| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 5:27:10 PM | In this liberalized society, where the public school system has been teaching for 20+ yrs. that gun ownership is inherently bad, hunting is cruel, etc., are there ANY women who favor a man who enjoys these things?
I am not speaking of the Rambo's, the Bubba's, or the assorted idiots who shoot highway signs and litter. I am speaking of men who respect the animals they hunt, love the outdoors, and are true convervationists.
What, if anything could a guy do to portray these things in a more positive light?
Thanks in advance for your opinions! | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 6:33:47 PM |
I am speaking of men who respect the animals they hunt, love the outdoors, and are true convervationists. You just portrayed it in a positive light.
However, you left out:
1) "I only shoot animals that destroy the wildlife if they are not periodically culled, like foxes in the UK."
2) "I only shoot animals in a purely humane way, and never go fox-hunting, badger-baiting, or anything else. If I shoot an animal and don't kill it right in the first shot, I make sure to shoot it dead to put it out of its misery."
Might help if people knew you were not malicious, and only did it to protect the environment. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 6:38:33 PM | I can't speak for all women, but gun ownership is fine with me, and I enjoy shooting. I don't really like hunting and fishing myself but don't have a problem with those who do, as long as they do so within the limits of the law and common sense.
I DO dislike cleaning game. Men who have contacted me in the past who were hunters--and noted that I don't have a problem with guns or hunting--ultimately seemed to need someone willing to clean game for them. That would not be me. You kill it, you dress it--period.
As for what you can do to portray your interests in a more positive light--I don't know. As another person has mentioned in this thread already: If they are not going to appreciate these things about you anyway, why would you want to attract them in the first place?
I hope this was helpful! xoxo | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 6:41:23 PM | | Although I grew up around guns (my Dad even gave my Mom a Winchester rifle for Valentine's Day one year, but that's another story altogether), and my Dad hunted, I do not like them anywhere near me. If a guy admits to carrying one on his person or in his car, and he isn't required to do so for his job (e.g., law enforcement), I don't foresee a scenario where I would be ok with it. I wouldn't want one in my home either. There may be an outdoorsman/conservationist/sportman/collector with whom I might be comfortable, but I've never had to test it. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 6:52:56 PM |
What, if anything could a guy do to portray these things in a more positive light?
I'm not a woman, but I've taken loads of my liberal friends to ranges, many women included. They all seem to be surprised how many geeky guys there are at the bench-rest positions with their notebooks trying to find the magical load that works the best for their rifles. Most folks I take are also quite surprised at how hard it is to hit the 10-ring, and how Zen shooting really is. The calmest (and often the shyest) always seem to do the best. Ironically this is usually the people that think they would hate shooting the most. Winning people over to the joys of loud, slightly destructive activities doesn't seem that hard. I think you just need to wait till they trust you to broach the subject though.
As for hunting, wouldn't know how to convince women to accept that. Never tried hunting. Maybe if you handed a rifle to a woman after a deer ate her favorite rose bush she would get into the spirit of things? ;-)
(just joking!) | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 6:55:20 PM | There are definitely women who enjoy these things, but they are a rare breed I have found.
I would add, probably stay away from singles meets that involve the word "vegan". | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 6:56:31 PM | As someone who has both grown up in public schools and begun working in them in the last 20+ years... I have difficulty seeing how they've taught that gun ownership is bad or that hunting is cruel.
I'm a liberal minded person... but I don't see anything wrong with either. (Though they're not my cup of tea.)
I've never had any of my teachers claim that they were negative, and I've never observed anyone (professionally) who has claimed it in their classrooms.
You could argue that some sections of main stream culture have made a large group of normal people out to be the Rambo's, Bubba's, and assorted idiots that you've mentioned... but I grow weary of people who blame public schooling for holistic societal problems... and it makes me wary of the entire conversation.
Just a thought. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 7:41:44 PM | I am a kind, loving and giving person. I believe in mercy and compassion (especially for the powerless).
I wouldn't date a hunter because (regardless of the excuses they make) I believe them to be innately cruel, as as such, undeserving of a person like me.
