Under Armour (UA) drops a sponsor because her husband killed a bear with a spear and posted it on social media...
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/08/john-boch/armour-dumps-hunters-hunters-returning-favor/
Personally, I can see how the video would NOT be appealing to anti-hunters, and more importantly non-hunters. Although UA has a solid hunting line, it would appear that their growing market is with non-hunters or non-hunting related activities...
Wanting to hear both sides of the story, I emailed a letter to their media relations department:
mediarelations@underarmour.com
Here is the letter I wrote:
To Whom It May Concern,
As a hunter wearing outdoor apparel for hunting and fishing, I was somewhat dismayed to see that you dropped a sponsor due to her husband posting a video of a legal bear hunt with a spear.
I would hope that as a company with its roots in outdoor apparel that Under Armour would support hunting and hunting related activities.
As you can imagine, this incident has and is being addressed by hunters on several hunting and outdoor media sites. From the perspective given, it sounds very much like Under Armour is condemning hunting in lieu of a non-hunting (or in this case an Anti-hunting) concern.
I would very much like to understand your reasoning as to dropping this sponsor, and I would like to know what Under Armour does to support the hunting community outside of this issue?
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marc E. Sorsky
I'll post up a response when I get it... But on other hunting forums I am on, there is some interesting discussion taking place. I am not ready to condemn UA for their decision, as I do feel that there is an obligation to a sponsor to represent a company and their interests... And while I understand we will never win over the anti-hunting population, I do feel that the hunting community as a whole needs to market themselves better to stay in the good graces of the "non-hunters."
I would encourage others to write UA (at the above link) with your own inquiries.
I didn't read about this or watch the video, but I don't buy UA's overpriced crap anyways. I'll stick with the good ole cheap camo. That said, I certainly see your point and concern.
What little I know about the situation, I personally see nothing wrong with what they did. In my opinion it is not the best way to kill a bear, which he did do, but so much can go wrong and I am sure it is not a quick death for the bear. I own very little Under Armor products cause of what they ask for it. They have the right as an American company to support what they want, they did not turn their back on hunting. They decided this was not something they wanted to support and be associated with, I am the same way with turkey hunting from a blind with a flock of decoys. To each their own but I do not see this as Under Armor bowing down to anti hunting individuals.
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As long as he did it under the law...it was legal I see nothing wrong with killing a bear with a spear....mind you this was probably a big spear and provided a quick death well placed as with any hunting arm...they shoot bears with arrows...so I see no difference...they also hunt wild boars with spears...via the term boar spear...i have watched that on tv...as far as UA goes there stuff is to high priced for me but I am sure alot of hunters wear UA...i hear their cold gear works great...
Videos will eventually lead to the end of hunting. They move what should be a private, personal endeavor into the public arena.
Quote from: silvestris on August 25, 2016, 10:07:15 AM
Videos will eventually lead to the end of hunting. They move what should be a private, personal endeavor into the public arena.
Well said. If it's legal then have at it. But use a bit of discresion and consider the possible audience when broadcasting it.
I agree with Silvestris. I don't understand the need to post controversial images, other than to feed one's ego. And, who takes a bite out of a raw, warm deer heart. Maybe I've been under a rock, but I've never heard of that one. Blood on the forehead, maybe, but certainly as a parent I would not post it.
It was a legal hunt and the hunter that was dropped was the wife of the hunter who killed the bear. He had no contract with UA....she did. Scent Lok and another company has gone on record as saying they support hunters. The anti-hunters put UA under fire because the video was posted on You Tube.
I don't believe that under armour is turning their back on hunting. They are trying to straddle the fence though. I do believe it is a PR move to avoid confrontation. Let's face it, spear hunting is not that popular. I have no problem with it but the truth is that hunting with a spear is much more intimate than killing from a distance even if that distance is slight. That's a little harder for the non-hunting public to take. Death is death no matter how far you try and remove yourself from it. But as hunters we need to watch ourselves and our image. TV killing is slowly but surely ruining the true hunters image and you can thank the almighty dollar for that. Under armor didn't like the way they were portrayed and the complaints they received and to save image and keep making dollars they made their stance.
Quote from: Gobspur on August 25, 2016, 07:23:40 AM
I didn't read about this or watch the video, but I don't buy UA's overpriced crap anyways. I'll stick with the good ole cheap camo. That said, I certainly see your point and concern.
x2
It all comes down to respect for your quarry. Some hunters clearly have it and some don't. I don't see any problem with the stance Under Armor has taken. Just because something is legal does not make it ethical or tasteful to the the majority of people. I can understand Under Armour's position from the way they see this. Comes down to dollars and cents. Hunters make up a small percentage of their overall sales.
Political correctness and social media will be the death of all that we love and enjoy.
I've never bought any Under Armour products due to their insane prices, and now after demonstrating their association with the anti's, I will never buy any UA products in the future either. >:(
Quote from: Farmboy27 on August 25, 2016, 12:49:51 PM
Quote from: silvestris on August 25, 2016, 10:07:15 AM
Videos will eventually lead to the end of hunting. They move what should be a private, personal endeavor into the public arena.
Well said. If it's legal then have at it. But use a bit of discresion and consider the possible audience when broadcasting it.
Yep
Quote from: Farmboy27 on August 25, 2016, 12:49:51 PM
Quote from: silvestris on August 25, 2016, 10:07:15 AM
Videos will eventually lead to the end of hunting. They move what should be a private, personal endeavor into the public arena.
