Anti-hunting column

[deerhuntr107]

The following appears to be a transcript of a General Meeting of the Citizens Against Cruelty to Wild Animals. Take it for what it's worth.

Anti-Hunting Column

One Step At A Time

Welcome, everyone, to this special meeting of the Citizens Against Cruelty to Wild Animals. Those of you not presently on the board of Directors have been invited because you have proven yourselves with long-term commitment to the principles of animal protection.

You have been foot soldiers in our campaign. Now we directors believe you are ready to assume leadership roles. In order to do so, you must completely understand our objectives and methods. Blind commitment is no longer enough. You must be ready to take the offensive, to plan and execute new strategies on behalf of wild animals.

I must remind you that we do not speak publicly about these concepts, except in the most general of terms. This is not because we are ashamed; we just don't want to help the enemy by letting the public see our complete agenda. Full knowledge of our goals would help to coalesce an essentially leaderless enemy. Stated simply, we are working for the elimination of sport hunting.

In our effort to bring an end to the insane cruelty of sport hunters, we have embarked on a series of small incursions based on the timeless principle of "divide and conquer".

Our first step has been to isolate and end trapping. Leg-hold traps elicit strong feelings among many people, especially city dwellers, and make no mistake, our battle will be won or lost in the cities.

Even dedicated hunters, who might be expected to support trapping, have shown animosity toward the practice. This breach allowed us to isolate trappers from other outdoorsmen and end their horrific practice in several states. As out nation's population becomes more urbanized, we expect to eliminate it altogether.

Our experience with trapping illustrates fatal flaws in the hunter's psyche. You must understand these to be successful. First, although they kill and eat wild animals, hunters do care about animals but heir concern is for the species and not, like ours, for individual animals.

Now, don't look at me like I've betrayed a sacred trust. This is no time for wide-eyed innocence. I'm revealing a weakness that you can exploit. Because they actually care for animals, hunters are quick to condemn someone else's actions as detrimental to wildlife. That's why hunters deserted trappers in referendums around the country. That's why more than 50 percent of Colorado's hunters voted against spring bear hunting in 1992.

O, given hunter's sentimental approach to wildlife and their tendency to vote against each other because of different techniques, what should our next target be?

Hunting with hounds, obviously.

Running animals with hounds, like trapping, is easy to portray as cruel. People have a prehistoric fear of being chased that helps them identify with prey. However, attempting to completely outlaw hunting dogs would guarantee failure for us. We would get caught up in questions about the use of pointers and retrievers in upland waterfowl hunting. We will go after those activities at some point in the future. The time is not yet right.

In the meantime, we have begun a campaign in several western states to eliminate the use of hounds in hunting bear and cougar. We are optimistic of success for the same reasons we were successful in Colorado. Most hunters do not hunt bear or cougar. History tells us that, because they don't take part in the practice, those hunters who do not participate will gladly help us vote it down.

In order to strengthen our effort we are actively portraying bear and cougar populations as being in desperate need of protection. This is not strictly true. In fact, a great deal of state fish and wildlife data indicated that bear and cougar populations are healthy and increasing in most areas. But before you condemn our Machiavellian manipulations, remember that we are involved in a crusade to wash the disgrace of sport hunting from our national canvas. This is a noble purpose and one that justifies occasional deviations from the truth. If the cause is just, the end truly does justify the means.

Our next logical step is bowhunting. Again, we have a natural chink in the armor. Many rifle hunters resent bowhunters because of our claims that a higher percentage of animals are wounded and lost with arrows than with bullets. Again, this weakness results from the hunter's concern for animal welfare.

There is also an element of jealousy involved. Bowhunters are allowed to hunt for longer seasons and during the rut, when the animals are most vulnerable.

To make our jobs even more simple, bowhunters themselves are bitterly divided over their equipment. What kind of gear should be considered traditional or modern, and which should be legal or ethical? Although we philosophically oppose hunting, we hope the modernists take control. The more high-tech and effective their weapons, the more bad feeling will be created within the ranks of gun hunters. Ultimately, the larger the schism between archers and gun hunters, the easier it will be for us.

You should be thinking along these same lines as you develop strategies for the future. It should be a relatively easy process down the road "to pit the blackpowder enthusiasts against the modern riflemen," etc.

One final thought. As successful as we have been, you must all be aware that our potential for failure is very real. If we get too greedy, if we try to take away too much too soon, we might actually revive America's hunters and galvanize them into a potent political force. We can't afford a mistake like that.

Signed "Pat Wray"

[sawbill]

I wish you would post this on other hunters' forums such as Bowsite.com, North American Hunting Club, etc. When we know our enemies agenda it would make for a far easier fight. And the problem is, the content is 100% accurate.

[JagMagMan]

I think that really does sum up the anti-hunting agenda! Devide and conquer!
It is also the anti-gun agenda too! Erode our gun rights little by little, so we don't even realize what is happening until its too late!

[deerhuntr107]

Spread it to every site your a member of!
Get the word out!!!

[Jorgy]

While I do think that this is the basic agenda of the anti-hunters, I have no doubt that this was written by a hunter. Good read anyway

[Jorgy]

Signed "Pat Wray"

Yep, he is an outdoor writter and photographer

[deerhuntr107]

Even so, it shows their agenda and what they have already proven that what this article says is true.
Spread the word.

[JagMagMan]

I didn't know who Pat Wray is, but I did find it a little strange that the anti's would be putting down their agenda in writing!
None the less, it is pretty darn close to true!

[gman1969]

Whether this transcript is legit or not, this divide and conquer strategy makes complete sense from their perspective. If they try to do too much at once, it will backfire. Small steps foward is the way to do it. The same goes for gun control. Just a little at a time, until what they want done is achieved.

All hunters need to stand together. Even if I don't personally bowhunt, hunt with dogs, etc..., I will stand with all hunters, or a domino effect will start that will, little by little, begin to dismantle hunting as we know it. If they start with just one small aspect of hunting, where will they stop? They won't. It may seem miniscule and insignificant at first, but remember, this would be the best way for them to achieve something like this.

Don't let what seems like little, insignificant steps decieve you. Whether it be for hunting or gun control.

[MinnFinn]

Lets only hope that things like this will begin to "awaken the sleeping giant" to defeat our enemies of anti-hunters in the public forum and political arena.