Social Media & Hunting

[NKQualtieri]

Since I love to bother you guys on occasion with ethical questions, I thought I'd share an essay I wrote awhile back on social media and hunting, it dives into the way hunters portray themselves on social and the defensive reactionary theme that has become popular as of late:

http://www.themeateater.com/2016/hunting-matters-the-unapologetic-hunter/

Always curious to the HuntTalk take on this sort of thing.

I'm also looking for other writers to contribute to this essay series, Hunting Matters. It's not a personal essay series, it's about noting specific issues facing hunting from a cultural perspective, and that perspective can be one focusing on cultural issues within hunting or the one that faces it from a public perspective. I'll be releasing another essay from another hunter on the use of the language "harvest vs killing" this wk that I think a lot of you will really like.

If you'd like to put something together for this, shoot me a PM. Looking for a wide range of opinions/backgrounds/worldviews, so don't think it's limited to a one-sided view of hunting.

 

[kansasdad]

I liked your essay Nicole.

Words choice and attitudinal tone can doom a conversation regarding controversial subjects faster than the actual position taken in a philosophical argument. Good apologetics require a mastery of fact, an understanding of your audience and a firm control of our own emotions.

I look forward to future installments.

 

[bobbydean]

Great essay. Great response,

Wish I had your guys knack for language!

 

[JLS]

Thanks for sharing the essay.

I think that for the most part, how one's hunting stories are viewed by the non-consumptive public (and other hunters for that matter) depends largely upon the context by which they portray it.

As you noted, there are some really "in your face" personas in the world today. I don't really care if you shoot a limit of ducks every time you go out, or if you are the baddest ass on the mountain. Big deal. What I care about are the experiences. I kill to eat, but I hunt to share experiences, be it with friends, family, or myself and my dog.

Also, what is the motivation for sharing? Again, is it done with humility and thankfulness, or is it done with braggadocio to build your persona? Or is it to share the experience and to inspire others to partake in the wonders of our natural resources?

The answers to these questions will greatly influence how one's stories are viewed by others.

 

[NKQualtieri]

Good apologetics require a mastery of fact, an understanding of your audience and a firm control of our own emotions.

Yes! After I wrote this, my friend Elliott and I got into a discussion of what apologia means at its core, which is the formal written defense of one's beliefs, attitudes, or actions. It does change the nature of the way you think about the word itself. It's not necessarily always defensive in nature, if it's written in the way you described.

 

[MN Public Hunter]

Well let me get on my high horse and say the issue is the tools and that most people have lost the ability to actually communicate. I for one will never have a twitter or instagram account and therefore totally ignore those stupid tags, in fact I hate them. Since when did a pound sign get renamed to hashtag I have noticed for quite some time that the "younger" generations feel the need to "communicate" on these tools and no other way, they have seem to have lost the need to actually talk to people.

I don't even think most people know that the device in their hands can be used to talk to people, all they do is type on it. People feel that behind these magic tools and devices they can be who they want and totally different than who they really are.

On the other hand, you also have the people who act just like that in person based on the tags, I mean come on, if you type #dontbeapussy, you more than likely are a douche in person as well.

Off high horse...

 

[Flatland Crusoe]

What you are saying in the essay has real clarity considering how short of time you have been involved in the sport. So much of it does speak to someone who has had experiences as someone who has seen things throught the lens of both a hunter and an non-hunter. There is also an inherent edge that adult onset hunters have about understanding they are doing versus life long hunters. I think a lot of people who got started hunting young are still trying to break apart why we do it and enjoy it.

I think a lot of hunters have tunnel vision by default because the traditional demographics of hunting don't lend themselves to introspective discussion. Realistically the hunting world has always been playing catch up in both the media and outdoor sports world. Most magazine articles are written at a 3rd grade level and both print and video media almost universally give thumbs up to products that pay them the most money. Sometimes I'm unsure if the hunting world is simply getting the media it wants or just the media its used to. So much of the hunting world traditionally is the rural white male who on a much larger level feels that his lifestyle and values are constantly under attack or are no longer relevant in 2016. In this same group anything that can be construed as politically correct is often viewed as negative rather than a positive.

The thing most non hunters don't understand is what is actually involved in hunting whether that be effort, strict regulation or that people don't just kill things and leave them in the woods. I think social media posts to the general public should be very well thought out because I think there is a middle 80% of the population who is willing to listen to reason and to become allies of our cause. Social media is such a strong tool today and it can be very good or very damaging depending on what you make it.

 

[noharleyyet]

Thoughtful essay NK...and some damn good HT'r responses.

..you can quote me.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Great essay. You have a gift for conveying a clear and thoughtful message.

