Sportsman's Blog

January 2012
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Random Thoughts On The 2012 SHOT Show

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Jim Braaten

It’s been a week now since returning home from the 34^th annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show and I’ve been ruminating on the experience ever since leaving. No doubt about it…the energy experienced at SHOT this year was very palpable and positive.

To begin, we are three years into the Sands Convention Center experience and I would have to say it’s getting better each year. While I still yearn for the days back when the show was hosted largely in one main room with aisles long and predictable, I have to say SHOT has done nearly everything possible to make navigating this show floor an easier experience. Still not perfect, but now with a little past experience and tools such as the smartphone SHOT Show app, navigation has dramatically improved to check out all 1,600 exhibits.

Now, if you’re looking for me to talk about what’s new in this blog post…I’m sorry to disappoint. Instead, I want to point you to a few other sites that do a wonderful job fleshing out many of the new products on display. The first site is put together by a friend and fellow blogging colleague, Richard Johnson, over at Guns Holsters and Gear. His pro staff does such a good job of reporting on many the new product details you deserve to check it out.

Another good source of SHOT Show information is available in video format from the Professional Outdoor Media Association’s new Media Center. Currently they have about 100 short two minute or less videos showcasing news both from the recent Archery Trade Association show as well as SHOT. Click on the graphic to check it out.

One final source for good 2012 SHOT Show information is Field and Stream magazine’s online coverage that can be found HERE.

Some might ask why I don’t provide a rundown of new products on this blog. It’s a good question. During previous SHOT Shows I have certainly dedicated blog space within these pages to talking about the products—the new, the interesting and the strange. Truth is I don’t go to SHOT these days with the primary objective of seeing (and reporting) on what is new in the industry.

There was a time earlier in my career when writing about such aspects of the show was important. As I’ve matured, I suppose it could be said it takes more innovation to impress me. After all, how many ways can you tweak a flashlight and still be excited about it after watching product development for two decades.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, new products still excite me. But over the years I’ve learned the SHOT Show for me is much more about making connections and networking than it is observing everything new on display. Quite honestly, I don’t know how anyone within this industry can fail to find great benefit by attending the trade show. It is the keynote event within the outdoors and shooting industry.

Today, I’d like to wrap up this post by showing some iPhone pictures snapped at this year’s SHOT. Here’s hoping they’ll give you a better sense of what it must be like to walk the busy show floor and to take in the unique experience:

One of the cool products I did see at SHOT. Plastic tree stump ground blind marketed by NatureBlinds.com

Many of us walk by this exhibit drooling and dreaming of winning the lottery.

Many exhibits feature celebrity autograph sessions. Here, Lynn Swann, HOF NFL football player greets show attendees for Colt.

Even the SHOT Press Room was a busy place this year with 2,400+ media in attendance covering the show.

Tags: SHOT+Show

Filed under: Events, Hunting, Shooting Sports, Travel | Tagged: field and stream magazine, sands convention center, SHOT Show | 1 Comment »

Photo Blog: Fishing Above & Below The Ice

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Jim Braaten

My friend, Todd Rost, sent these photos along to me and they are just too great not to share. In the pictures it shows his father, Dick Rost, fishing with Dick’s granddaughter, Ashley, who is 8 y/o and a real outdoors woman. Great to see the older generation sharing a love of the outdoors with the youth.

Incidentally, the sled Dick is sitting on he made when he was a kid and continues to use to this day. Same goes for the dark handled jiggle stick that he purchased from Warner Hardware in Minneapolis circa 1940. Ice fishing holds lots of nostalgia and fun for the Rost Family. Dick turns 78 years old next month and has only missed one ice fishing season during the past 66 years — that was back in 1956 when he was serving in the Navy.

Enjoy the pictures above the ice.

And now for a different kind of fishing using some cold water diving equipment. Todd and his buddy are both experienced dive rescue crew members with certification to perform under ice rescues. Wait ‘till you see what they caught (no bodies this time).

