johnkeltgen

You know... I was thinking about what I wrote in that post. It's hard for hunters to lobby for harsher animal cruelty laws because we'd have to work with the anti-hunters who would take a mile with any inch we gave them. Maybe it's time that we hunters start our own organization that PROMOTES anti-pet cruelty. We all love our dogs, c'mon you know you do! I know I love my dogs enough that, if someone ever hurt them, I'd open a can... no wait, a KEG of Whoop *ss on that person! Just my opinion, but I think that hunter's need an organization that appeals to non-hunters as well. Some non-hunters don't support hunting because they don't see the "soft" side of us. Perhaps if we had an organization that tries to help the hunting breeds of dogs and doesn't focus soley on hunting, we could maybe get some of the non-hunters on our side. 'Course, maybe there is already an organization like that in existance, anyone know what it is? Sorry, just thinking out loud... what do y'all think of that idea?

pointerDixie214

i think this is a great idea. in fact, i would be willing to take this another step with you if we can jsut find out how. i am with you... i know that i would defend my dogs life just as i would any other member of my family, no matter what the consequences. even including killing an intruder if they were going to kill my dog. i agree with the fact that there needs to be a hunting organization to promote this, it may even convirt some antis to people that don't mind one way or another because it would show them that we really do respect and care about animals...

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sunset

i don't know of any organization like this, sounds like a good idea.......let's throw in our ideas and see what we come up with.
we can make this a sounding board for some good ideas to come together.

Pheasant_phanatic

I agree with all of you and this has started me thinking. I have experienced what I found to be improper treatment out there and think this could be a great way to prove we are not cave people with weapons. The majority of the sportsman I see treat their animals with the utmost respect. I am one of these. After all without our hunting companions, (dogs) how many birds would we really get. I myself get more enjoyment out of watching a dog do what it was bred to do than the actual harvesting of the game. The hunting experience for me is more about the dog than anything else. PLease keep my posted on your progress in this endeavor, I would be happy to try and help any way that I can.

sunset

How about we throw in some ideas for how to start this....
like...
what is the purpose of the organization?
what are some goals for the organization?

PAHUNTER21

This sounds like a great idea.

Like sunset said, the first part is to creat a Mission Statement for the organization.


Mission:

[Insert What you think the mission of the organization should be, here]



we can combine/edit/modify them as we go. I don't think we should let this one fall through the cracks. I really like this Idea!

johnkeltgen

WOW! I never thought I would get the response that I did. I'm a big believer in organizations and using them to get things done. Well... let's begin to brainstorm here: Echoing PAHUNTER21, what would a good mission statement be? To prevent cruelty to sporting dogs, of course is one of them. I think another would be to open up to the public and SHOW non-hunters and even ANTI-hunters that we (hunters) care about our animals and that we are willing to take steps to protect them. Another thing would be to show people the relationship between dogs and hunters, show them that we love our dogs as much as our kids. So, the ball is rolling...

johnkeltgen

Yeah, a good majority of hunters feel the way we do. The problem is, there are always a few bad apples out there. I had one guy come into the store I worked at, pissed off because he had to buy a goose call. Why did he have to buy a new goose call? Because he hit his dog in the nose so hard with his other one that it broke! It's guys like that that really hurt the sport, especially with the non-hunting community, who see nothing more than animal cruelty. As far as what you said about watching a dog work... NOTHING puts a bigger smile on my face when I see my lab speedily cutting back and forth on a trail, his tail going a million miles an hour, the ay the dog moves faster and faster as they get closer to the bird... WHEW! Gives me goosebumps and a smile just thinking about it!
As far as getting an organization going... we're a group of individuals who are spread out pretty far across this country. It's almost something that needs to be a true group endeavor, and yet a large individual project. We need to get something figured out, as far as a game plan, and then enact it in our individual states. Again, I think that it should be an organization that focuses LESS on hunting itself, and more on the dogs and our relationships with them. I know that I have the enthusiasm needed... but how to get the word out to OTHER hunters in the area.

MtnGuy75

Well i dont own any dogs...right now...but i am in! My father had sled dogs when i was a kid, people said it was cruel, but i saw those dogs they loved it! So lets keep brainstorming and spreading the word on this one. Great idea.