This is in response to the article that C. Orlet wrote on the The American Spectator. This has become the recent challenge put forth by Kristine at Outdoor Bloggers Summit. A very good challenge and I am looking forward to reading what my fellow bloggers have to say too. After reading the comments that followed the article I have a pretty good idea what will be written. To read the article (if you really want to, click on his name above).
The article was offensive to everyone who enjoys the outdoors. The article was also done in poor taste, be it a stab at humor which I doubt nor from first hand experience. If this individual is a hunter I am glad he doesn't live and hunt in my state. I would be scared to be anywhere near when he says, "men need to have a gun in one hand and a beer in the other". WHOA, not good judgement there. Ever hear of Hunter's Education classes? I don't think Mr. Orlet has a Hunter's Ed. card, do you? For that matter does he even have common sense? I know, a rhetorical question. Continuing on let me say that the article was one that creates division among all people, not just those of us who enjoy the outdoors. To say in this day and age that a woman does not belong in the "blood sports" and that such places are reserved for "man's primitave instincts to kick in" is totally absurd. It really makes me want to up chuck on him directly.
I choose to not go through the above mentioned offensive article line by line disproving the writers beliefs. When I am more inclined to surround myself with like minded individuals who are open minded and enjoy being with women in the shooting sports, fishing or whatever activity they choose to embark upon in the great outdoors. As I have written about before and will mention again is, how fortunate I am to have been raised by parents who supported and encouraged me in whatever activity I showed an interest, regardless of social norms related to gender specificity. I am a woman, I am a woodworker who builds custom furniture employing the old methods of using chisels and mallets, I am a competent fly fisherman and accomplished hunter. I can lay in a ground blind for hours in single digit weather and I can pursue waterfowl with recently a torn knee ligament. Don't talk to me about breaking a fingernail because you sorely underestimate what we women are truly made of. Shall I mention child birth, does that clue you in at all? I make no apologies for who I am or what I enjoy doing. I am appreciative of the men in my life who are secure in knowing who they are, and that my presence does not make them want to act out like Mr. Orlet. Some days they out shoot me and other days I them. We do not keep score, yet we remember the good times we shared.
I doubt Mr.Orlet spends much time if any with women and that is certainly his loss. In a time when the hunting industry is being attacked by anti hunting groups we don't need a so called hunter damning his own. We need to pull together as a group of individuals who enjoy the outdoors in whatever way it is that you do so. When we as a nation can respect each others differences and still find common ground as people, then we will be moving in the right direction. Creating more separatism and division amongst ourselves is not progress.
Suffice it to say that I am thankful to be me and to have the quality friends that I do. I do not want to continue to give mention to such a discriminatory, offensive article and rather choose to support endeavors where I can contribute in a positive manner. I was thrilled to read the comments as to how outraged 90% of my fellow bloggers were. Seems there are going to be a few bad apples in very bunch, and just when I thought we were making some progress too. I hope he goes back under his rock with his jug of Wild Turkey, please! Case closed.
Women's Hunting Journal Integrity For The Hunt
16 comments:
I'm glad to see that so many folks are taking up the Outdoor Bloggers Summit challenge.
Every time one troglodyte like Orlet spouts off, it takes thousands of us to put it right, if we ever can.
Together, we will persevere.
Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
Proud Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit
Southeast Regional OBS Coordinator
Well written, Terry... I wish he would have stayed under that rock of his too...
Great article! I really like your point about pigs like this that are giving hunting and other outdoor pursuits a black eye. Hopefully he'll find other things to occupy his time and we can leave him behind.
Great job, Terry. The best way to refute that article is to have female hunters like yourself tell the real story. We need to let everyone know that idiots like the one who wrote that article are in the minority.
Thank you all for your comments.
I trust that we have educated those that needed it regarding women and the outdoors.
Good blog Terry, I wander of Mr. Orlet feels he has a voodoo doll out there somewhere.
I admire fly fisherman who stand in the middle of a stream with snow coming down and duck and goose hunters who will lay in a frozen ground blind for hours. Excuse the term, but I'm not man enough to do that.
Thanks for the visit Gary! As for Mr. Orlet I like your thoughts of a voodoo doll.
And sometimes I wonder of myself when I lay in a ground blind for endless hours or have to dip my fly rod in the water to clear the ice from the guides. I'll tell you one thing about those two endeavors,is that it sure cuts out the rif raf! Much like you and Sue winter Elk hunting, ya know what I mean?
Amen Terry! You're preaching to the choir as far as I'm concerned! We need to stick together in these times!
Nice job on the post Terry that says it all.
Shawn and Rick, thanks for your comments. Yes we do need to stick together and be inclusive of others, to the contrary of Mr. Orlets perspective.
Great post Terry... I really appretiated your statement, that you and your fellow male hunters don't keep score, you just have a good time together...no one trying to prove something to the other.
I've never bird hunted of any kind... I'm with Gary... not too sure I have what it takes!... but you never know unless you try!Perhaps we should give it a try!
Suzee, I think you might like bird hunting. There are some that are early Fall and mild weather. Grouse, Quail, Chucker and Dove to name a few. All are excellent table fare as well.
Way to go Terry. What a terrific post filled with great insight.
Well said Terry - We all need to stand together to make a point. You made it perfectly clear with your post!
Well said.
The only downside of this Challenge has been the publicity that Orlet received. "Any advertising is good."
I enjoyed reading your views.
TTFN
Dennis you are so right about the attention even in a negative light. I was certainly in a quandry for just that reason about writing anything that referred to him.
Thanks for your thoughts and the visit.
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