By Jason Reid
Las Vegas, NV -(AmmoLand.com)- In part one we discussed some of what is being seen right now on the socio-political landscape in regards to hunting.
But how can we take back the conversation directly turned to social media communications. Carter was not shy about voicing his displeasure at the sorry state of hunters social media communication.
Going back to what he said in the first part of this blog, “We are showing everyone what kind of hunters we are instead of showing people what kind of conservationists we are.”
This boils back down to communicating well to each other. What we do not do well enough is gathering the right information, doing the research while taking the time to post proper photos. Think about it this way, the opposition can communicate their message through memes which fuel emotion. They have one message and we have many.
Carter called for a new strategy for social media all conservationists and hunters can get behind. But setting the example to influence hunters across all the different demographics would not happen immediately. Melisa Bachman spoke on how she still continues to see hunters attacking other hunters over small differences in opinion. Again, we are all headed in the same direction so don’t derail the overall purpose. Instead we need to be defending each other.
Johan Svalby, the head of the public affairs department for the Federations of Associations for Hunting and Conservation in Europe talked about the rebranding European hunters went through to defend their rights to hunt. While the European model is a bit different since hunting is an activity reserved for upper-class citizens, they were still able to rebrand themselves in the 70’s. Granted there was no social media element to deal with in those days, but if those groups of hunters could turn around the message they were sending, we ought to be able to as well in North America.
So how can we rebrand ourselves?
We have the power and the ability to make the moves we need to in order to take back what has always been ours.
Here are a few ways we can utilize social media better than we have before:
1) Take clean photos of your successful hunt.
2) Document and share photos and videos of other valuable moments of the hunt such as personal interactions with others in and out of the field and conservation efforts
3) Document the aspects of clean and healthy food through the care of the meat.
4) Alert our networks to anti-hunter attacks on others.
5) Understand and share facts of conservation and hunting.
This will take time but as it is with any campaign, it is consistency which leaves a lasting legacy. We have strong heritage and legacy as it is, but for us to ensure its safety for generations to come, now is the time to recognize and own the response to the anti-hunting groups. My fears are not based in the response of extremists but that I’ll be writing this same blog next year at this time. This is our time and our chance to own the conversation and protect our heritage for generations to come.
About Jason Reid:
Jason Reid is a writer and business professional from upstate New York. After deciding to pursue his dream of becoming an outdoor writer, Jason started a blog from his dorm room at Houghton College, growing it and working hard to earn opportunities. While bowhunting big game is his ultimate passion, Jason welcomes all outdoor challenges which force him to push his limits. See more from Jason on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jason’s work can also be viewed on his website Pushingthewildlimits.com.