Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Ever notice that on all of the hunting shows, there are very few (if any) African American hunters? None of my hunting buddy are black and none of my black friends hunt. In fact most of my black friends think I am kind of crazy for enjoying hunting?
How many of you out there are African American? All you White, Latino, or Asian hunters out there; do you have any African American friends who hunt?
Just kind of an anthropological/socialogical curiousity.
okcmco

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

we have three clubs around my house of completely african american hunter so there is a lot of them my history teacher the other day said he was going to take up hunting

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Now that you mention it I can't come up with a single one.

There are, however, a LOT of african-american fisherman in my area. I'd dare say it's about 50/50 with everyone else.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

You not looking to good there.
These are good hunters,
Warren Strickland.
James ( Bud ) Jackson
Kelly Dardon

And a others I can't remember

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I know there are some but I personally don't know any. However, I know and have seen alot who are fisherman.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I think it has to most blacks living in cities rather than rural America. They just aren't exposed to it as much. I do know a few that rabbit hunt however.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

i dont personally know any african americans taht hunt either

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

We have very few in my neck of the woods. The fewI do know were taught by their fathers and live out in the "country". I always wanted to start a mentoring program for kids of all ethnic backrounds and wanted to see what some of the inner city kids(white, black and latino)would think of itif given the chance to hunt and be in the outdoors. There is on the other hand agood amount of latino hunters and I think it is great to see whole families enjoying the sport. Igo onsome 3-d shoots every year and have been seeing moreblack archers every year. It does the sport alot of good when you have many people enjoying it. During gun week last year I hadwitnessed a funny sighton a public peace we were hunting, a couple ofspanish guys were loading up a doe into a loweredacura with 20" chrome wheels on it. I don't know who lookedmore silly those guys stuffing it in the trunk or us trying to get a couple deer loaded into the bed of a Ford F250 with 8" lift and37'' tires on it. We were laughingat them and they were laughing at us! all in good fun. Point is people are people.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I truly think this is the main reason why. If your family and all of your friends never hunted do you think you would be hunting? Probably not! Same reason there are not many AA farmers in my area, none that really been doing it to pass the farm down too! I think saying they are all in the cities is borderline taking this thread in the wrong direction but it is the truth. Most AA have not in my opinion started to "prosper" and start doing great for there family's until say the last fifty years or so. Once theyget out into the country more andliving the country life there kids will start to pick up on it.One of my best friends is AA and he talks to me all of the time about wanting to hunt, somedayI think he will and his kids will probably fallowright behind him. I make this post in good, so please no one take it wrong.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I prefer to think of hunters... as hunters. I don't get into classifying them by color, race or creed. It just doesn't seem important. You're a hunting brother or you're not. Why do we need to always have to input something more than it really is?

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I can certainly tell you about some I wish DID'NT hunt! Nothing racial here,but these guys are holding on to the old southern tradition of running dogs. They kill anything and everything they see(we used to do the same thing),and are'nt interested in even hearing about QDM. Of course, dogs don't honor property lines,so they run deer onto and off of our lease on a regular basis..... very frustrating,but what can you do.....

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I know quite a few african american hunters.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I would guess that most people who hunt had a father who hunted. If not a father, some close relative who hunted. If we have a close relative who hunts, we probably grow up with positive associations with hunting. If no close relative hunts, we do not have these associations with hunting and hunting may seem very foreign to us. I suspect that in a lot of places blacks did not hunt in the past, for whatever reason.

In Illinois, where I come from, most blacks were located in Chicago and probably had few opportunities to hunt. We are talking about in the past, perhaps in the 1950's and 1960's. So maybe most of the blacks in Illinois have no association of close relatives with hunting. The hunting club in North Caroline that Oneshot7 mentions may exist because blacks in North Carolina in the 1950's and 1960's were located in rural areas and did indeed have hunting opportunities and thus shared a hunting tradition with their children.