Indeed, they discovered one sunken log that obviously at one time or another has caused many a fisherman to curse (note the assorted jigs retrieved) as well as a hub cap from a Cadillac. How that found its way into the lake is anyone’s guess.

Filed under: Fishing | Leave a Comment »

Growing Impressed With The Quality Of Today’s Camera-Phones

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Jim Braaten

One of the interesting aspects of the SHOT Show is that no matter what city it’s in…there’s a good chance it’s not the only tradeshow being held. In fact, some of the most interesting people I’ve met over the years have been during those “after hours” from SHOT when a person finds themselves mingling in some cocktail lounge.

One such encounter I was reminded of happened about four years ago while sitting in Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in Vegas. The guy sitting next to me struck up a conversation and we verbally exchanged our purpose for being in town. Of course, mine was for SHOT, but the guy sitting next to me had just wrapped up a stint at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show that concluded just as SHOT was beginning.

We chit chatted for awhile, and eventually he pushed his business card to me. Turned out he was the director of standards for some big imaging industry association. He then looked at my simple little flip phone that I had placed on the bar and proclaimed… “you just wait…in a few years the phone you carry will be all the camera you’ll need.” I protested and said, “no way…this thing takes mediocre images, at best. There’s no way a camera phone will ever rival the quality of my DSLR equipment back home.” His final response was… “you’ll see…technology is quickly advancing in that area.”

Damn, if he wasn’t right. I have a small fortune in photography equipment locked in my safe at home…but these days the camera that gets used the most is the one I have with me at all times.

My daughter, Elsie, as she joined me many mornings this past fall running the trapline.

My old flip phone had a 1.2 megapixel resolution. My old BlackBerry had a camera approximately 3.2 megapixels. And now my current iPhone4 has about 5 megapixels, but the newest iPhone4S supposedly comes in about 8 megapixels. Now, please understand I realize a person can’t judge a camera’s true quality just by higher megapixels, it’s more complicated than that. Yet, when you look at the quality coming from most modern smart phones it makes you wonder if you really need a separate camera these days.

To read more on the subject, check out Scott Bourne’s blog post yesterday as he questions if compact cameras will survive.

All of this is important to sportsmen because many of us like to carry a small camera with us when we head outdoors. Furthermore, although some like to leave their phones at home for the peace and quiet…I’m guessing more and more sportsmen also like the security of having a phone with them whether in the woods or on some lake.

The point I’m trying to make is it’s time we take a closer look at our phones and consider their capability as a photographic tool. If you’re in the market for a new phone…well, it might be worth spending $100 more for a phone featuring better photographic qualities to capture all those precious memories outdoors.

Deer hunters gather after the morning hunt.

Our cell phones are almost always close by and ready to use in a moment’s notice. That can’t always be said about a camera that may have been forgotten back at the cabin or in the truck when you need it most.

Perhaps my old drinking buddy during that one particular night was correct. For many people that “someday” has already arrived and their phone happens to be all the camera they need. Technology just continues to amaze me as products keep getting better and better. I’ve said it before…we are living during some exciting times as we watch the world evolve so quickly.

Trapper Todd shows a set that previously held a coyote.

A coyote that got fooled by a dirt hole set.

Filed under: Gear | Leave a Comment »

SHOT Show 2012: After Hours-It’s Time To Eat In Vegas

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Okay, I know this blog posting has absolutely nothing to do with the outdoors, hunting or fishing. But as a public service to my fellow gastronomically challenged peers heading to the SHOT Show in one week, here’s a listing of some recommended Las Vegas dining establishments you might want to check out. Much of this list was compiled courtesy of Gayot.com, while bits and pieces were also distilled from other sources on the web, as well as my past personal experiences.

Aside from seeing all the great products at the tradeshow, one of the other important elements of SHOT is winding down after a long, productive day. Thankfully, Las Vegas has a multitude of great dining and lounging experiences to finish out the perfect day.

If you have any additional suggestions on other great places to try out, please leave them in the comments section below. Otherwise, enjoy the list.

