Hunting/fishing: a sport?

[martyds761]

I don't consider either one a sport, just a leisure activity. Think about it. Sport=man vs. man. Not man hides in bushes waiting for something to come along and eat, then BAM, blow their @ss away. Yeah sounds like a sport to me (sarcasm galore).

[Indiana Sev]

Unless the animal can shoot back, it ain't a sport. Agreed.

[Jerk Shapiro]

Hunting may not be, but fishing sure as hell is. Especially tournament fishing. When you're in a race against the clock, and against other anglers to catch the heaviest bag of fish, it's definitely a sport.

[Moviefan1234]

I'm not a hunter, but I do fish from time to time. That being said, I don't think either are a sport. I'd say a better way to describe them are as hobbies.

[Morgana]

I definitely don't consider hunting a sport since an armed man will always have the advantage over a defenseless animal...it's just not an even or fair match-up. And although there can be competition in fishing, I don't really consider it a sport either. The fish is just something people happen to compete over, they could just as easily make a sport of seeing who can fill up a shopping cart the fastest.

[Jerk Shapiro]

Originally posted by Morgana
And although there can be competition in fishing, I don't really consider it a sport either. The fish is just something people happen to compete over, they could just as easily make a sport of seeing who can fill up a shopping cart the fastest.


But filling up a cart is easy, finding fish is not. You can't see the fish, you don't know where they are. You're just making the best prediction of where they are based on your knowledge of how fish react to certain weather, water clarity, the heat, the cold, current, etc...There's so many factors.

[Morgana]

Originally posted by Jerk Shapiro
But filling up a cart is easy, finding fish is not. You can't see the fish, you don't know where they are. You're just making the best prediction of where they are based on your knowledge of how fish react to certain weather, water clarity, the heat, the cold, current, etc...There's so many factors.

But why do you think this makes fishing a sport? Using my shopping analogy, let's say you can only fill up the cart with specific items, or only items that are on sale. That will immediately involve some strategizing as you will have to know where these items are, or where the sales rack is.

I'm just giving you a hard time, btw. ;) :D

PS I own an aquarium, and I would say I spend an ungodly amount of time observing my fishies' behavior. Very interesting creatures fish are.

[Grebdron]

No, and no.

[Jerk Shapiro]

I agree that hunting isn't a sport. I mean, all you do is sit in a stand or what-not and wait for the animule to come. Not my kind of hunting, where you have to chase your prey, and jump on it for points.

Alas, I'm still the only one who finds fishing to be a sport. Goddammit.

[rupert pupkin]

i would say i do consider angling a sport...it is often competitively participated in...and requires high levels of skill and concentration

not only that...while here in the UK Football (soccer) is often referred to as our national sport....more people fish than play or watch rugby, football and hockey combined

now arent you all glad you know that now

:rolleyes:

[jeo4]

Bow hunting is more physically demanding than hunting with a rifle. It's physically demanding. However, hunting isn't a competition the way fishing tournaments are. So I say fishing is but hunting isn't, really.

[flowrchild]

I don't think hunting or fishing are sports. Rather, they are both inhumane barbaric ways of passing time and congratulating people on their wonderous ability to kill things without the other thing having a chance to fight back. Oooh, the courage.

That being said, I don't think it's wrong to hunt or fish if you need the meat for food. But blowing animals heads off just for the hell of it is morally appalling, in my book.

[Jerk Shapiro]

Originally posted by flowrchild
I don't think hunting or fishing are sports. Rather, they are both inhumane barbaric ways of passing time and congratulating people on their wonderous ability to kill things without the other thing having a chance to fight back. Oooh, the courage.



Actaully - *ahem* - no killing is involved in competitive fishing. In fact, if you bring a dead fish back to the weigh-in, they jump on your ass...

[mikeyD]

I don't think either is a sport. more of a leisure activity.

[flowrchild]

Originally posted by Jerk Shapiro
Actaully - *ahem* - no killing is involved in competitive fishing. In fact, if you bring a dead fish back to the weigh-in, they jump on your ass...

That particular comment was more directed at hunting than fishing. But I think hurting/killing fish for sport is wrong too. I just don't think one person's idea of fun should mean pain and suffering for another, is all.

[Haddonfield]

Originally posted by Jerk Shapiro
Actaully - *ahem* - no killing is involved in competitive fishing. In fact, if you bring a dead fish back to the weigh-in, they jump on your ass...


Tell that to the fish who had a hook go through his head, then pulled out and tossed back into the water.

Dont want to sound like a liberal, cause Im NOT. I just hate the idea of fishing "for fun" people who throw them back.....its bull shite.

You want to fish to eat...go for it. Fact is plenty of people love seafood so there ya go. But I cant stand fishing then throwing them back...its just stupid.

[Haddonfield]

...and what does George Carlin like about hunting?

"The many accidents that happen on the weekends"

again, you want to shoot some animals to eat them...ok...fine. but the macho gun toating NRA card holding dick envy is pointless, outdated, and needless to say cruel.

again, I am in no way a liberal, but I do have this annoying this that tugs at me called sympathy. It takes no skill to point and shoot at something that is just minding its own business.

Sorry Sev...im off my soap box.

