The Roanoke Times: The Wild Life

Comments

# 1

[December 22, 2007 3:30 PM]

Shep

So you kill another living creature with a gun and hold its head up and have people take pictures of it while you smile. Then I suppose you'll hang its decapitated head on the wall of your double wide and put a Dale Earnhardt hat on it. Classy.

# 2

[December 22, 2007 4:10 PM]

polly

so you killed a beautiful animal and then bragged about it.may god have mercy on your soul.more so then you had for the deer.

# 3

[December 22, 2007 4:52 PM]

Mark Taylor

Thanks for checking out the trophy deer shots, Shep and Polly.

Sorry I don't have time for a longer response, but I've got to go cut the tenderloins out of the deer I killed this morning before it gets dark.

mt

# 4

[December 22, 2007 5:00 PM]

Shep : →http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKiV5dQcOzE

Enjoy this fair fight between a deer and a hunter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKiV5dQcOzE

# 5

[December 22, 2007 7:38 PM]

moe

So Im guessing shep an polly dont eat beef or chicken or any meat. or have any leather products or leather in there cars or have anything better to do with there lifes except get on OUR outdoor web page and give US something to laugh at. Well we thank you ! Because We needed a good laugh because I no for a fact 99.9 % of Marks readers are getting a little depressed cause Deer Hunting season is almost over for another 9 loooong months. so thanks again for checking in with OUR web page and giving us all a good laugh.HAHAHAHAHA Thanks again Mark for all you do........Moe(huntin)

# 6

[December 23, 2007 4:12 AM]

Shep

You're right. I don't eat chicken, beef, pork or any other meat, nor do I purchase leather or any other animal-hostile products. I also understand English, so I use the word "lives" when "lifes" will do just fine for plebians such as yourself. I also do not arbitrarily capitalize words such as "We", "Deer" and "Hunting" in sentences that do not call for it. I also have plenty to do besides post on roanoke.com. Today, however, I had a lull in activity which allowed me to become aware of this blog to which I decided to respond and rouse you from your routine of checking in on www.thefoxworthystore.com/ and sending stuffed carcasses and "GIT R DONE" stickers to your genetically convoluted clan.

# 7

[December 23, 2007 8:03 PM]

moe

Mark you may have to help me out on this one. I didnt understand a word of what this writer just wrote. WOW !! Them thar wer some big words. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA Dont I feel like a BIG dummy.... Thank you shep. That was funny.

# 8

[December 24, 2007 1:00 AM]

joey hambrick

first off, there is nuthing worse than reformed people as far as "peta" goes, i have no problem with them if they leave me alone, i got a good friend that quit smoking, quit drinking and gave up hunting after a arrow stuck doe started balwing on him, but to this day he doesnt give any of us any grief, and he not only turned into a vegitarian, he went and turned into a vegan, he wont even eat fast food fries `because theey are cooked in animal fat, but the guy doesnt ridicule us for doing it, i shoot deer for the meat, i alone eat at least 3 deer a year and usually give 2 or so to hunters for the hungry, we all need to help out the less fortunate, and the bonus to deer, they have the healthiest meat,they free feed and arent pumped full of antibiotis and hg,you can speak your opinion on they subject, but down people for there kill, i personally would think a non meat eater woldnt be even looking a the deer post,sounds like shep is just a junk`n wanting to stir up some stuff, and polly, if it makes you feel a little better, when i get to my downed deer, i say a little prayer to the "man" to let me be able to harvest it, and if we didny harvest as many deer as the va. state hunters,your car would probally be tore up by hitting one. and then you would probally change your mind on the subject, hope you two can find some kinda middle gound on the issue, thing is, i not a veggie or vegan, but i dont go ridiculing the couple people i know that are, so get over it already, sorry i got to go, but i got a saturday deer i harvested hanging in the freezer, ive go to go cut it up and make sone jerky and can about 8 jars of the meat, and burger the rest

