(I-Newswire) - On a local Minnesota fishing website, many fishermen are expressing their outrage at PETA’s aggressive anti-fishing campaign. In response to recent posts on My Fishing Pals' message forum ( www.myfishingpals.com ), anglers from across Minnesota are showing a united front against the efforts of PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other animal rights groups are aggressively attempting to inhibit all hunting and fishing in Minnesota and other states. These groups are intently focusing their attack on sport fishing, a traditional Minnesota pastime. PETA's message is that recreational anglers cause extreme and needless pain to fish and bait. Their agenda is to heighten the public's awareness to the killing of any fish or animal. In addition, they desire to promote animal rights at the grassroots level, spreading awareness in communities and making sure their message is visible and heard.
To spread their animal rights agenda on a public fishing forum, though, is a slap in the face to all who enjoy hunting and fishing, especially in a state like Minnesota. Known as the “land of 10,000 lakes,” Minnesota offers some of the best hunting and fishing in the nation and these traditions are considered Minnesota’s heritage, recreation, and a vital part of the State’s economy. Regular members of the forum are expressing their rights to hunt and fish and the positive role they play in wildlife management. They are telling PETA to “…go home, we don’t want you here.”
My Fishing Pals ( www.myfishingpals.com ) originated in 2003 as a hobby-fishing site that welcomes Minnesota fishermen to share fishing reports, information, and other items related to fishing. In 2005 a controversial forum was created on the site so that Minnesota fishermen could address fishing and hunting issues. These controversial forums have become an avenue for hunters and fishermen to voice their opinions and concerns and, at times, defend traditional Minnesota values.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I would offer this bit of advice - as I have personally dealt with all of the major 'anti-consumptive outdoor activies groups': Become articulate; Face the opposition head-on; Do NOT run and hide; If you cannot articulate WHY you hunt and fish, then I submit, you need to learn to express it clearly, distinctly and with a professional candor or consider another pasttime.
We are no longer in a time when participants of the consumptive outdoor activities (hunting, fishing, & trapping) can get by on the simplistic, "... I do it 'cause I like it.", mentality. This may be true, but we must learn to express it in scientific and social terms that are supported by proofs that stand-up to critical peer review - not just the next bar stool.
I don't like it that those of us who participate in the consumptive outdoor activities now have to take the 'long road of explanation', but that is the price we are paying for a more 'civilized' society; good, bad and/or ugly. That is just the way it is now. We must either change with the social flow or be run over. And folks, being 'run over' is just what the opposition is looking for.
Roadkill is their objective and we ARE the roadkill.
O'fieldstream
Post a Comment