA has harmed you or any other hunter in this state. This is getting ridiculous!

[gottafish]

How about them Blasers? Is it bow season yet?

[bajadan2000]

After reading through all of the posts, my only thoughts are, we are messing up a golden opportunity here. Bill has come on this site in good faith and is willing to discuss any topic freely. The very least we can do is be respectful and listen to his side of things, then give him information and ideas that will help us.

The very idea that Bill can write every article so that every hunter will agree with him is a little ambitious. Go back through every thread on this hunting site and see how many you can find were everyone agrees. NONE!!! Most threads have a 30-70% split. Some are 50-50% split. We can not even agree amongst ourselves. Please take this opportunity to have a constuctive civil discussion with Bill. Everyone comes out ahead when we talk and communicate with each other. Wars will only further divide and isolate us hunters and will bring destruction on ourselves.

[Salmo trutta]

Originally Posted by Quaka Wacka

I know its a little off topic, but when you are donationg money to the seirra club and organizations like the OHA; you are spending money to fight yourself. The Sierra club has a track record of fighting game departments and hunters when it comes to managing wildlife. My dad thought as you do and was a member and joined the Sierra Club until I pionted out where some of his money was going.

Just something to think about.

Here is just one of many examples.

http://oregon.sierraclub.org/alerts/cougars.asp

The National Sierra Club is outreaching to hunters. Some state Sierra Club chapters such as the one in North or South Dakota run gun clubs and are comprised of hunters and do on the ground conservation work. They do great things in their state. Some state chapters such as the Oregon Sierra club is vehemently anti-hunting/animal rights types. In other words they got 'hi-jacked". So yes one needs to be careful.

So do you want to get rid of an anti Sierra Club chapter??? Then join it and take it down!

The same can be said about OHA. With a little bit of seed money an anti hunting group could hijack OHA. Why?? because it's members do not vote or actively partcipate in the state elections. It would be easy to hijack OHA in a couple of years......maybe this is off topic and should be discussed in another thread.....lets clear the waters regarding other conservation groups and which ones are anti hunting/animal rights issues driven???

[Wreckless]

bajadan

The name calling and accusations, false or not, are getting NOTHING accomplished!!! QUIT WHINING!!!!

Back to the subject at hand. An article about Dave's business and other successful Oregon / SW Washington, hunting related ventures (local gun shops, clubs, outfitters......) would be good. It could include some economics that may actually catch the public's eye Just PLEASE no pictures of DAVE!!!!

A Wusky article would work also, again, PLEASE no pictures of DAVE!!!! (I crack myself up!!!)

Thanks Bill , for keeping the outdoor section alive in a part of the country where the "outdoors" is.............well, not the outdoors I grew up in.

[rimrock]

Originally Posted by bajadan2000

After reading through all of the posts, my only thoughts are, we are messing up a golden opportunity here. Bill has come on this site in good faith and is willing to discuss any topic freely. The very least we can do is be respectful and listen to his side of things, then give him information and ideas that will help us.

The very idea that Bill can write every article so that every hunter will agree with him is a little ambitious. Go back through every thread on this hunting site and see how many you can find were everyone agrees. NONE!!! Most threads have a 30-70% split. Some are 50-50% split. We can not even agree amongst ourselves. Please take this opportunity to have a constuctive civil discussion with Bill. Everyone comes out ahead when we talk and communicate with each other. Wars will only further divide and isolate us hunters and will bring destruction on ourselves.

Hey I just agreed with bajadan2000...and I don't even see any pigs flying LOL! Really well said baja!

[jokester]

1. Like Swamp Puppy mentioned already...how about an article written about the SI clean-up, where a few hundred people come out to clean up the areas they use each year. It would be nice to show hunters and non-hunters alike, working together to accomplish one goal! It will also show that we have different objectives, other than just going out and shooting something.

2. Or what about an article showing how hunting/fishing is a tradition, passed down through the generations from one to another! It's no different than a mother showing her daughter/son how to be a great cook. They don't have any knowledge prior to, and have to be taught the basics, and then will continue to work at it in order to be successful.

