If you are a part of the hound community it has become very apparent that there is an alarmingly large number of people who do not like what we do. Every year we hear more and more issues arise of some group of people wanting to abolish a certain type of hound hunting. We all struggle as a community to preserve our lifestyle which seems ridiculous. However to truly be able to battle back from this we have to understand the opposing side. We also have to keep in mind that anything we do will be used as a plea to stop our way of life.
Understanding the opposition is a key component to being able to tackle the anti-hound hunters. So many battles are lost because we only see what we think and what we believe in. Despite what we may know to be true and valid the anti-hound hunters believe they are valid also. It is important that we try to understand their concerns because it will inevitably help us dismiss them as many of the premises that they build their arguments on are invalid. However if we argue it without addressing the points it will be seen as ignorance rather than passion. Educating other people about hound hunting is important but educating ourselves about the anti-hunters is an important aspect also.
Educating other people about hound hunting is important but educating ourselves about the anti-hunters is just as important
Every hound hunter has to carry themselves as an ambassador of the sport. Anti-hound hunters are something that upsets all of us without a doubt. However reactions are what the public is seeking out of the hound community. Carrying ourselves with respect and dignity speaks volumes because most of the arguments brought against us are on the basis of outlaw and savage characteristics. Proving that demeanor wrong and showing that the hound hunting lifestyle is something to be proud of speaks volumes to the bystanders of the anti-hound debates. Losing control of our emotions is easy because it is a topic we are so passionate about but in the end remaining composed and speaking scholarly about the issues is what may not win the battle but will win the war.
Anti-hound hunters seem to always target pack dogs but never upland pointers or retrievers, but why is that? This happens because by nature it is displayed more as an art of the working dog displaying its training. But, the hound community knows that this is no different than a group of hounds treeing a cat or a dozen beagles chasing a whitetail. Perspective is something that takes time and explanation to be had. Anti-hound hunters judge the hound community because they have never had the opportunity to understand or have never allowed themselves to understand. Giving them that perspective could change a lot of opinions early into the debate.
Perhaps allowing people a glimpse into our lifestyle will allow opinions to be changed before it comes to a debate over a new piece of legislation. If there is something good, someone will try to take it, it is a universal truth and hound hunting is no exception but we have to be prepared to deal with these issues as a community,