Face it, if you go out murdering (and causing torment and suffering in) others, there's something brutal, callous and lacking in you. There's no 'rationalizing' your way around it, you're not Neanderthal. And BTW, there's no difference between you and bubba, and if you truly 'enjoy' this, you're sick in the head. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 7:55:21 PM | Personally I have no problems with hunting or guns, etc. And the only example of the issue being negative that I know of is this:
A female friend I had some time ago was married to a man who loved hunting/fishing. With a gun, bow hunting, all of it. She appreciated his hobby, and wanted him to enjoy what he loved doing - except he ended up doing it constantly. He'd be away on trips with the guys more often than not everytime he had a vacation come up or whenever he had some extra days to do what he wanted.
Basically, his hobbies took all his free time - she got very very little of that time. I knew them for years and I can honestly say she was extremely patient and understanding about it - but he really did take it too far. When a hobby, or activity ranks higher than your spouse, there's going to be a problem. Period. Yeah , yeah, they did the talking and trying to work it out thing - but the situation never did change. Until she got tired of being left alone everytime he had time off. They ended up divorced - what a surprise huh?
So... although I've never been involved with someone who was quite that into it, of the men I've known pretty well who are hunters, some keep it in perspective, others don't. It'd probably be cool for you if you found somebody who'd actually like to do it with you. Unless, of course, you're one of those hunters that think women don't fit into that type of activity. Other than finding a woman who doesn't think you're a murderer for killing Bambie lol, I think all you'd have to do is make sure you don't make it the most important thing in your life. Know what I mean? Find one who really likes venison lol
Good luck. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 8:00:13 PM |
Face it, if you go out murdering (and causing torment and suffering in) others, there's something brutal, callous and lacking in you. There's no 'rationalizing' your way around it, you're not Neanderthal. And BTW, there's no difference between you and bubba, and if you truly 'enjoy' this, you're sick in the head.
So I take it a date plinking at the range followed by a medium-rare fillet mignon and a nice Petite Sirah is out of the question? | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 8:01:01 PM | Oy....
I'm all for vegetarianism... but I'm a carnivore. The fact is that a lot of hunting is more humane than the factory farming system that provides us with food. Couple that with the animal populations in some areas being overly large, and it can be necessary. A report I read the other day that stated the odds of hitting a deer while driving in West Virginia are 1 in 57. Often they suffer more when hit on the roads than they probably would when shot. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 8:23:23 PM | I honestly understand the lifestyle, and appreciate that most hunters eat what they catch, etc.
I just don't have the desire to be exposed to it. I don't have the stomach or the heart for killing or witnessing it. It's not so much a "turn off" as it is a personal choice. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 8:55:29 PM | It is true that I left out the safety aspect of this. Of course, the guns are locked separately from the ammunition. And, there is education for everyone in the home about this subject.
On the subject of it becoming an obsession, one must keep a perspective. Therefore, I would ask how many days/ hours/ weeks per year does a woman spend shopping? The time I spend hunting amounts to roughly 15 days/ yr when you consider prep time, travel , etc. Now honestly, how can that come close to comparing to the continual shopping addiction that seems so prevalent?
And, while I would never want to attract someone opposed to my activities, there are ways to present this in a more positive light. Maybe the paragraph above this one destroys that intention.
Finally, if, after hunting for years, I happen to harvest an exceptionally nice animal, it WILL be mounted. However, it won't be mounted on "her" walls. It will be mounted on "my" wall- namely the den or study. If this proved too offensive, then  | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 9:03:46 PM | .
Actually, I’d much rather play with the wild critters than kill them. But then, I’m not a bit hungry and don’t really like the taste of wild game meat, anyway. I’ve brought home a lot of meat from the woods in my younger days but lately I’d rather shoot them with a camera -- and see how many I can get to come close enough to feed.
However, fish are an entirely different story. I like to eat them and, as time allows, am filling up my freezer for winter.
Even so, I still went out with the guys to practice with the long rifles. I probably own more than my share of guns, but part of that was because I used to enjoy competition shooting with handguns.