Just a theory. I grew up on a farm in Illinois, and my father hunted and was a gun enthousiast. My father grew up on a farm and as a child hunted for rabbits to help feed the family during the Great Depression. He says they used to chase the rabbits in furoughs of plowed land and caught rabbits in "gunny sacks" -- burlap bags that may have been used to hold potatoes. But I imagine he also used .22 rifles or shotguns to take other small game.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Well If you dont see color then you must be blind or dumb cause you would have to be ignorant not to notice there are not as many African American hunters as white. Now in my case however I know many "black" hunters as I live in Southeast michigan even though I dont know any personally I do have many friends that are black that I fish and work with and they have no problem with hunting they just never got into it or had anyone to get them into it. And you know as well as I do that there are many Racist hunters out there I Hunt in a very racist part of michigan but I dont exactly understand why people can even be racist. well I guess im starting to ramble so Ill just stop cause im starting to get angry and i dont want to say anything Ill regret.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I'm a 27 year old black guy from Paris Kentucky I currently live inLexington but I hunt and fish and love every moment of it. I was fortunate to have a great father that loves it more than I. In the summer months we Bass fish in the early spring and early fall we crappie fish then as soon as the season opens we are DEER HUNTING as much as possible we also Turkey and Rabbit huntas well. My Dad is a successful at both I'm getting to be the more I hunt but for the most part black kids don't have a active father in their lives to do this with. Nor do they have the resources to do it such as land, guns (rifles not hand guns)or money and we all know it takes all three. Also those fathers who do take an interest in their son or daughters well being probably don't hunt or fish alot don't even know how. I guess I'm lucky because I get to hunt on private land we don't own yet but we are currently looking to buy and I get to fish from a beautiful Ranger boat and spend time with one of THE WORLD'S GREATEST FATHERS and learn about the outdoors but most of all life and how to treat people and respect the outdoors! MANLAW

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Welcome Manlaw! I usally go to Winchester twice a year!

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I don't know any... but that doesn't mean they aren't around.

I don't think this man's post was meant to cause a stir, he's African American, so I think he is genuinly curious why other's aren't into hunting.

I think what has been said has a lot to do with it. Upbringing is where MOST hunters learn the ways of the wild. lol Many African Americans live in town, there isn't anything wrong with it, just like any city-bred white folk, that's all they know. If you don't grow up with hunting, you are way less likely to pursue it in the future. I got lucky and ended up meeting a man who hunted, and taught me how (my husband), but if not for him, I'd still be walking the blind path of an "anti". [:'(]

I do see a bunch of African American fisherman, and that is because even in the city you have tons of fishing opportunites with parks, rivers, etc...

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I have some AA friends that loves to hunt and fish, they will hunt and fish every opportunity they get. They prefer to hunt in private land or paid hunts instead of public because of run-ins with racist people. I've ask them to go hunting with melots of times but I was going to hunt on public lands and they told me that it's not safe for minorities and I ask them why not. They just respond that they prefer to go hunting and not be hunted. We do fish in every rivers and lakes we can find in the state but just not hunting in public lands. I havehad lots of good times hunting with them in paid hunts and hunting in private land and I'm looking forward to the "07" season.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

One of the black fellas I work with has expressed an interest in trying deer hunting , so I've invited him to come to my place for his first attempt . Hopefully he'll catch the bug . The county I live in has a black population of around 3,000(10%) , and it seems to be mostly the older ones who hunt and fish . Strange since this is a predominantly rural county .

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

The term is Black Hunters, because you can be African American and be white.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

well guys for the record i am alsoblack. And i agree with what alot of you are saying about most black people living in the cities so they dont have a chance to hunt. Im not from the city but i dont think anyone in my family hunts besides me, but on the other hand though i dont know anyone in my family ,including me, that doesnt love to fish. I just got into hunting here recently but i have always been interested in it. on sunday mournings when i was a little kid while getting ready forchurch i would always watch hunting shows on tv, and when we would be driving down the rural roads i would think to myself " geez i bet their are alot of deer in those woods." Whenever i have children though i do plan on teaching the sport of hunting. boy or girl. and i can only hope that they love it as much i do. :D

