WB
These days unwanted negative attention is bad.
Monday, October 22, 2018, 08:43

Handgun hunting in general is seen by the general population at poor sport, even by ignorant rifle hunters. Yet they have no issues with someone taking a bow and arrow in pursuit of the largest game. It is a matter of perspective. As a firearm fancier do you personally understand the difference in a cedar shaft propelling long bow vs a carbon spine slung at 400 fps by a modern overdraw system? A rifle hunter pictures a "handgun hunter" wielding a fix sighted .38 Special or a 9mm auto?

The Indians were not much interested in "sport" but as they rode among the Bison, poking them with very under powered and ill designed arrows, it still proved effective. They just watched until the pin-cushioned Bison got wobbly legged and fell over, to be left behind by the herd. I figure the cowboys shooting them with revolvers did much the same.

The idea that my "hunting handgun" puts out some 3500 ft. lbs of muzzle energy is beyond the understanding of most people. The numbers themselves arguably misleading. The .450 GNR handgun mimicking the .45-70 Govt. BP load of 1200 fpe is just as deadly and arguments are historically proven vain. A lot of it has to do with the attitude and skill of the hunter himself. Is it a stunt or highly calculated act? Either way the general public is likely to see it in a negative light.

The presentation of information is just as irresponsible these days. Possibly even more so as to the damage to hunting in general. We know we are working against a stacked deck, it will immediately be seen as a negative by many. To divide our own ranks by questionable techniques, designed to stir controversy, is only that much worse. It invites attacks on one's person and the entire concept of hunting in general.

It is admittedly difficult to share our excitement and joy these days on social media without ramifications. We are forced to re-think our actions prior or pay the penalty of exposure to radical ideas and critique on any level. It's a different world and much of it you cannot change, only choose not to participate. That's sad because in this country at least we are supposed to be free. We are faced with fighting for our freedom constantly, on a different type of battlefield, with an apathetic enemy. There is no joy, no winning, that can be measured, only mental momentary satisfaction that is quickly gone.

The depths of future influence of all this rabid social media and exposure on personal levels is yet to be understood. We might be rounded up and convicted one day for photos posted decades previous! This has never existed before and no one can escape it, save the most concentrated efforts to remain off the grid totally. Even then, it is not known how effective those efforts might be.

Think before you post, if you can (Lord knows I've violated common sense too many times but I've had fun), this is the wild wild west we are living today.