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 9:38:51 PM | Just a response to the issue of hunting time vs. shopping time. To shop you generally do not have to take time off work, this can be done on weekend and days that are already holidays. Hunting is usually done over several days and time will have to be taken off work. Most employers will only allow employees to take a certain number of vacation days. Once you exceed that limit they will generall not allow you to take more or you will recieve some sort of financial penalty for doing so or you will have to work a great deal of over time, without pay, to make up for the time you missed. When you only have 2 weeks holidays and spend the entire time planning your trip and actually hunting, that doesn't leave any time for a family vacation. Shopping still leaves time for this, unless it is a true obessesion and she takes her two weeks to go shopping and doesn't leave any time for a family vacation. Then in my opinion she has a problem.
I personally don't like hunting and guns, but it would be something I may be able to compromise on. For example, extreme gun safety (guns and ammunition being locked up very securely and separate from each other) and a limited amount of time spent hunting (like if you get two weeks vacation, one week can be spent on hunting and hunting related activites, but the other week has to be devoted to family). I also absolutely refuse to have anything to do with buchering any animals killed or skinning them or anything like that. The skin and head can come into the house once they have been properly preserved or stuffed or whatever and so can the meat once the meat looks more like something I could buy at the grocery store. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 9:46:32 PM | ~OP~ My ex is a professional hunting guide. We owned an archery business at one time in our marriage. I did my share of duck blinds, antelope blinds, sitting in tree stands, packing bear bait and yes, the dreaded wild game cooking (which had to be done outside on the grill, the smell was wretched.) I have NO issue with hunters in general, I have my own gun(s) ~ but I will NEVER again date an avid hunter. With some it's like alcohol, drugs or gambling. I lived it, it was horrific. I didn't even mind the dead heads on the walls, many were stunning and considered art by some ~ the reality is: there is a lifestyle and mindset that goes with that situation I refuse to indulge in again. My ex was clearly born a century too late, as it is his element and he is an amazing outdoorsman in all regards. The truth is ~ it's not my bag. I can think of at least 100 things better to do with my time, my energy, my money and I can think of thousands of things more appetizing than wild game of any form. I respect other's opinions, I respect the rights of others to enjoy the hunt, the meat and the overall persona ~ but for me ~ absolutely NEVER again. JMO  | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 10:15:53 PM | | My name is T. and I am an Elkaholic.I love elk meat! And I have gone hunting a few times but I was just in it for the brandy really...it gets dang cold around hunting season.Oh and I have to stay quiet what fun is that? | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 10:42:20 PM | What, if anything could a guy do to portray these things in a more positive light?
Tell her you'd like to give her an ole' fashioned pistol whippin ...
but she's gotta drop her drawers first.
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 10:57:35 PM | | Haven't you heard? It's all over the news. The Department of Natural Resources is concerned that hunting is dying out as an American Past-time. Turns out that when you take humans out of the equation when dealing with nature there can be some pretty undesirable consequences. Namely there's no-one left to fit the bill for wildlife conservation. So now you can tell her it's your patriotic duty. Uncle Sam needs you to hunt. | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/29/2007 11:11:40 PM | ****Yeah,*** I think many would and thats*** just the way it is.... ***Not me though!. One of my great fathers was an actual poster boy for N*A. I like plinking, I go target shooting, I got my first short gun when I was 6 yrs old.
Still, don't care for trapping or "baiting' one bit.....too dirty,sneaky...... | |
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| Are guns/ hunting a turn off for most women?
Posted: 10/30/2007 12:07:26 AM | | Absoloutly not! I like and own guns. I taught my three sons too shoot starting at age four. They hunter saftey trained at age nine and scored 97 & 98% on their tests. I trained in law enforcement with guns as well. Lived off game off and on all my life. I am intending on taking a bear in the next five years. I adore the fur trading rendevous in Wyoming yearly! I buy skins there and they are all over the house. I love guns! Believe it or not there is much to be said for an armed citizenry. | |
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