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

yup i agree as well...there are just a small number of black/AA folks who live in the country and would be exposed to it. granted anyone who lives in a city can go outside the city to hunt but like these fellas have stated, most of the time they dont have a father or other close relative to get them started/interested. i have no problems with anyone hunting no matter what race they are. its a shame that some of them may love it and just dont get the chance. being 21 and seeing young people my age stray off in the wrong direction with drugs, and bad choices etc...i believe in the saying "Take your kids hunting, and you won't be hunting for your kids" Its true alot of times, but not ALWAYS true.

for a little humor, NONE the black boys id played football with in HS (suburb of Baltimore, MD about 7-8 miles from the city) would have gotten interested in hunting because they would tell you straight up "us black people don't like the cold!" They were some good guys to play ball with and always had us laughing.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

That's pretty s--tty that we get stereo typed as racist so folks won't go into the woods. If I said I won't goto downtown Baltimore because I'd get robbed I hear tons of crap. I've never heard of any minority getting shotwhile outhunting so I think your friends who won't hunt on Public land are full of crap-racist-A-holes.

By automatically thinking the hunters on public groundare racists and will make them the "hunted ones" is a loadof crap. People who make comments like that are as racist as they come. My pickup truck camo and rifle didnt come with a membership for the Clan.

Really pisses me off its ok for some to think of us that way but the people onthis siteare as respectful as they come to folks and are the same people hunting those public grounds his friends are scared of.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

i know where i come from they are not cold weather people! and deer season is usually cold weather, it might just be why? dunno

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

It dosen't matter to me who hunts, white, black, mexican, etc., I'm just tired of hearing ......./american, or whatever. What I would like to hear is, I'm an American, period. Let's just get on with life and live and hunt, fish, together. As for as I'm concerned, and my friends know me, there are no African/Americans, Mexican/Americans, etc., we are all supposed to be Americans. Why some folks choose to hunt or fish, or not to do either, is their decision and business, don't have a thing to do with race.

dog1

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

It doesn't matter much, but it sure would be nice to have more blacks hunt. More diversity can never hurt, ya know. I've been hunting since I was 12 but grew up around it. None of my black friends hunt, but none really grew up around it like I did. I think that's the biggest factor. I'm kinda a country boy. My uncles hunt and my poppop hunted and got me started. My dad did but quit a few years before I started. This makes my 10th year hunting. I think another thing that keeps people from getting into hunting is the stigma associated with it. A lot of people think of hunters as dumb, rednecks with missing front teeth and a 3rd grade education. I know that sure isn't me or any other hunter I know, but I think that's what many believe. Just my humble opinion.
-- B

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Ok, I have some experience with this and I notice none of the things Ive encountered have been mentioned so here it goes. I work in the suburbs of Baltimore and the work force is 60-40 predominatly black. Well all of my friends at work are black and one in particular is probably my best friend. I have offered to take him hunting and his main reply is "If you think Im going out in the woods in the dark you are crazy"! Keep in mind he is 6' 5" 330 lbs and he is deathly affraid of the dark, he grew up in Park Heights (really bad neighborhood) and can shoot a rifle as good as anyone but he hates the thought of the woods at dark. The other reason is as mentioned above the chance encounter of a run in with some people who dont particulaly care for blacks. I tell him that he is crazy and that I would have his back but his answer is "yeah but you are white and they probably wouldnt kill you". I think if I would slowly ween him into maybe an afternoon hunt that we would leave before dark he might enjoy it. Who knows maybe an afternoon squirrell hunting trip might be the answer.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Bingo... That says it all, right there. That's why I do my part in the corporate world to get rid of the negative fallacy on hunters. You know what I'm talking about: Shirt, tie, dress pants, powerpoint presentations, meetings, endless drinking of coffee, etc... And the funny part is that my office knows that I dress up in camo on weekends andI go hunting. I have tried talking to a few black friends at work about going to hunter education and getting a license so they can join me, but they say "No thanks". They are afraid of meeting up with some good ol' boys who, for some reason might still be stuck back in the50's and early 60's segregation. [:'(] One of my best friends is black (I mean, we can talk about anything and notcause bad feelings). We joke about race and stuff, and have no problems. He did crack a joke saying stuff like, "A black man doesn't look good in camo". And, something hilarious like, "Does that Mossy Oak stuff come in leather and have a clock on the front, so I could look like Flavor Flav and go hunting too?" :D

You see what I am getting at? There is still that misconception about hunting/hunters, where 97% of hunters are white, listen to country music, and have a rebel flag somewhere on your jacked up pickup truck. :eek:

It doesn't bother me, if you are the color purple and have orange polka dots... You want to go hunting? Cool.... let's go.