I think this is an extremely complex issue and speaks to some kind of disturbing social trends in general. We have a generation of folks who define their own self worth by the number of "likes" and virtual "friends" they accumulate. Given all the bombardment we are subjected to these days from media, television, and internet, it takes ever more outrageous and ridiculous statements and behavior to attract the attention necessary to obtain those coveted "likes" and "friends". From the rise of reality television to social media, we are seeing an extreme level of a technological popularity contest. So some hunters coin kitschy phrases (Smoked 'im! We whacked and stacked 'em! I slayed that TOAD!) and engage in outlandish celebrations and self-congratulations (often before the quarry has actually hit the dirt), then post it all online and can't figure out why some folks very vocally oppose and attack hunters. Most ordinary, non-hunting people find it difficult to reconcile the killing of an animal with the flippant one-liners and sort of disrespectful behavior that ends up in a lot of those social media posts. But instead of some introspection and honest consideration of what it is exactly that non-hunters find distasteful, those hunters decide that they need to defend themselves by being even MORE outrageous and in-your-face. Sadly, I think to some degree these people who are compelled to post everything on social media are so desperate for approval that on some level it feels like a personal rejection when others publicly disapprove of what they've posted. Hence the overly defensive postures. Free speech and all, but at some point they need to realize how their own actions play into the cycle, and that the way they are portraying hunting to the world is damaging to the sport as a whole.

Many parallels could be drawn to a certain election I've been hearing about....

 

[mtmuley]

For most of the years I have been a hunter, (pre social media) I suppose I was unaware that other people even cared, or knew that I was a hunter. Now, with social media, being a hunter is percieved in many different ways. It's my responsibilty to live up to a positive perception. Especially to those that will form that perception based largely on social media. mtmuley

 

[VAspeedgoat]

Great essay. I think you are right. There is never a black or white answer or thought on anything. Real life is abouy shades of grey, no pun intended. There is a difference, as you pointed out, between not apologizing and being almost aggressive. I think it is Steve R. that has pointed out that like it or not we hunt at the mercy of non hunters.

Its a complex thing we do. At the heart of it is putting food on the table for most of us. But at the same time we all want bigger better trophies, and nice mounts. There isn't anyone who laid awake dreaming of the yearling doe that in reality is the best table fare we could hope for. I thought about it and have compared it to our jobs. For many of us, we put similar effort into what we do for a living. We think about it, worry too much about it and struggle to do better. At the heart is basic necessities of living. But for many of us we are trying to do more and be better for personal goals and somewhat to stroke our ego. It may be a stretch to connect it that way, but I don't know how else to explain hunting to someone who has never experienced the array of emotions involved in our pursuit of wild game.

 

[idahofishnhunt]

Good article...I'm the only one that commented on it there, rather than here. I look forward to more of the similar from others that write and submit them.

 

[1_pointer]

I appreciate the essay and it points to issue(s) I know I am going to have to deal with in the future. I have two young sons and the power of social media over their generation will be substantial. How I, them, we, decide to portray the hunter side of their lives, especially through social media, is going to be something we will have to consider. I live in a very suburban and somewhat affluent part of the state. Where I grew up I had multiple kids in my class that were also hunters and I graduated HS with only 130 kids. My sons will be in larger schools and at this time I know of no other kids in their class that hunt. I don't want them to be ashamed of that aspect of our lives, but then again I know how misguided and fickle kids can be. So, thank you for the essay.

As an aside, I "Donuts with Dads" day at my son's pre-K class, one of the activities was for the child to fill out a form describing their Dad. For the line, "My Dad's favorite food is ____." my son put elk. Pretty sure that was the only answer of it's kind that day!

 

[NKQualtieri]

Great essay. I think you are right. There is never a black or white answer or thought on anything. Real life is abouy shades of grey, no pun intended. There is a difference, as you pointed out, between not apologizing and being almost aggressive. I think it is Steve R. that has pointed out that like it or not we hunt at the mercy of non hunters.

Its a complex thing we do. At the heart of it is putting food on the table for most of us. But at the same time we all want bigger better trophies, and nice mounts. There isn't anyone who laid awake dreaming of the yearling doe that in reality is the best table fare we could hope for. I thought about it and have compared it to our jobs. For many of us, we put similar effort into what we do for a living. We think about it, worry too much about it and struggle to do better. At the heart is basic necessities of living. But for many of us we are trying to do more and be better for personal goals and somewhat to stroke our ego. It may be a stretch to connect it that way, but I don't know how else to explain hunting to someone who has never experienced the array of emotions involved in our pursuit of wild game.

This is awesome, VA.

It is interesting to think about how we translate the stories of hunting for a public forum. Bringing up ego & personal goals got me thinking about grip n grins.

Before I worked in hunting media, my opinion on grip n grins was really one of disgust. I didn't understand the stories, the physical test of endurance, the years spent, the effort that lived behind those images. Why would someone smile after killing something? It didn't connect. Because I didn't know, I didn't have the kind of stories to reference that I do now. My opinion has changed.

