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ORIGINAL: NJ_Bowhntr

Guy's, don't waste your time with Stu. I am familiar with him, I've spoken to him and observed him for several years. I've also worked with the mentally ill and emotionally disturbed people for about 12 years now too, and in my opinion, he suffers from a degree of emotional instability and mental illness. I'm not saying that to just slam the guy, he really is suffering these problems. By getting into these e-mail battles with him, you are only doing exactly what he wants. You are feeding his warped sense of self importance by giving legitimacy to his 'cause'. By illicting these responses from hunters, he feels like he is accomplishing something. Ignore him and he will be faced every day with the realization of what he and his group mean: NOTHING.

Ignore him, his words and actions are our best evidence of who is on the right side of the issue. Most people can see extremists for what they are, we don't have to point it out. I'm serious, just don't waste your time on him, spend your time getting your friends and neighbors involved in saving hunting, not debating the issue with someone who is emotionally disturbed. Use their web sites to educate your friends and inspire them to act, but don't react angrily, then Stu wins. Let the emotions that those lies stir up motivate you to get involved, and get others involved, don't waste the energy on debating him and his kind.

Join your statewide hunting organizations, use your e-mail letters to write your state Legislators and Governor. Don't write e-mails to Stu, write to the editor of local papers with facts, and not emotionally charged, angry responses. And spend the $.37 on a stamp now and again to send a written letter, or make a phone call. Use all three types of communication, it carries more wieght than just e-mail.

Always present yourself in a respectful manner in the field and out, and don't be afraid to talk about your love for the outdoors, wildlife and hunting amid mixed company. Do it at Church, holiday or birthday parties, back yard Bar-B-Que's or anywhere else you can work it into the conversation after you've established a social connection other issues. You would be surprised how many non-hunters would be interested in hearing about what we see in the woods, just don't start off with that stuff if you don't know someone, and use common sense when talking to non-hunters. Don't be graphic or use terminology or phrases that only hunters relate to... remember your audience.

Once you've gotten to know someone, you can talk about hunting in a normal manner and not sound like a real wack job. Stu and his group cannot do that because their entire position is wacky, and people will see that.

Don't engage Stu and his group of troubled people, engage the non-hunting public and win them over. You won't win them all, but by always being respectful, down to earth and honest, you will win over more than you know. In the end, that is what matters, not how many fake adds they can run. Personal contact makes the difference, so make the contacts, and make the most of the contacts you make.

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