Butch A.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Well at my school here in alabama you're either a redneck...country boy *me*....black...or white guy who acts black...(annoying)....or you're just normal...lol

but anyways i know a few black hunters...but they are older..most them run dogs though


here lately round at our school the whites and blacks are at it again...if you hunt all off sudden you are considered racist....

all teh blacks make fun of us...and all the whites kinda take..until they start bringing family into and it turns into and all out fist fight...i ain't had nothin done to me exept by the white kids who think they are black...and i tell them to act there own color and f*** off....

lol

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Well, well quite an interesting topical conversation to say the least. I will make a brief comment to the topic at hand hopefully without becoming glib.

I’ve been hunting for 32 years as an African American, BlackHunter choose your poison of distinguishing my nationality. First and foremost I’m an American male who has served his country of my own free will and accord.

I thank the almighty for having an uncle who loved the outdoors, even though he was predominately a rabbit hunter. And as a city boy being raised in New York City he took it upon himself to introduce me to the second love of my life today. As I grew older I ventured further into the art of hunting and learning its various ways. I tell my wife each year there’s hunting, fishing then you and of course as the season changes so does the sport fishing, hunting then her. Well we are still together after 19 years go figure.:D

It wasn’t until 1990 when I had the opportunity to pick up a bow or even attempt to deer hunt. My neighbor Chris was shooting his bow one day and asked if I ever shot one, of course my response was no. I watched him for a few minutes after he asked if I wanted to attempt such, well I hit the target three out of four times in the kill zone he was ecstatic. I quickly had to get myself a bow and I thank Chris ever chance I get. There are always good people regardless of the stereotyping. I’ve hunted many places even being the only African American, Black Hunter etc at camp. The amazing thing is they all knew that but invited me every year for it’s an act of brotherhood on our part!


Today I hunt with quite a few from this site that has know me quite a while now and I never feel uncomfortable around them. And to the question of AA are not in the country is fallacious to say the least many were raised in the country to some extent and have moved on. Society has it’s way of dictating things I rather call it “Behavioral Modification” I’m not of the country but I love it’s way of life. I will do my part to introduce as many people possible regardless the complexion of their skin. What truly hurts the sport is that of ourselves, when we attempt to determine or justify what is ethical when it comes to how one may harvest his or her trophy. Just because one chooses their means runs dogs, verses that who still hunts make neither truly justified to those who don’t hunt keep that in mind.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Back when I was in college a few of my black friends used to call me crazy for hunting. I would ask them why and they would always say "well I know I would never go out in the woods alone or with a group", they were obviously scrared of the woods. Although I can't say all black people are scared to go out in the woods, because Bo Jackson is a bow hunter himself and he's killed several nice bucks.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

alot of your black athletes, especially nfl players are avid hunters

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

I've never seen an african american huting now that I think about it. But then again, there aren't many african americans in WY to begin with. There were none in the town I grew up in.

RE: Why aren't there more Black hunters?
 

Hey rooster. You know alot of African American Hunters? Where abouts are you from? Maybe I make too big a deal about it, but my black friends have an attitude about us hunters; they seem to think we are racist or throwbacks to the older attitude towards blacks. My Soundman is black and he has this concern. Then I tell him that I am a hunter and would he call me a racist. No he says but the stereo type persists. Plus My soundman says that many city african americans have no love of nature (real nature) and do not like wild animals, snakes, camping etc. On the other hand, I could name you alot of City Mexican relatives of mine who would say the same thing.
I just think it would be a good thing for us to try to get some urban people of any race into hunting.
Good luck this season
Marco