Good job...

I would just like to add a point to the end, something you may want to say in passing...conversation something like this...

" So, you say you don' t like hunting...do you, your family or your friends enjoy public campgrounds, state parks or state forests?"

The response is almost always, " Yes, except during hunting season. We are afraid for our lives!"

" Well, did you know that hunters taken together would rank in the top 20 of the Forbes list for money spent? Do you realize that sportmen' s and hunters comprise up to 90% of the budget for the federal and state conservation departments? Do you realize that it is these very departments that keep your state and federal lands maintained? Do you now understand that it is hunters, like myself, which in essence pay for these public lands? Do you now understand that hunters, like myself, only get to utilize these lands a short amount of time and pay for you to enjoy them year round?"

Usually to stunned silence, to which I allow to linger before continuing...

" You can condemn hunting, sportsmen and everything we stand for...but just remember the next time you are out with the Audobon Society viewing a magnificent bald eagle pair that has moved into a state forest, that it was me and my kind that footed the bill."

Again usually silence, now mounting into mumbles and stuttering...

" And oh, by the way, ask all your buddies when the last time was that they were actually harassed by a hunter on public land. Seems we always foot the bill, and get harassed, but never really do anything about it. Kinda' ironic isn' t it?" With which I end the lecture with, " there are two sides to every issue, but if you are gonna gripe about the other side, at least understand our point of view. You are obviously greatly confused about hunting, hunters, and everything we the hunting community stand for..."

I can guarantee they leave and then do some internet surfing. Once the anti realizes that everything we hunters buy---from camo to guns to ammo to licenses---is either directly deposited or taxed, with the revenue going to the feds or the state DNRs, usually really makes ' em think. They may never take our side, but it usually makes them understand that we do foot the bill for their outdoor adventures and enjoyment---and usually reduces the amount of grief that I have to hear