I know two extremes of horse people in carroll and western howard county, "farmers" and "crazy horse ladies". The farmers are are much more down to earth and usually hunt in proximity to their horses already, or have trusted and vetted hunter do the same. The crazy horse ladies think of their horses as family, refer to them as their babies, super protective, etc. When you mention hunting, even archery, around their babies they picture rambo in a nursery. Any perceived risk of collateral damage is too much, even competently rational people feel this way. Additionally a lot places that do boarding will try to cater to these people with this mindset.
I think the long term solution to the sway general population and the horse people to sunday hunting is to talk about the ticks, mites, and competition for food. I know there is at least one of the internal parasites that can infect both deer and horses. The hunters are the much lower risk of the two. At the same time you need to stress the advantages of hunting over paid sharp shooters. Currently sharp shooters who dump a 1000lbs of meat in a hole every night have a better public image to the progressives then hunters. And they will petition to spend your tax dollars to use them. This needs to change.
As a hunter you need to be as responsible as possible in their eyes and being invisible also helps. On public land never leave a gut pile where the public or dog will find it. Also try not to leave a blood trail from dragging on a path. Finding something like that will stick with an average person for years. Even people that themselves dont care might not want to explain what they found to their kids.
I think the long term solution to the sway general population and the horse people to sunday hunting is to talk about the ticks, mites, and competition for food. I know there is at least one of the internal parasites that can infect both deer and horses. The hunters are the much lower risk of the two. At the same time you need to stress the advantages of hunting over paid sharp shooters. Currently sharp shooters who dump a 1000lbs of meat in a hole every night have a better public image to the progressives then hunters. And they will petition to spend your tax dollars to use them. This needs to change.
As a hunter you need to be as responsible as possible in their eyes and being invisible also helps. On public land never leave a gut pile where the public or dog will find it. Also try not to leave a blood trail from dragging on a path. Finding something like that will stick with an average person for years. Even people that themselves dont care might not want to explain what they found to their kids.