# 9

[December 24, 2007 9:11 AM]

bill mitchell

shep,I respect yur views.I have hunted all my life and I have always felt some remorse after killing one of gods creatures,but I do it and I eat them afterwards,it is natural we are meat eaters,check out your teeth.My mate is vegatarian and in the past I have been for short periods of time,but I seem to need meat and in hunting bring the process closerto me.SO RESPECT THE GOOD HUNTER,one shot kills are more humane than any slaughter house and hunters are mostly good stewards of the land.It is also in the human spirt to be proud of a good clean kill,despite it all no matter how highly evolved we are we are animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# 10

[December 24, 2007 10:48 AM]

Mark Taylor

Moe,

On that post from Shep, it's basic psychology. Bullies tend to lack self esteem, abusing others in an attempt to make them feel better about themselves.

Furthermore, when a debater resorts to belittling his opponent it can indicate a lack of confidence in the validity of his position.

Whenever I get into a debate about hunting, I never ridicule my opponent. I don't have to.

Thanks, everyone, for reading. And for keeping it civil.

mt

# 11

[December 24, 2007 11:25 AM]

Walt

Mark It is pointless to attempt to sway the lunatic fringe of the animal rights/welfare movement. These people will never admit that they are responsible for the death and destruction of wildlife/wildlife habitat by just being alive and human. The single largest cause of destruction of wildlife habitat worldwide is agriculture; if you eat, you subsidize the bulldozer and plow. The difference is that hunters recognize their responsibility and accept that their actions have consequences. I wonder what these folks will do one day when the grocery shelves are empty? Keep up the good work.

# 12

[December 24, 2007 11:47 AM]

Mark Taylor

You're exactly right, Walt. To be human is to be "animal-hostile." I don't have a problem with animal rights folks personally trying to being less animal-hostile if they so choose. But I take great exception when they arrogantly harangue us from atop their self-righteous high horse.

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for reading. If you get out in the woods this afternoon -- and it could be good in the wake of that front -- good luck.

mt

# 13

[December 24, 2007 12:55 PM]

chris

Mark, you make an interesting point about the insults. I never really thought about it in that way before. My hunting friends and I are mostly all college grads, who live in homes in fairly nice middle-class neighborhoods. We have nothing against NASCAR and might occasionally watch part of a race, but we are not big NASCAR fans. We enjoy times with friends and family, and are active in our churches and our communities. Personal insults really reveal how ignorant (not stupid, but uninformed) some of the "animal rights" folks are when it comes to hunting. I make no aplogies for doing what I enjoy doing. I have not killed a deer this season, but the enjoyment of hunting has not decreased for me. When I go, just getting to see game makes it worth going. It's a very different feeling from seeing a deer in a field as you drive by it on your way to work. They see the pictures of the kills and feel bad for the deer. We see those same pictures and see them as a celebration of the success of the hunter and of a conservation program that brought these animals back from near extinction 100 years ago.

# 14

[December 24, 2007 6:54 PM]

Frank Warren

I personally do not hunt anymore however I understand the need for culling out the herds. I have read that there are more Virginia whitetale deer in our country now than there were when the Pilgrims landed. Deer adapt to human landscape very well. They have few if any natural enemies to keep the numbers in check. If the populations get too large mass dieoffs can occur do to starvation. Studies have proven it. Competent hunters who kill quickly and humanly have my respect if the animal is killed for meat and not strictly for a trophy on the wall. Stupid incompetent want a be hunters give hunting a bad name. I am more concerned about the clearing of the rain forest to raise more cattle for human cosumption. A football size area per second in Brazil is what is being cleared as we speak. Think about it...

