As we are getting to know each other, I’m answering questions and trying to contradict the urban “profile” or stereotypical pop culture portrayal of hunters.
One of the guys was talking about his dog, a large breed puppy, that quickly destroys any chew toys. I mentioned that elk antlers make pretty good, long lasting chews. He was interested. I said I could use some for my wife’s puppies too.
My buddies were out of sheds, so I reached out here on Bowsite. Ike was the first to respond and was very generous so we worked out a deal. Several other guys were kind enough to offer as well.
Ike shipped the antler pieces to my coworker at work. There was an entertaining level of interest in the box by all of the employees. Almost everyone had to handle the antler pieces and ask questions. We divided them up, giving some pieces to another guy with a dog.
Everyone was impressed that a check was sent to Ike to cover the shipping and more than he had requested and there was still savings compared to PetSmart… because of a website called Bowsite. I told them it was a pretty good deal for everybody except PetSmart.
I had been in a mood to make some of my chili and thought I’d take the opportunity to have multiple beneficial impacts.
These “concrete walkers” were expressing interest in hunting. It’s never bad for an “FNG” to offer up some food. I felt like making chili. The grocery store finally had habaneros.
I made a large batch of elk and whitetail chili and brought it to work.
It went over very well. Lots of questions. Lots of interest the process. A Middle Eastern guy couldn’t get over the fact that the meat in his bowl of chili had been packed out in my backpack. One of the design ladies commented that her “mind was blown” by how good it was and that she’d never look at a deer the same again.
I just kind of let it run its course. None had ever eaten any venison before. The adventurous tried some and made the pitch to the hesitant. “You gotta try this stuff!!”
Only one guy had one bowl. Everyone else went back for more.
It’s not going to change the world, but Ike’s elk antler pieces and some chili may have helped alter some misconceptions about hunters. We might’ve scored some points.
It doesn’t always work this way, but it’s worth trying.
Short bloodtrails!!
"Baby steps" ;^)
Well done.
I like to be happy. Reading and hearing about good things makes me happy. I'm a pretty simple fella.
Everyone enjoyed it except the vegetarian...................but after seeing everyone enjoying it over the years, and me explaining that everything I kill gets eaten or put to use, she came to accept hunting.
I do the same thing here with friends in a huge metro area. Everyone is always surprised that venison doesn't taste gamey (or whatever they imagined in their heads).
As you said it will not change the world, but it will change a few minds at a time.
Also, when I teach a Firearms or Bow Hunting Certification class, we have cooked Venison chili, or Bear Hotdogs, Moose Stew, or Pheasant Marsala for people to taste. Even though this group is much more hunter friendly, we still have a lot of people saying things like "wow I never knew bear tasted that good". Use the phrase: "Field to Table" and you'll attract the attention of some who never would have paid attention otherwise.
We should Never miss an opportunity to paint hunters in a positive light. My Girlfriend has her own medical practice, she put her full mount bear right in the waiting room. That gets a lot of comments and starts a LOT of conversations. We recently hung up my Moose shoulder mount, and brought in a mounted pheasant. What surprises a lot of people is that we have had almost no negative response, despite the fact that all of this occurs in a suburb of NYC, in a very liberal area. SPREAD THE WORD!
I’m not changing the world. I get it. But especially those of us that live in urban, non hunting environments… if we can counteract the Anti crowd in our corner of the world, maybe we can shift perception a little.
Have fun!!
You won a few for the home team Rick.