Top Las Vegas Buffets

1. The Buffet, The Bellagio

2. The Buffet, Wynn Las Vegas

3. Carnival World Buffet, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino

4. Cravings, The Mirage

5. Feast Buffet, Green Valley Ranch Casino

6. Flavors Buffet, Harrah’s Las Vegas

7. Le Village Buffet, Paris Las Vegas

8. Spice Market Buffet, Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino

9. The Buffet, CityCenter

10. Wicked Spoon Buffet, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Value Dining (Cheap Eats)

1. BLT Burger (Burgers) The Mirage

2. Earl of Sandwich (Sandwiches) Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

3. ‘wichcraft (Sandwiches) MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

4. Ports O’ Call Buffet (Buffet) Gold Coast Hotel & Casino

5. In-N-Out Burger (Fast Food) 4888 Dean Martin Dr.

6. Buffet at Monte Carlo (Buffet) Monte Carlo Resort & Casino

7. Peppermill Restaurant (Cheap Breakfasts 24 hours) 2985 Las Vegas Blvd.

8. America (American) New York New York Hotel & Casino

9. Dick’s Last Resort (American) Excaliber Hotel & Casino

10. Red, White & Blue (American) Mandalay Bay

New & Notable (Fine Dining)

1. 35 Steaks + Martinis (Steakhouse) Hardrock Hotel & Casino

2. Bacio by Carla Pellegrino (Italian) Tropicana Casino

3. Central Michel Richard (American) Caesars Palace

4. China Poblano (Chinese & Mexican) The Cosmopolitan

5. Comme Ca (French) The Cosmopolitan

6. Fleur by Hubert Keller (Eclectic) Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

7. La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway (American) Wynn Las Vegas

8. Ri Ra Irish Pub (Irish) Mandaley Bay Resort & Casino

9. Scarpetta (Italian) The Cosmopolitan

10. STK (Steakhouse) The Cosmopolitan

Filed under: Travel | 1 Comment »

Twitter Holds Exciting Possibilities At SHOT Show 2012

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Let’s face it…if I was to poll my Facebook friends I would guess less than five percent own a Twitter account. Of that dismal number, my guess is even a smaller percentage really understand the social media concept of “tweeting,” “following” and as far as “hashtags” go—let’s not even start that discussion.

But it’s such a shame. Twitter is an awesome social media tool that has possibilities reaching far beyond our current imaginations. And few places or events have the necessary ingredients to maximize the effectiveness of Twitter than at the annual SHOT Show where thousands of exhibitors, dealers, manufacturer reps and media converge.

Certainly the only event that comes to mind as having better exposure for Twitter than SHOT is the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) also held in Vegas. Not only does this show attract the so-called geeks that would obviously have a stronger affinity to use this technology, but CES annually itself attracts nearly 150,000 people to the Las Vegas Convention Center. In fact, just registered media alone typically attracts three times as many media individuals as does SHOT. (side note: CES begins its annual show this week—one week before SHOT in 2012)

But my intent is not to compare numbers between SHOT and CES, per se. Each event stands largely on its own. Yet, if you look at a typical list of names who use Twitter at the CES it’s pretty impressive. Consider this list of nearly 500 tweetin’ individuals compared to the overall attendance at CES and it still represents a number less than one percent of total attendance. The point is there’s plenty of room to grow and for those people who have invested in learning, understanding and using Twitter, their pay-back potential can be huge.

Times Are A Changin’

Back during the fall of 2009 my very first tweet consisted of announcing what I was cooking the family for supper on the grill. Yeah, I know, rather boring I agree. But then several months later, and still a newbie at this Twitter game, I tried to connect with people at the 2010 SHOT Show on a more professional level. As I recall, there might have been, at best, 30 or 40 of us tweetin’ fools talking about the show that year.

Then, in 2011, I saw the number increase substantially. If I was to render a guess, I would say there were approximately 200 people talking about the 2011 SHOT Show and using the #SHOTshow hashtag. Now, that’s not to say more people might not have talked about the show last year…but if the hashtag doesn’t get used within their tweets they have virtually no readership, but for their followers.

