Written By: Josh Webb
There is no doubt that social media has completely changed the way everyone in our world communicates. It gives an outlet for people to express what they believe in and are passionate about. As a hunter and outdoorsmen, I particularly like this because I can communicate with people all over the world who share similar interests. However, with this public expression of our interests it also gives plenty of people who disagree with our lifestyle an equally large platform to state their opinion of disgust toward us. These people have certainly put a damper on the things we post to our pages but hunters themselves have done more harm to hunting than any anti group could ever do.
I could not imagine being a young kid who is just starting to hunt. It is no secret that kids are constantly on social media looking at everything going on and finding things that interest them. The sad part is that for a kid who is just learning to hunt they are bombarded with info. from other hunters on social media that make the young hunter immediately feel as if they will never measure up in the eyes of experienced hunters. I see it all the time where a hunter is bashing another hunter for killing a deer too small or killing wood ducks instead of only greenhead mallards. The truth of it is that the person who posted the picture is proud of what they have done yet they are unfortunately shot down by other hunters who want to sound superior.
This is what bothers me the most because a kid or new hunter will immediately see it and become scared to post anything knowing that other hunters will make their efforts seem meaningless and unworthy of praise. Passing down our heritage has nothing to do with harvesting a 150 inch deer or killing a limit of ducks. We should teach and continue to practice respect for the land and the animals that inhabit it. It is important that we support one another and quit fanning the flames that the anti-hunting parties want to see blaze through our outdoor heritage. Social media has its place in society and it is never going to leave. However if hunters and outdoorsmen don’t step up and support each other we will quickly lose the next generation of hunters all together.
