Sometimes, the best way to define something is to begin with what it is not.
I think this is because the more stuff we get exposed to, the harder it is to distinguish between things that appear similar but really aren’t. The Internet Age has amplified this, as we all know. Social media in particular has grown into what a lot of people might call a necessary evil (although I personally think it’s very unnecessary, despite the fact that I use it). Each day more of us are seduced by it for one reason or another. And as that happens, the general discourse gets — in my opinion — degraded. This blog’s been around for about a decade, and until very recently it’s been immune to some of the ills I see in the discourse between otherwise anonymous people. “Civil discourse” seems to get rarer each day as keyboard commandos, trolls, and just straight-up assholes feel entitled to ruffle feathers just for the hell of it or, more likely, because they hate themselves and can’t think of anything better to do but project that self-hatred onto strangers.
So, to put it plainly, as far as what this blog is not:
— It is not yours
— It is not a petri dish for trolls
— It is not Instagram
— It is not a forum for “free speech” or spam
— It is not an outlet for unsolicited, uncivil discourse
What it is (as if that weren’t obvious):
— A place for my wife and me to share our thoughts, experiences, photos, and videos about chukar hunting and the culture surrounding it
— A place for civil discussions in response to our posts
As I said, until very recently, the impetus for wasting bandwidth on this issue never existed here, but I feel compelled (and really saddened) now to do so because I want to make it clear that if you feel like being a jerk on this blog, I won’t give you the perverse satisfaction of publicizing your self-hatred. Sorry.
If you don’t like what I write, or what my wife writes, and want to say so, we want to hear it if you can be a person about it. I like disagreement; I learn a lot from it. But if you can’t be a person, please don’t read this blog and please don’t comment. Unsubscribe. Go spread your self-hatred somewhere else, or better yet look in the mirror and face yourself and get some help. We’d all be better off.
Well, and appropriately said Bob.
I agree! Keep up the great words of wisdom!
Well said, I enjoy reading your blog for the simple fact it’s all about ethical hunting and bird dogs. Thanks for all the great reading over the years!!
Well states Sir!! Keep up the good work, love to read and see your journeys!!
Well said. I believe there is a difference between those who hunt and sportsman. Just about anyone can acquire a hunting license, pick up a gun and kill game. What separates the two groups is etiquette. A sportsman is not concerned with bag numbers, or for lack of better way to put it “The kill”, although an intricate part of hunting. A sportsman is aware that hunting is a well rounded experience. As upland bird hunters, bird dog devotees and yes, sportsman, we know that the pursuit of something that ourselves can not describe is at the core of what we do. It is the time spent afield, on a mountain or ridge with a trusted four legged companion, seeing them do what still mystifies us, following their inherent instinct in the pursuit of a common goal, that lies at the heart of our passion. Birds in the bag at the end of the day are the added bonus. Yet as sportsman we are also gentlemen and gentlewomen. We believe in honest opinions and debates, not vitriol and uncivil discourse. That is what we seek to get away from when we head to the mountains with our dogs. Thank you for your blog Bob. It is truly for sportsman by a sportsman.
Kyle,
I love your comment. Thank you.
Wow. No offense to your blog, but you would think trolls would have more important targets to spend their hatred on.
Trolls are trolls, sub- (and anti-) human, and omnipresent thanks to Al Gore’s invention (the Internet). What a world!
Well sad, Bob and Kyle!
Not so much for me though. Well said….
Sorry for the trolls. Your site is fantastic and you share many of my own opinions. Hope you season continues to go well and you all stay healthy! Keep posting for us all who enjoy it.
Thanks, Calton. Much appreciated!
Well said, I enjoy your blog and look forward to each post. You are both true bird hunters that put in the work to have great days afield regardless of bird numbers. Making memories with the dogs and hunting partners is what it is about.