3. One last idea. I would like to see more articles about getting kids involved in hunting/fishing and the outdoors. How they enjoy it, how they spend time with their father/mother/uncle/aunt and learn things from nature. It might just be the ticket to motivate some parents to try and interest their kids in what's going on outside the 4 walls of the home. My favorite thing during the Sportsman Show and the Waterfowl Festival is watching the kids catch the trout...or watching them paint the decoys. It brings a smile to my face knowing that we might have just planted a seed in the minds and hearts of them and they might join the hunting/fishing community one day because of that.

-jokester

[Swamp Puppy]

yes, i think most of us have mentioned that you occasionally do something to keep you able to refer to yourself as a member of the hunting community, probably to bring up as a reminder everytime you slag us in one of your articles. (gee..really sorry guys, remember the time i.....)

regarding the letter you posted from Rebecca in Vancouver. imagine how many people there are out there like her. people who read your article and are probably saddned by the thought of hunting, but not really ANTI hunting. people willing to accept it happens though they don't really understand it themselves. imagine how many of those people you send screaming to the ANTI side of the equation, never to return, never again willing to understand or accept, with one swift stroke of your pen.

sure...maybe you wrote an article 3 years ago about something good. maybe you wrote an article 3 weeks ago about something good. those good articles keep those people willing to accept our sport. it keeps them right where they are. they will never be hunters, never be pro hunting, but aren't anti either. you convert them the other way and they are gone forever.

pick a side Bill. it's time for the charade to end.

[cityfisher]

Originally Posted by bajadan2000

After reading through all of the posts, my only thoughts are, we are messing up a golden opportunity here. Bill has come on this site in good faith and is willing to discuss any topic freely. The very least we can do is be respectful and listen to his side of things, then give him information and ideas that will help us.

The very idea that Bill can write every article so that every hunter will agree with him is a little ambitious. Go back through every thread on this hunting site and see how many you can find were everyone agrees. NONE!!! Most threads have a 30-70% split. Some are 50-50% split. We can not even agree amongst ourselves. Please take this opportunity to have a constuctive civil discussion with Bill. Everyone comes out ahead when we talk and communicate with each other. Wars will only further divide and isolate us hunters and will bring destruction on ourselves.

Amen, and well said!!
Jay

[lor]

Here's one.
On the fishing board there's an article about a commercial fisherman caught redhanded who got a wrist slap.
http://www.columbian.com/sports/loca...news107274.cfm

How about a story on the differences in penalties and judgment for Private and Commercial parties who violate game laws.

[threecreeks]

Originally Posted by cityfisher

Amen, and well said!!
Jay

Being part of the hunting community is not about blindly following a stance or mindset of a few. This community is as diverse in viewpoint as we are varied in demographic. The hunting community is just evolving with the times. Just think about how hunting has changed since the beginning of the 20th century; commerlization, organizations, t.v. productions, multiple publications, etc. My grandfathers both hunted to feed their families, they were children of the depression. I am sure they both LOVED being out there and that was part of it, but it was also about the necessity of the times.

We are as a community are changing with the times while constantly trying to shake the anti-hunting monkey from our back. The monkey being all those things that criminals that call themselves hunter/conservationists do i.e. shooting traffic signs, wasting game, road hunting, littering, etc. Engage an anti-hunter in a debate about hunting and their hypocrisy always shines through. Ask them where they buy their meat and their knowledge of how it arrived in plastic wrap and styrofoam. Ask them how many dollars they give to ODFW each year. Ask them about picking up litter and cleaning up dump sites in the woods. Fact is they can't debate it.

Now this is where Bill comes in. By writing about the positive and negatives impacting our communtiy he often highlights the differences between hunters and poachers (never the two shall meet in my opinion, and no, I am not tagging collar hunting as poaching). He also highlights that we are not as a community blindly following the blind. We contribute, we educate, we involve our youth, we volunteer, we conserve, etc.

IMHO, because we are diverse in opinion makes us a stronger community as a whole. But, we do share a common thread that got us all here in the first place, we love to hunt and fish and spend time outdoors.

