Bring the “H.E.A.T”

What is the biggest threat to hunting?  Is it anti-hunters and all those groups that oppose this questionable act, or is it something else?  We’ll explore this live and on stage in Reno, Nevada at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations National Convention.  For starters, we’d like to introduce “H.E.A.T”.  When it comes to hunting ethics, this is a good place to start.

“H.E.A.T.” all began with those thoughts while on stand.  Time in the wilderness where there are no distractions and things come into perspective quite clearly.  After Outfitting for over a decade, certain things can no longer be overlooked, therefore, the author of this Elk Hunting Blog has chosen a new route.  Please call or email me if you’d like some “H.E.A.T” cards to pass on to your own friends or hunting clients.

Aldo Leopold told us that hunting has no audience or Mob of onlookers to approve or disapprove of his or her conduct.  While this was likely true in the mid-19th century, long before Outdoor Hunting shows, internet and all kinds of attention at the finger-tips of that mod, times have changed.

I spent a great deal of time researching and digging for some better definitions of certain “codes of conduct” that we as all hunters shuold abide by while in the field and amongst the general audience that now indeed does see all our actions.  Unfortunately, like most things, it’s the few bad apples that paint the cloudy and misunderstood image of the hunter.  As a group, it’s most important for us to all stick together.  No longer can we argue silly debates from within and must set aside this small, most times meaningless differences and look ahead to tomorrow and plan for today.  The image of the hunter itself is in great jeapardy. 

One of the first steps we must take is to trim the fat.  No longer can one turn the other cheek when we witness questionable yet legal acts while in the field.  We have to take personal responsibility and make the call, sometimes it’s that phone call to 800-TIP MONT, other times it’s simply doing what’s right, not taking a shot that’s beyond our abilities, not risking disrespect for the animals we pursue and of course, no polluting the environment in which we pursue them.  We must stand tall and become even more vigilante stewards of a priveledge that is threatened each and every day.  Remember, there is often a difference between laws and ethics.

I hope all of you who follow this blog will ban with me and agree to be a more skeptical consumer and insist on fair chase hunting and traditional-authentic methods, which is seemingly becoming a lost art.  Short-cuts and gadgetry are not the answer.  Taking the time to learn the basic skills, mastering them, then passing them on is a step in the right direction.

Although I’ll always be your Outfitter first, following that part of my job is to continue to question why it is what we do, and if I can in some little way make sure there is a tomorrow for every sportsman, then I’ll do my best trying.

Please stop by our booth in Reno #1231.

Thankyou!

Outfitter JB Klyap