Hunting animals

[Cbear]

Funny you mention that Bob, I was just thinking today that I should finnish up a couple fixed blade hunters. I have about six of them that are all polished and ready for handles. They are that unusual hunting knife model that I brought to vegas a couple years ago and forgot I had them untill recently. I like it alot and use mine everytime I hunt. Cleaned a couple bear with it last year and it worked like a charm. Everyone I hunted with (paralized Veterans) borrowed it everytime they needed a knife even though they all had there own knives. It's a little funky but in a good way!!

Well, I guess this is where i get banned from the site as being a newbie who doesn't know crap. What the hell is going on with you hunting bears? There are no bear species in over population, they are predators reduced to hunting in garbage cans (black bears) or have become so accustomed to humans on Kodiak Island to the point that we are ignored. I am completely anti-predator hunting. The national parks don't need grey wolves thinned, the great north doesn't need black, kodiak and grizzley thinned, the south doesn't need coyotes thinned and the wolves damn sure don't need culling. But, if anyone needs the hunting desire satiated, we truly do need to control the feral hog populace. And no, Javalinas aren't hogs they are piccaries (spelling sorry). You never should kill a predator such as a bear, wolf, rattlesnake, brown recluse spider etc.. Its the predators we humans threaten the most.

And yes, I'd like to skin and tan any idiot who hunts Africa for skins.

[Cbear]

I'm a life long hunter, trapper, fisherman, but damn.....I can't stomach taking out the predators. Shoot the deer and feral hogs for meat but leave the damn wolves, coyotes, bears, and wolves alone. Is that so wrong? By the way, I do NOT believe in hunting over feed stands, deer blinds or the like. I strictly hunt stalking with no food, no scents, no advantage and I prefer a pistol (open sights, no scope). I'm down in central Texas, what do you hunters do?

[Bob Porter]

So you don't agree with legal hunting activities whose fees and taxes support wildlife conservation? Keep it to yourself or post it somewhere else. This post offends me and doesn't belong here in a thread about attending the Solvang knife show and discussing Ken's designs.

[Ken Onion]

Cbear , We are hunting Black bear in Alaska and they are over populated and don't have enough food source to feed properly. I don't hunt just to kill things. These bear are eaten and are quite delicious if cooked properly. Nothing is wasted. I am a firm believer in conservation also, if these bear were not hunted to help control over population they would have to be culled or they would starve. I totaly respect the outdoors and am very cautious about what I hunt ,where I hunt and how I hunt. Part of the reason Bear are comming into town and eating out of garbage cans is because of there lack of food. I also disagree with your stance on Wolves in some instances. I grew up in West Virginia . A few years ago Wolves were introduced to WVa for whatever reason . It was not a very wise decision. They are killing cattle,deer,dogs,chickens, horses and everything else at alarming rates. They have no preditors to keep there numbers in check and reproduce like dogs. They are just sport killers and eat very little of what they kill. They are not indiginous to WVa and as such have thrown the natural order into chaos. Farmers are understandably livid and in some instances have to stand watch over there heards.
I appreciate your concerns and understand where you are comming from. You won't be banned for voicing them. We might not agree on these issues and thats fine.Guys, lets keep this thread civil and discuss this topic like gentlemen.(thought I'd through that in just in case)

[Ken Onion]

Cbear, to answer your question, I hunt hogs with either a knife, rifle or a bow. I don't hunt at feeding stations either. I also hunt deer, elk, various birds,Mouflon sheep, turkey,etc... I use a rifle or a bow for the most part but am flexable. I grew up trapping but havn't done that in years. I only hunted once with a hand gun . I still hunt, stalk whatever my surroundings enable. I grew up hunting and will probably die a hunter. I prefer single shot rifles and believe in one shot one kill or I don't take the shot. My dad was very strict on us kids about this. I hate to see anything suffer.

[tmatthews]

My family originated in WV and then OH, I have also spent many years in LA near Baton Rouge. I couldn't agree with your father's teachings or your take on it more Ken! On a side note, I'd still rather talk about your awesome creations though....Keep up the good work! I'll be in Solvang too! Travis

[MKIV70]

I grew up in WV and I have the same phylosophy as Ted Nugent. Animals are here for us to eat. Bear, deer, lobster; I love em all! And if the coyote start running the deer and taking food off my table, then they are fair game too (as long as it's legal).
TJ

[Cbear]

So you don't agree with legal hunting activities whose fees and taxes support wildlife conservation? Keep it to yourself or post it somewhere else. This post offends me and doesn't belong here in a thread about attending the Solvang knife show and discussing Ken's designs.