This year I can already tell things are going to be much different at SHOT…and I dare say exciting for those of us who thrive using Twitter. The hype over this year’s show began several weeks ago on Twitter and I have to believe it will crescendo into raw excitement by the time the show finally opens its doors next week.

Honestly, if you are new to Twitter I can’t teach you how to be savvy using the social media forum within a single blog posting. Yet, that’s one of the great things about Twitter. People need to understand that you can learn and discover what people are saying on Twitter even if you don’t want to actively participate.

Over the next week or so readers with limited experience using Twitter should remember this link: #SHOTShow (note: if this link doesn’t work on one browser, try a different one) By clicking, it will provide you an opportunity to eavesdrop on what those of us are actively doing, saying and experiencing while at SHOT 2012. By reading our tweets I hope it eventually inspires greater participation in this social media forum to discuss important matters about hunting, shooting, etc. Seriously, the learning curve for using Twitter is not that great to overcome.

As always, if you want to follow just what I am saying on Twitter, or perhaps you want to connect and follow me, you can use the following link: www.Twitter.com/jim7226 I promise, now 2 1/2 years into this Twitter experiment, occasionally my tweets get a bit more exciting than announcing what I’m planning to eat for supper.

Tags: SHOT+Show, Twitter

Filed under: Current Outdoor Issues, Events, Web/Tech | 3 Comments »

Minnesota DNR Shuns My Media Access Request

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Blog readers please excuse this brief rant. What it comes down to is my state’s DNR that holds an annual meeting to discuss fishing and hunting resources/management matters. Hundreds of the state’s most influential policymakers are INVITED to attend this 2-day conference to discuss concerns, management principles and essentially every aspect of the future of what us sportsmen enjoy in this state.

Several months back I mailed a handwritten note to the Minnesota DNR’s Chris Niskanen, Communications Director, Office of Communication and Outreach requesting to be included in these annual roundtable meetings. I shared with him my credentials along with my interest in reporting on the event through social media (Twitter, Facebook and blogging).

Well, you probably guessed it…Niskanen took NO ACTION on my request. Today, in fact, kicks off Day 2 of the event and once again a meeting which should be reported on by any means possible given the importance, was apparently only limited to selected “stakeholders” and traditional media outlets by invitation.

I guess what disappoints me the most is making an official request to a top official in the Office of Communication and Outreach and subsequently receiving NO COMMUNICATION in return. Perhaps they had some concerns such as space limitations, etc. which prevented the DNR extending me an invite…but to receive no response whatsoever is just plain rude, not to mention unprofessional.

On top of that, Niskanen came to the Minnesota DNR by leaving his outdoors writer job at the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper. During his tenure at the newspaper he even wrote occasional blog postings so you would think he would have some greater appreciation of the efforts I have been doing with this blog for nearly 8 years running.

What I have been talking about here details my frustrations with the Minnesota DNR. Yet, I suspect even in this quickly-evolving world where media is changing almost daily…there remains many in government—no matter what state—that just don’t get it. It’s not just happening in Minnesota, I’m sure.

And the problem is you can tell these DNR folks what they need to be doing and my experience has shown it usually falls on deaf ears. What a shame! For example, since 2010 I’ve been pushing for the state’s hunting and fishing regulations to be available in a smartphone friendly version…but again, you guessed it. They seem set in their ways to embrace the old and not to make changes that seem sensible on all levels.

In closing, I’m going to say this. I was willing to give up my time and make the effort necessary to learn more about my states’s DNR so I can better understand, for my communication endeavors, the dynamics of why they make the decisions they do. More importantly, I wanted to share with my network of social media readers all the important news that should be streaming from the 2012 Minnesota DNR Roundtable meetings.

Instead, I’m sitting home here on my birthday planning out how I will spend a much different day. And that’s okay…because my main goal of this posting is to expose just how out-of-touch the Minnesota DNR remains with those of us attempting to drive the social media communication effort.