# 15

[December 24, 2007 9:49 PM]

Mandi [Little Moe]

I'm 17 years old and I enjoy Huntin very much. I've been Huntin since I was about 12. Before I actually Hunted for myself I thought it was mean to kill a deer that ain't done anything to ya. Then I got out there and realized 1--the excitement and pride of your first buck and 2--the good lord above put the creatures on the earth to nourish our bodies. I don't think it's right for "animal rights" people to criticize us when we don't criticize them on not eating the most delicious part of the food pyramid. Thanks, & keep up the good work Mark. Hope you have a great christmas !

# 16

[December 26, 2007 9:16 AM]

Craig

First, Merry Christmas everyone! I feel bad for Shep and Polly after reading all this. I usually harvest one deer a year, and eat it all. And I do feel remorse when I walk up to the animal; its out of a respect for them. I respect and adore these animals. But I also understand that they were put on this earth for a reason. Polly makes a referral to "God having mercy on our souls" for harvesting deer. Polly, God bless you for feeling such a love for the animals. But perhaps you should read Genesis 1:26 and Leveticus 11:1-3 before judging us for hunting. Then give Matthew 7:3-5 a look. If you don't like what we do, then you may want to find another blog to visit. Bless you.

# 17

[December 26, 2007 10:08 AM]

Mark Taylor

You all make excellent points. And I think it says a lot that you made them without resorting to insults and condescending comments. Thanks for taking the high road.

I hope everyone's Christmas was as special as mine.

mt

# 18

[December 29, 2007 9:51 AM]

Backlash

To Shep and Polly it's great that you take an interest in this hunting photo, but my question is why? Do you realize that deer car collisions created over $500,000,000 dollars in the year 2006 and nearly 500 deaths.

Or did you know that hunters for the hungry gave over 20,000lbs of venison to the hurricane Katrina victims would you rather those people starve or wait on the vegan groups that supplied the homeless people nothing.

It is to ostracize by pointing the finger at someone from home when you do nothing, but throw the rock and hide your hand.

Lastly to you animals rights crowd, in my neighborhood last night I counted 14 does and three bucks did you know 1 doe and 1 buck can help generate over 40 deers in four years.

what do you suggest we do? Stop women from having children or let the deer continue proliferate and eat all there available food sources gone and they stave to death.

Through rational hunting and animal control we can keep those numbers in check. Maybe when a deer can drive my car or work beside me as in a Disney animation I would grant them the rights of a man.

Until then I will continue to believe God made man dominion over all animals and provided them for us as a way to nourish our bodies and soul.

Thank you Mark Taylor I was wondering how long it would take to let us post comments, but you are really banking on a long shot for nasty insults from other websites it is only a matter of time.

It will be left up too a smart staff to filter out the rift raft of debauchery.

Backlash Christiansburg Virginia

# 19

[December 29, 2007 3:22 PM]

backlash

Shep I have reread some of your comments and for a person of reasonable education you strike me as a person will no education of "the nature of things".

As a hunter I don't go out trying to eradicate every living creature in the forest, nor do other hunters. Most hunters and mind you college students hunt to supplement their income by doing this makes them more responsible to the world around us.

Deer are a beautiful animal and yet can become quite intrusive as well. Just as well all hunters are not white we make up a diverse group also being educated.

There was a story on the internet about two years ago of a man trying to protect deer from hunters only to be killed by a buck in the rut while feeding them. There is a lesson in that I am sure you are smart enough to figure it out.

The best thing that you can do is open a rational dialog just like politics. Just because you want my vote your history will only warrant it.

Mark to make this blog. more fluent would be better to open it up, let the general public notify you of the vulgarity. Place the photos in a 6 pic. box which can be enlarged by clicking them for the story and post a comment.

We can be told of this on front page bottom section of the newspaper notification will give this more continuity.

How about a name the like The Hunter's Lair and the Anglers Hook just a suggestion.

Backlash Christiansburg

# 20

[April 2, 2008 10:04 AM]

Jamie

hahahahha are you kidding me shep you have officialy been discarded by the assosiasion of contiplicative affair.

bahahaha!

im cool i spoke big words!