Keep it to myself? Post it elsewhere? My post offends you? Ok, no problem Bob Porter, I'll ignore you and you can ignore me. However, I do apologize if I posted in the wrong forum or thread, I'm a noob to the forum and can only plead ignorance that I'm a fan of Ken Onion's work and I've spent my hard earned scheckles on. Have a good day sir.

[Cbear]

Cbear , We are hunting Black bear in Alaska and they are over populated and don't have enough food source to feed properly. I don't hunt just to kill things. These bear are eaten and are quite delicious if cooked properly. Nothing is wasted. I am a firm believer in conservation also, if these bear were not hunted to help control over population they would have to be culled or they would starve. I totaly respect the outdoors and am very cautious about what I hunt ,where I hunt and how I hunt. Part of the reason Bear are comming into town and eating out of garbage cans is because of there lack of food. I also disagree with your stance on Wolves in some instances. I grew up in West Virginia . A few years ago Wolves were introduced to WVa for whatever reason . It was not a very wise decision. They are killing cattle,deer,dogs,chickens, horses and everything else at alarming rates. They have no preditors to keep there numbers in check and reproduce like dogs. They are just sport killers and eat very little of what they kill. They are not indiginous to WVa and as such have thrown the natural order into chaos. Farmers are understandably livid and in some instances have to stand watch over there heards.
I appreciate your concerns and understand where you are comming from. You won't be banned for voicing them. We might not agree on these issues and thats fine.Guys, lets keep this thread civil and discuss this topic like gentlemen.(thought I'd through that in just in case)

Ken, thanks for your comments. I will readdress my own comments since we do have regional differences that might predjudice our opinions. I'm in Texas so my hunting is relegated to the south. Black bears are an anomoly in Big Bend National park as are cougers. We search far and wide for any chance of seeing them. It sounds perhaps that the eastern coast and northern areas might be over run by black bears; if so, they do need to be controlled. As for wolves, man has taken them from prolific to endangered species more than once, so I reserve judgement.

Down here we have a feral hog epidemic like much of the country and they must be controlled lest the ecosystem is thrown into disarray. Our white tail deer population is fine which is evidenced by the trophy deer we have in south and central Texas. I am not a trophy hunter, I'm strictly a meat hunter. No offense to trophy hunters as long as its a fair hunt. But, I think canned hunts are pure evil and anyone involed should be eaten by fire ants.

[ret25yo]

CBear, I am an Alaskan Resident. I and many others in the state rely .. yes rely on moose, caribou to feed our families in the winter. It is unsafe to drive 6 hrs to town one way, with a frozen road and -65 degrees out (if its not closed). Many places here do not have a road system at all and have to rely on dogsled for transportation. These bears are devastating the moose and caribou population. The wolves also. These predators do not just take what they can eat. I have personally witnessed a wolf kill 3 caribou calfs and then take off and follow the herd across the tundra. I eat what I kill and so does my family. I have 5 kids and take one moose and 2 caribou for a winter. That comes up to just about 1000 lbs of meat. This meat is healthier than beef and if you come to my village, and complain about paying 8$ for 12 eggs and close to 10$ for a gallon of milk and 8.00 a gallon of gas maybe your viewpoint might change. Bears are a nuisance here , wolves are also. thx for you insight into Alaska Fish and Game :D

[Onion Man]

I'm a WV native and I think hunting is murder...Tasty, TASTY Murder!:D

I love deer, elk and bear...right next to my mashed potatoes!:)

TBTH, I haven't hunted a day in my life, but if someone wants to grill up an Elk Cheeseburger, I'll be the first one in line!

You kill it and grill it and I'll devour it and come back for seconds!

I'm a noobie here, but not to forums in general and let me tell ya...it ain't worth arguing over these things. Forums go down the drain and turn into nothing but trash if we start posting rude remarks to each other.

My opinion is mine and your is yours. You won't change my mind and I won't waste my time trying to change yours.

I choose to relax and unwind while out here in the "Onion Field".

Please don't be a "Buzz Kill" while I'm grooving on these pretty knives!

Keep Doing What You Do Best, Ken!