Filed under: Department of Natural Resources, Outdoor Media (TV/Newspaper/Radio), Weblogs | 3 Comments »

FRIDAY FUNNY: Ole And Lena On Thin Ice

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Ole & Lena lived by a lake in Nordern Minnesota. It vas early vinter and da lake had yust froze over.

Ole asked Lena if she vould valk across da frozen lake to da yeneral store to get him some smokes. She asked him for some money, but he told her, “Nah, yust put it on our tab.”

So Lena valked across, got the smokes at da yeneral store, den walked back home across the lake. Ven she got home and gave Ole his smokes, she asked him, “Ole, you alvays tell me not to run up da tab at da store. Why didn’t you yust give me some money?”

Ole replied, “Vell, I didn’t vant to send you out dere vit some money ven I vasn’t sure how tick the ice vas yet.”

Oh, by the way…this is how all of us Scandinavians up here in da nort country speak. Uffda!!

Filed under: Humor | Leave a Comment »

Sage Advice To Achieve Increased Life Satisfaction

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Several years ago a close friend gave me some sage advice. At the time I really didn’t want to hear it. In fact, my depth of understanding what it meant probably didn’t resonate with me at the time…yet, I never forgot those words. Now, the older I get…I find myself sharing these same words with others in my life.

What my friend wisely explained to me was — “Jim, don’t compare your insides with other people’s outsides.”

You know, when you’re in your 20s and still rather fresh out of college this sort of wisdom just doesn’t gain any traction to make complete sense. Nevertheless, I respected the person who uttered that statement so much I never forgot them…and you know what? The older I got the greater clarity the meaning behind those words would take on in my head.

Let’s put this into the proper sportsman’s context. Do you ever find yourself looking out across the street and admiring your neighbor’s new boat parked there in the driveway? Seriously, have you wondered either silently or perhaps even aloud…”Wow, how does he afford it? Does his career pay that well?”

As you turn and walk back into your garage it’s human nature to examine your life and wonder what are you doing wrong if life hasn’t treated you with the same kind of perks. Oh, yeah, it’s easy to let those sort of material goods owned by another individual to begin playing mind games in your head.

Perhaps another example is in order. Today it’s so easy to turn on TV and watch one of the cable channels offering non-stop outdoor programming showing success after outdoor success. Within 30 minutes this show host might be showing how he/she got their turkey grand slam seemingly effortlessly, while during the next half-hour another show host vividly details how he killed a Pope and Young class elk. Eventually you click the TV remote to off and you sit there wondering…”what am I doing wrong?”

The point is we all need to remind ourselves not to get caught up by comparing how we feel about our life with the lives of others. Sure, that can be easier said than done…I know that. But the truth of the matter is you don’t know how far in debt that boat purchase pushed that neighbor. Their life might be downright miserable because money issues are now creating all sorts of family squabbles and life sacrifices. On the outside it might look like they’re living a charmed life…but I can almost assure you that seeing a nice, new, shiny boat sitting in someone’s front yard is not necessarily a tell-tale sign of life success or family bliss.

Same goes for the high-profile hunter who kills more trophies during one season than most hunters will take during their lifetime spent in the woods. Is it justified to be a bit envious? You bet!! Is it fair to judge your weekend results with a person who spends their entire fall bouncing from one hunting lodge to another? Well, hell no!! The truth is it’s important to observe another person’s apparent success, but keep a proper perspective in mind when examining your own life.

Getting back to those sage words my friend once told me. Don’t get down on yourself because you can’t keep pace with your neighbors. And for heaven’s sakes a person who can’t seem to fill that empty space on their wall with a trophy mount has to realize that what they’re watching on TV is an extraordinary experience with lots of editing and assistance by seasoned hunting guides, etc.

Let’s be fair to ourselves. The outdoors is not a competition to see who can have the nicest equipment or to bring home the most impressive jaw-dropping trophies. Sometimes it takes a bit of maturity to finally come to this realization. I can assure you…the sportsman who impresses me the most are the ones who cherish what they have in life and keep it real. After all, it’s the point of getting beyond making comparisons with your life that allows a person to finally achieve the deepest level of personal satisfaction possible.