So I think a lot about this, mostly because I was one of those people who lived in that area of misunderstanding. And TBH I still have issues with some grip n grins, like the ones I mention in this article w/the aggressive tags and descriptions. I personally don't like seeing a ton of dead coyotes, I probably never will. Grip n grins of bears & other predators are also hard for me, but I also know these are all emotional reactions, I still believe these populations should be managed and hunted, I just don't foresee seeing these particular animals getting easier for me, although I don't disagree with it fundamentally.

I think when we get locked into our own worlds, we just forget that there are often others looking on, especially in public forums. There is so much thoughtfulness is the hunting community, Big Fin's latest "Why I Hunt" vid and all of your comments are so evident of that--I'm hopeful that those messages become the ones that are widespread, rather than the Cecil stories of the world.

That could be a blind hope, but it's what I've got at this point

 

[Big Fin]

Nicole has not mentioned this, but she is going to be on the podcast episode we record later this afternoon/evening, along with Janis Putelis from Zero Point Zero. This social media topic is one I want to cover in more depth.

You Hunt Talkers have other topics you want discussed when Nicole and Janis are on the mic?

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

Nicole has not mentioned this, but she is going to be on the podcast episode we record later this afternoon/evening, along with Janis Putelis from Zero Point Zero. This social media topic is one I want to cover in more depth.

You Hunt Talkers have other topics you want discussed when Nicole and Janis are on the mic?

Knowing she is a new hunter, it would be fun to hear some of her adventure into the hunting world, and what she has learned in the process.

I have a lot of respect for those who adopt the lifestyle later in life, and enjoy hearing their stories.

 

[airlocksniffer]

You Hunt Talkers have other topics you want discussed when Nicole and Janis are on the mic?

I think it's great to see more women hunters in what seems like a male dominated "sport". The women who are most visible are the blonde, barbie types (ie Theresa Vail). Nicole, if you could talk about your experience as a new hunter but also a new woman hunter if it differs I think it would be very interesting.

 

[Gerald Martin]

I think many people who use social media to spread a message now days mistakenly assume that an "in your face" "love it or leave it" approach gains them a supportive audience. Much like the insecure dude that has to posture in social settings to make himself feel important, these types of posters only advertise their own discomfort with who they are and what they do.

I find it much more compelling when people who use social media are comfortable with who they are and post what they do in such a way that is sensitive to the perceptions of people who may not support their activities. It is very powerful when a person artistically, and confidently displays what they are passionate about in a manner that doesn't try to shove that activity down peoples throat with content intended to shock.

Shock content drew attention at one time, but it has been so overused that it elicits boredom and disgust among those who encounter it now. Content and presentation is just like advertising. Overt, unavoidable product promotion causes viewers to change the channel, but artistic, soft sell advertising is tolerated and even enjoyed.

 

[HSi-ESi]

One little thought I've had on the subject relates to the "life-long hunter" vs. the "adult onset hunter" vs. the "non-hunter".

For me personally, I'm a "life-long hunter". As such, when I was in school - Monday mornings were a huge deal. We would stand around the halls / lockers and tell our hunting stories from the weekend. I always thought we were honing a craft, but maybe it was merely sculpting a turd. Regardless, it was a deeply ingrained part of my life. If friends came over to the house - out popped the hunting specific picture album and vice-versa when I went to their house. So when I first dabbled in social media - most of my "friends" online were also hunting friends. So it was natural for me to post hunting pics.

But I have many friends (college, adulthood, etc) that aren't hunters. And for them-and depending on my security settings on said social media app - maybe their "friends" see a picture of me with a dead animal. Now that in itself didn't bother me - but looking at their point of view - I can see where they are viewing the picture in a different point of reference. Even the "adult onset hunter" can be a tough sell sometimes.

The biggest point to me - is that it does zero good for me to show a non-hunter a pic of me with something dead. I'm losing a battle I didn't even know was being fought.

I very rarely post on social media, even more rarely post hunting pics. And I don't like posting pic's of my kids either. Come to my house though, I'll bust out the i-Pad.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

This thread has really made me think over the past few days. The image and idea of hunting is very similar to what I do for a living. I am a ninth generation farmer with some crops, and cattle but poultry is our major focus. We sell a smal bird to fast food restaurants like popeyes and kfc. When I am out at social gathering I find myself in conversations that start going to criticise farmers or modern large scale production practices. Then when reality sets n the conversation becomes,"oh I meant all the other farmers out there not you, I like you, but those other guys are bad."

The same situation presents itself to us as hunters. When we are given an opportunity, we need to replace the mental image of the "bad" hunter that is easy to conjure, with the image of someone they know and trust pusuing a pastime while feeding there family. Just as Randy has done, straight forward talk about why and how will be our best answer.

Temple Grandin, a CSU proffessor and animal science specialist was the first I ever heard say this. She put on you tube a video of a steer going step by step through a slaughter house. Sure, many animal rights people were dismayed, but over all most people started responding favorable because now they knew how it happened. The new mental image replaced the barbaric image they had. It started a lot of good dialogue with a group of people that may not have been as positive without Temple sharing that.

It just made me think about how we should be handling things instead of the in your face stuff.