So, to get off my soapbox for a bit......Sorry to date you Bill, but I have been reading your columns since I was a kid and MANY of the things mentioned above have been written about by Bill in the past. I, for one, look forward to reading more of them.

I went to college for a bit with Bill's daughter and am very glad that she is in the field working for US in the capacity she does. When I knew her, she liked to throw a line and told stories about hunting with her dear 'ole dad (I am sure that is where her love of the outdoors came from). She now also happens to study those things (as a career) her dad hunts. It is to help protect the resources that are fundamental to all of us. I can guarantee it ain't for the money.

I understand why he wrote the article he did knowing these things. I also hope to see more articles in the future. Bill, I, for one, am glad you are on the island.

-Don Barber

Here are some ideas on articles:

-Maybe another article on the T.I.P. program, how it is sponsored and where the tips mostly come from.

-Or an article about ODFW's funding, where it comes from and how license and tag fees contribute to the whole picture.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Of all the ideas I have heard so far,

I would have to say a story about the Dave Smith Decoy company would be awesome.

Here's your angles:

Dave Smith, hunter, trapper, taxidermist, competition goose caller, artist, (adequate bass fisherman) see's a need for a special decoy specifically deign for the Willamtte Valley OR.

He and his partner Brad Cocheran are goose guides in the valley and begin working on developing these special decoys.

These decoys are now THE high water mark for custom decoys.

Conservation angle:

In the valley hunters work hard to get geese in close to be 100% sure of shooting the target birds while avoiding the "beleagured subspecies" .

These decoys allow hunters to bring these very wary birds that travel in large flocks in close for good ID and clean harvest.

Dave is the artist, Brad is the workhorse.

DSD sells decoys around the country and even at the Home and Garden Show!

Local company does good. Oregon story. Helps hunters who are helping farmers and protecting a "beleagured subspecies" that got beleagured by nature, not man BTW.

Just me rambling....

[Bait O' Eggs]

I suppose Bill writing a resignation would be to much to ask for in his column??

Bill could plagerize Zumbos article and probably get a raise from the Oregonian. :frown: :frown:

[Bill Monroe]

Isn't it just about your naptime?

[Ethical hunter]

Originally Posted by Swamp Puppy

pick a side Bill. it's time for the charade to end.

Reporters should never be on a side. They should factualy report both sides and let the reader make a truth/fact based desicion on their own. Bill does an excellent job of reporting.

Thanks Bill!

EH

[Limbhanger]

The letter written to you concerning hunting on Sauvie Island gave me this idea. How about showcasing a success story from one of the pro-hunting conservation groups once a month. An example might be how the Wild Turkey is flourishing in Oregon due to hunting related conservation efforts. How about a success story related to a particular species of big game like sheep or goats and where the funds and support come from. Educating joe public is the first step in having strong support and understanding of what we do and why. They need to know who is making all of these wildlife success stories possible. If we don't educate them properly, the anti's will have them thinking we are out to kill everthing off.

[Quaka Wacka]

Originally Posted by Quaka Wacka

I know its a little off topic, but when you are donationg money to the seirra club and organizations like the OHA; you are spending money to fight yourself. The Sierra club has a track record of fighting game departments and hunters when it comes to managing wildlife. My dad thought as you do and was a member and joined the Sierra Club until I pionted out where some of his money was going.

Just something to think about.

Here is just one of many examples.

http://oregon.sierraclub.org/alerts/cougars.asp

Originally Posted by Capt. Hook

"I know its a little off topic, but when you are donationg money to the seirra club and organizations like the OHA; you are spending money to fight yourself"

QuackaWacka Please elaborate on how the OHA has harmed you or any other hunter in this state. This is getting ridiculous!

Sorry I was unclear. I meant that the sierra club is very anti-hunting, (at least in most states.) And that OHA was pro hunting (the two sides fighting each other)

I really with they weren't, as I agree with most of thier principles. It's encouraging that in some states they are supporting hunting.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack, just wanted to clarify.

[ajfishfinder]

Hey Bill if you are looking for an oportunity to do something on a hunter ed class, we have one starting out here on the 19th. Let me know if you want more info. We would be happy to have you come out to cover it.