[jpman2112]

I'm a bowhunter and i don't think it's a sport but if you think it's easy than you've never done it.Those poor defenseless animals have a superior sense of smell, there eyesight is better and there hearing is radar like.I hunt whitetail deer and before I take a shot at them they have to be within 30 yards.I eat the deer that i hunt. I've bowhunted for 4 years and have only shot 1 deer.Hunting to ME is all about being outdoors and seeing wildlife.Not about killing stuff.If I do shoot a deer it's a bonus but by no means the only reason i'm out there.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by jpman2112
I'm a bowhunter and i don't think it's a sport but if you think it's easy than you've never done it.Those poor defenseless animals have a superior sense of smell, there eyesight is better and there hearing is radar like.I hunt whitetail deer and before I take a shot at them they have to be within 30 yards.I eat the deer that i hunt. I've bowhunted for 4 years and have only shot 1 deer.Hunting to ME is all about being outdoors and seeing wildlife.Not about killing stuff.If I do shoot a deer it's a bonus but by no means the only reason i'm out there.

Why don't you shoot a picture of them? If it's all about the beauty of the wildlife.

"Let us preserve the moment in pictures."

[Haddonfield]

Originally posted by Grebdron
"Let us preserve the moment in pictures."


:D

That was funny.

[jpman2112]

Grebdron are you a vegetarion?If not why don't you go take some pics of cows.I feel sorry for you people that have never hunted.You say you love the animals and the outdoors,but I'm sure you've never really experienced them.I don't have to hunt for food I do it for enjoyment.It's my right as an American citizen.
The closest alot of people come to hunting is watching hunting shows on TV.Let me tell you it is alot more than a half hour TV show.This year alone I probably spent 120 hours trying to find a good spot than trying to have a deer get in close enough to make a shot.I didn't get one but thats not the point for ME.Everyone has there own idea of fun or excitement.Don't try to tell me what I should do.and i won't tell you.

[Haddonfield]

No one is telling anyone what to do, just have a debate on the merits of Hunting.

:)


Carry on...



(get it? carry on?)


:rolleyes:

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by jpman2112
Grebdron are you a vegetarion?If not why don't you go take some pics of cows.I feel sorry for you people that have never hunted.You say you love the animals and the outdoors,but I'm sure you've never really experienced them.I don't have to hunt for food I do it for enjoyment.It's my right as an American citizen.
The closest alot of people come to hunting is watching hunting shows on TV.Let me tell you it is alot more than a half hour TV show.This year alone I probably spent 120 hours trying to find a good spot than trying to have a deer get in close enough to make a shot.I didn't get one but thats not the point for ME.Everyone has there own idea of fun or excitement.Don't try to tell me what I should do.and i won't tell you.

Yes, I've hunted. Even humans. Really. In the Army.

I, however, chose not to kill (the animals) when it came time. And had a hard time eating the cows I have seen slaughtered.

Relax, pally. I'm not trying to tell you how to live. I've got many friends who are hunters.

It just strikes me as slightly hypocritical (and yes, I am a hypocrite, too) to espouse the beauties inherent in nature and wildlife...as seen through the lens of a 100x power rifle scope.

Hunt away, provided you're licensed. But don't try to convert new hunters.

[quoth_the_raven]

I don't hunt and wouldn't save to stave off starvation. I'm not going to defend it either. I don't personally agree with it but thats another story entirely

I do fish, so this is where my defence is going to lie. First off all, I'm not a killing person, I fish for the fun of it, for relaxation. I am a huge advocate of catch and release angling, which is pretty much a standard in the UK. Again, were i starving, it would be a different kettle of fish.

A lot of people seem to be working to the assume that fish fail pain. This is both incorrect and ignorant. If you want to, there is something called the Rose Report which offers pretty strong evidence that fish do not fail pain. If anyone wants a link to a summary of that, then look at this

http://www.gone-fishing.info/viewnews.php?nid=68

However it is clear that fish do feel stress, and that catching them can stress them out. However, any half decent angler will take steps to minimise stress through quick and effective unhooking, including the use of unhooking mats etc, and gentle handling. I know this may shock the anti-angling lobby out there, but any half decent angler will treat his catch with the utmost respect, and takes every possible step to ensure a speedy and safe return. Anyone who mistreats fish, subjects them to overdue stress deserves a bloody good kick in the nads.

A good angler doesn't leave behind litter or discarded tackle. A good angler is conservation minded. A good angler will probably never leave any trace of their presence in either the environment or on the fish itself.

My advice about angling? Go read the Rose report. Get an idea of the balanced picture. Don't just jump in and assume that every angler is out to kill and main. We aren't. I'm more than willing to debate this for as long as is neccessary. But before you start flaming me, go read the report, ok? Nice even playing field ;)



Do i need to carry on?

[jpman2112]

Hey man it's cool.I'm just trying to get across the reason i hunt.To each there own I say.I do love hunting and actually the less hunters there are the easier it is for me to find a good spot to do it.I just don't like people talking about things they know nothing about.I'm not trying to single you out Grebdron.Because it sounds like you have done some hunting.And i wanna say thanks for serving our country.I just don't like hearing from people that live in a big city and say hunting sux cause they've never done it.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by jpman2112
Hey man it's cool.I'm just trying to get across the reason i hunt.To each there own I say.I do love hunting and actually the less hunters there are the easier it is for me to find a good spot to do it.I just don't like people talking about things they know nothing about.I'm not trying to single you out Grebdron.Because it sounds like you have done some hunting.And i wanna say thanks for serving our country.I just don't like hearing from people that live in a big city and say hunting sux cause they've never done it.

It's all good. And I did try hunting...once. I couldn't do it, but I know there are millions who can.

Oh, and you're welcome.;)