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I heard Wendy Keefover talk about the bear hunt ban on the Hunt to Eat Podcast. It was very obvious how the HSUS's position on 'trophy hunting' was motivated reasoning - a calculated attempt to use a widespread reaction to 'trophy' hunting to ignore any evidence of other motivation.

I always take a picture of my kill (so far just deer and moose). It never leaves my phone (my choice) and I only show it to people who have genuine curiosity about the kill (also my choice). This was 'trophy hunting' in Wendy Keefover's argument.

I'm doing my first bear hunt in a few weeks. I do worry that the motivated reasoning and torquing of the politics of the hunt will get in the way of an appropriate discussion of bear hunting ethics, e.g. does evidence show that mamas with cubs are protected when bait hunting is used, and if baiting is consistent fair chase (NB these are questions, not an attack, and I don't agree to silence appropriate discussion because it might be used against me). I don't have a clear data or a well founded opinion on these questions, so I will use spot and stalk.

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Apr 26, 2022Liked by Holly Heyser

Huzzah for the victory, and for science and fundamental rights prevailing. In Maine, where bear hunting is very popular, we face the HSUS and a end-run hunting ban every few years. It seems a constant battle and a constant barrage of misinformation, disinformation, emotion-laden propaganda, and pseudo-science (a bit of a peeve for me as a scientist). Particularly annoying since the anti’s efforts in Maine are funded largely from out of state.

Thanks for writing about this and giving and in-depth analysis and editorial. 👍🙏

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I've never hunted except for the freezer and the nearest thing to a trophy I've ever had is deer antlers that I give to the dogs to chew (they LOVE them).

But if I ever hunted a beast that could conceivably kill me in response, I might well mount that head. I'm thinking something like a cape buffalo at 20 yards with a bow, etc. That's a legit trophy in my mind. Anything that doesn't have a shot at killing you isn't a trophy, it's just self aggrandizing puffery.

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founding
Apr 26, 2022Liked by Holly Heyser

Thanks for writing and including me in the conversation Holly. I truly hope we can use this as a building block, maybe not to expand opportunities just yet, but to communicate with the non-hunting community and highlight the BS that HSUS spreads. Wendy is now on record (twice) stating that science does not matter and using trophy as an inflammatory term.

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Apr 26, 2022Liked by Holly Heyser

Glad to see this outcome. Among the many other things I believe were demonstrated, a strong and apparently unified presence by the hunting community stands tall (not just in the meeting, but in the efforts leading up to it). But what I saw also was an articulate, logical response. I certainly saw some less than logical stuff in some of the comments on certain social media pages, but in general, this was about sticking to the facts and not going off half-cocked with cockamamie accusations or personal attacks. Mostly.

I also think the warning you put out there is accurate and necessary. Other states need not be so complacent in the face of these attacks by organizations like HSUS and CBD. The face of every state is changing, and as more non-hunters move to rural areas, there are more folks sympathetic to the lies and rhetoric these anti-hunting organizations are spreading. It's not a great idea to take for granted the general acceptance of hunting activities... especially when the most visible activities frequently have such terrible optics (e.g. our local hound hunters, lining the highways). Stay aware. Stay engaged, And get involved.

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