Comments on: Alcohol: What is its place in the Outdoors?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:44:35 +0000

Guns and alcohol do not mix ever! However I don’t have a problem with it being served at many of the outdoor shows.
I think that it is more important how we all interact with our local communities when we are in camo. And it is the idiots throwing carcasses on the side of the road that I hate.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:20:43 +0000

Of course, no one should ever handle alcohol and firearms simultaneously. I don’t see selling beer at outdoor shows as a big deal though.

By: NorCal Cazadora

NorCal Cazadora — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:56:23 +0000

Guns & alcohol? No. Period. End of story.

Guns and events? There’s a reason for it that no one’s really addressed here: At fundraising events, alcohol lubricates the wallet. Pour fruit punch at a DU dinner and just watch happens to the bottom line. Alcohol ain’t going away.

I’ve run in a lot of different circles – hunting, journalism, politics, academia – and alcohol is ubiquitous at all of their events. I don’t think alcohol is creating or even substantially contributing to our image problem.

But pictures of people drinking on the hunt, or with drinks and guns in hand, yes, that’s a problem. One, they shouldn’t be doing it. And two, if they’re so bull-headed that they have to do it, they’re nuts for letting anyone take their picture.

By: Kristine Shreve

Kristine Shreve — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:38:13 +0000

I don’t drink much, primarily now because of medication issues, but I never did drink much. I’m certainly not against having a drink with friends or a glass of wine with dinner.

That said, I don’t think alcohol has any place in hunting or anywhere that guns or bows are involved. Once those are put away, then crack open a beer.

As for serving alcohol at an outdoor show I don’t mind that particularly. It really only bothers me when hunters are shown with guns and alcohol in both hands. That just reinforces the stereotype and it’s dangerous.

By: CaptainRon

CaptainRon — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:51:28 +0000

The negative stigma associated with alcohol and family events is one I knew all too well growing up and now looking back now I don’t understand it. When alcohol is enjoyed in moderation I don’t understand what the negative impact is on whatever event may be occurring. Is the mere presence of beer bad? Is it the obnoxious beer breath? My point is that I haven’t seen a negative impact of beer at these events as people seem to enjoy the beer in moderation. IMO it’s no different than a fan enjoying a beer up in the stands while watching the Lions put up another glorious loss.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:03:16 +0000

OK, I’m with the others, I drink and I don’t think there is any place for it while hunting. But, its also not just outdoor shows – it is everywhere: NASCAR, professional sporting events, rodeo, etc, etc. Nothing unique about outdoor shows. And I don’t have a real problem with it because I don’t think it adds to a particular stereotype. Its all about market share and target consumer audience.

By: The Hunter's Wife

The Hunter's Wife — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:30:40 +0000

I do enjoy a few good drinks. Socially with friends, if we are out to dinner or sometimes relaxing around the house. On our fishing trips we never have alcohol on our boat but will have a few drinks afterward.

I’ve been to a few outdoor sport shows that were selling alcohol. I personally didn’t think much of it.

Being the non-hunter, I’ve never related the two – hunters & booze.

By: gary

gary — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:48:36 +0000

Sorry Arthur I cannot give you an objective view point as we have seen alcohol and its effects on those around it up close and personel. It is ugly and I haven’t the time of day for it in any form and in anyplace. Anything that destroys lives and their families lives needs to be treated like the plague.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:35:44 +0000

I will say that I do enjoy a beer every now and then like yourself I do agree that alcohol and hunting DO NOT MIX.
I’ve never had an issue about it but sense I have been on certain medications that do not allow me to drink alcohol I have found that I really don’t miss it all that much.
It is bad enough that we don’t get the good publicity that we should be getting and when you add instances like that into it then it really effects us outdoors/hunters as a whole.
I have to agree with you on this matter Arthur and I don’t mind saying that I am just as happy with a hot cup of coffee or a cold soda.

By: Blessed

Blessed — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:37:55 +0000

First the disclaimer: I don’t drink alcohol at all, never really liked the stuff and know too many people who couldn’t control it and keep their consumption reasonable.

That said: I have no problem with people who enjoy alcohol and who can drink it without letting it control them.

OK, on to the topic of the post: I think it does contribute to the bad image of our sport when alcohol is a feature of every outdoor show. Especially since those are family oriented events. If it is the DU Banquet or whatever that is geared primarily towards adults and not families then I don’t have a problem with the alcohol at the event.