Filed under: General Outdoor Topics | 1 Comment »

So, What’s This SHOT Show All About?

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Jim Braaten

First off, let me say that for everything OFFICIAL you’ll need to discover about the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show I must direct you HERE.

Now, for the “unofficial” take on this extravaganza. Let me tell you…the gathering is truly like no other on the planet. Oh, I’ve heard foolish people talk about going to this sportsman’s show or that convention…but I guarantee that every event of its kind pales in comparison to SHOT. In fact, as far as commercial trade shows go…the SHOT Show has grown to become the 13th largest North American trade show, according to Trade Show Week magazine back in 2009. That means hunting, tactical and the firearms industry is very big business.

Another interesting fact is during SHOT’s 34 year existence, Las Vegas has hosted nearly half of all shows with other notable venue cities being: Dallas, New Orleans, Orlando, Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco and St. Louis. That being said, seven of the past ten venues have been in Vegas and both the 2013 and 2014 shows are scheduled for Vegas, as well.

The SHOT Show floor is always a busy place.

Okay, enough statistics and background. What I don’t think many people fully grasp is how SHOT is a trade show and the public is restricted from attending. I so often hear people say something like, “one of these years I have to go to the SHOT Show.” Good luck with that! Several years ago you might have been able to pull that off…but not anymore. The National Shooting Sports Foundation who owns SHOT has gone to great lengths to ensure only bona fide trade attendees gain access. This became especially noticeable last year as security in the registration process ramped up making it necessary to prove credentials to gain show access.

Think about it. The exhibitors want a qualified audience of buyers, industry reps and media to maximize their time and benefit from the show. They don’t need hallways filled with gawkers there only for their own personal interest. I hand it to SHOT, doing a better job regulating who can attend ultimately ends of benefiting all qualified attendees. So, not to burst any bubbles here…but if you want to someday attend SHOT you will then need to somehow become part of the trade industry in which the show caters to.

The enormity of SHOT is too difficult to comprehend without pictures.

My first SHOT Show was back in 1989 when it was held in Dallas, Texas. To this day I remember my reaction walking into the exhibit hall for the first time. My eyes grew big…my heart pounded a bit faster…my palms got sweaty…and the emotion I had to fend off was feeling totally overwhelmed. The best way to equate walking into SHOT is like a kid walking into a large candy store. In so many ways if your passion is hunting and the shooting sports THIS IS YOUR HEAVEN!!

During the course of the four days the show runs you’ll see more equipment than a person could ever comprehend is made for the industry. Consider this. You’ve probably seen how Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops’ master catalogs are several inches thick. Well, now consider that really only the cream of the crop of outdoor products usually appears for sale by these retailers. In other words, SHOT is everything the shooting and hunting industry represents. From the small 10’ booth selling a specialty gizmo you may never see marketed by the big retailers to the large expansive booths by brands well known by everyone in the hunting community…SHOT has them all.

And that being said…if you’re serious about making a living within the hunting or shooting industry I truly do not know how you can skip attending SHOT. If you’re a dealer it’s imperative to check out the new products and to pre-order goods at special low SHOT Show pricing. If you’re an industry rep…the networking and contacts you will make are basically all in one place waiting for the connection. If you’re media…whoa! Networking with peers, discovering new story angles, reporting on the latest products, and yes…even marketing yourself to editorial buyers who expect to see you there if you’re a legitimate player in the outdoors industry.

Ah, yes…the good ol’ SHOT Show. If ever there was a heaven on earth for those of us with a passion for hunting and shooting it would have to be at this show. Every year I think four days is plenty of time to navigate the show…then I realize how in reality there is just too much to do and see that no amount of time is truly adequate. If you’re a person working behind the booth as an exhibitor…then day four perhaps seems like an eternity away. Yet, for those of us walking the isles trying to see as much as we can and meet the contacts we’ve scheduled to connect with…well, there’s just never enough time to visit all 1,600+ exhibitors in attendance.

Showing "Media Day At The Range" held the day before SHOT officially opens.

Indeed, the SHOT Show is a spectacle that deserves to be experienced in-person by everyone. And while that’s not possible for the reasons I’ve already explained…most readers of this blog must rely on us poor media hacks to report on what we are discovering at the show.

During upcoming blog posts leading up to the January 17^th opening of SHOT, I’ll be blogging on various topics to provide more background on how this show requires special preparation. In the meantime, if you have any questions about SHOT please don’t hesitate to ask.

Tags: SHOT+Show

Filed under: Current Outdoor Issues, Events | 1 Comment »

Sharing The Reader LOVE

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Jim Braaten

It’s no secret how sometimes in this world where we hunt, fish and trap there are folks who vehemently oppose what we do. This I understand and I attempt to be tolerant of the fact they see things differently than I do. And on occasion those of us who communicate the sporting experience get hate mail. Mostly, it’s just some innocuous drivel where the sender is trying to vent by getting some issue off their chest.

Yesterday, I received such a comment, and while I don’t often share them, I think occasionally we can learn something from their communication effort. In this case it was a comment made to a blog I posted back in 2009 where I made mention how ammunition prices could be rising due to the precious metals market at the time. Enjoy the read:

“Sir, with all due respect, i hate you. I hate you and everything you stand for. The NRA is nothing but a band of war criminals. I wish my Earth Mother Godess would smite the world of all weapons and bullets that kill her children. I pray your bullets become as expensive as diamond so you cannot use your weapons to shatter poor mother earths crust ever again.” ~Love Peacehope

This sender claimed to use an address from a major animal rights organization, but I was not able to verify the source. Yet, that really doesn’t matter. And quite honestly, when I receive content like this the person spewing forth such hatred really doesn’t matter. More importantly, the name they used Love Peacehope is totally a misnomer given the vile words they attempted to communicate.

So, why even give this person any recognition whatsoever in this blog? Well, I considered hitting the “delete” button more than once. Quite frankly, it is apparent the two of us would never see eye-to-eye on such matters. But the more I thought about things I do see some value in such commentary opposing what we talk about on this blog. Will or could it ever change the way I think…HELL NO! Perhaps quite the opposite as it strengthens my resolve to continue my sportsman ways.

Yet, even when people so harshly oppose the very core of what you believe in and do as a person it makes me do some introspection to further cement my personal beliefs. In my heart of hearts I know which one of us is misguided on this matter. When I carry out my sporting traditions ethically and with great care I absolutely find no dishonor in my actions. Furthermore, I can establish with the utmost certainty how the money I’ve spent on license fees, Pittman-Robertson taxes, and charitable donations to conservation organizations have done great things for wildlife that even Ms. Love Peacehope can now enjoy.

In closing, here is what I say to folks who might take issue with this blog and leave comments similar to the one above. I always listen to you. I have great tolerance for you even when you say despicable things that might sometimes threaten me or even my family. I will never hide in fear behind silly names because I am not a coward.

And quite honestly why should I be fearful. I took my own advice back in 2009 purchasing plenty of ammunition to supply my firearms for some time to come. Oh, and by the way…the next time you care to leave a comment on this blog sign your REAL NAME and constructively add to the discussion or you can expect a quick “delete.”

Filed under: Current Outdoor Issues | 1 Comment »

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Random Thoughts On The 2012 SHOT Show

Photo Blog: Fishing Above & Below The Ice

Growing Impressed With The Quality Of Today’s Camera-Phones

SHOT Show 2012: After Hours-It’s Time To Eat In Vegas

Twitter Holds Exciting Possibilities At SHOT Show 2012

Minnesota DNR Shuns My Media Access Request

FRIDAY FUNNY: Ole And Lena On Thin Ice

Sage Advice To Achieve Increased Life Satisfaction

So, What’s This SHOT Show All About?

Sharing The Reader LOVE

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