Well said. If it's legal then have at it. But use a bit of discresion and consider the possible audience when broadcasting it.
Both of these ^^ gentlemen have spoken for me. Believe that drives it home pretty darn well.
My position is that I feel that hunters need to show a bit more restraint when pounding our chests on social media...
I have no issue with the bear being killed, but I do take issue with the posting of a video that will offend the majority of non-hunters...
The Anti's will get there foot in any door we open, and we need to stop opening so many doors...
On the flip side of that, as mentioned in my first post, I wrote a letter to UA expressing my concern of their position on hunters and their continued support of hunting... If we sit still and do nothing while we let anti's slam those doors back on us, I fear our children and grandchildren might miss out on the passions we so enjoy.
I would encourage everyone on this forum to write UA and question their stance and support on hunting. Let them know we are a force, and that these issues are important to us and where we spend our money...
I have not yet had a response to my own letter, but I did find another link... Copy and paste to both links...
mediarelations@underarmour.com
http://investor.underarmour.com/contactBoard.cfm
The honest truth is that tv/social media hunters are after attention. I fear the animal itself means very little to them other than its "trophy" status and that attitude is going to cost the hunter in general. The hunter / conservationist is gone. The older I get the more disturbed I am about the trend I am seeing.
I have as much of a problem with the spear as I do hunting over a bait barrel. While both may be legal, I wouldn't hunt that way. That doesn't mean I condem him for hunting that way. As hunters, we must stick together, work together to protect the sport we love.
The problem is you have to many of these new breed tv/social media types who think they are some type of celebrity. Used to be people shot an animal walked up and retrieved it, took it home processed the meat, preserved hide if applicable or whatever. Nowadays you have to many so called hunters who shoot something whoop and holler, pound their chests and proceed to show and tell everyone all about how "that one took a dirt nap" or whatever stupid slogan/saying they come up with. They glorify the killing aspect of the hunt which makes it clear that this is the most important read only thing they care about. The kill is more important than the hunt to this new breed of hunter. They act like they accomplished something up there in there tree house over looking a feeder watching their pet deer till they find the one they want to harvest. Then they proceed to tell the world about it like it was some kind of great feat describing in great detail all the hard work and preparation that went into the hunt (keeping plenty of food in the feeder, or making sure all of the fences were still secure) Oh yea and it was always the last day of the hunt and really the last hour of daylight (always goes down to the wire).
Bunch of killers out there now, not many real hunters left. Hunting is not what it used to be and it never will be again. Happy summed up nicely how I feel about this. Trophy hunting and this kill at all cost attitude is the problem here. I can't blame political correctness as much as I blame it on the changing of the hunter and hunters attitudes. The sad fact is that this new breed of so called hunter has become the majority. Bunch of egotistical maniacs with an over inflated opinion of themselves and their so called accomplishments. It is way past being long overdue that responsible hunters who have respect for the animal hunted take a stand against these kill at all costs killers who call themselves hunters. These people will be the downfall of hunting. All they care about is putting money in their pockets and showing/telling everyone how great of a hunter they are. They have no respect for the animal. The new breed doesn't understand what hunting is all about. Hunting has gotten to far away from its roots and I don't think it will ever get back at this point. To many people subscribe to the theory that as long as something is legal then it is alright. Legal and ethical are two different things.
You just nailed it Ihuntoldschool.
Greg
Couldn't agree more. People are more worried about killing than enjoying the hunt itself. Ihuntoldschool nailed it. Just seen a post today on Facebook about someone who shot a fawn yesterday in the neighborhood very close to where I live. The mom and her two fawns were frequently visiting the neighborhood. Weren't causing any problems or anything and some sick (names I won't say here) just kills one of the fawns. Obviously out of season and was in a smaller village which doesn't allow the discharge of firearms within the village limits. All about the thrill of killing and no respect for the animal.
Ihuntoldschool well said. :smiley-char092:
Once again, I am proud to be a member of the OG family, after reading the thoughtful responses in this thread. There are so many "wise words" in so many of the posts.
All of us who want to preserve the right and privilege that we have to hunt owe it to our fellow hunters and to the future generation of hunters to conduct ourselves in a responsible manner. Our "audience" includes many who are neutral on the subject of hunting but also many who are very much against it and will use the words and actions of some hunters to prove their points.
The choice is ours.
Again, I'm proud of all the thoughtful responses.
Thanks,
Clark
Quote from: 2eagles on August 26, 2016, 07:58:28 AM
I have as much of a problem with the spear as I do hunting over a bait barrel. While both may be legal, I wouldn't hunt that way. That doesn't mean I condem him for hunting that way. As hunters, we must stick together, work together to protect the sport we love.
While I agree with what you are saying, there is another side to this issue as well.
I would not condemn him for this "hunt" either... Although, not what I would call hunting, but I respect his choice to do so.
What I would condemn, is his decision to post such a video on a mainstream social media site.
I enjoy many of the pictures and videos posted on this and other HUNTING sites (most of which are tasteful)... But those of us viewing these sites are either hunters, or someone looking to see hunting related topics. It is quite a different matter to post a graphic and for most non-hunters, offensive video of hunting.
And while I am not happy about UA's decision, I am more disturbed by the complete lack of respect and courtesy to non-hunters by throwing such a video in their face on a non-hunting mainstream media site.
Yep, we need to stand together and support our cause, but we also need to take our heads out of the sand... While I support his decision to harvest an animal using alternative and unique means, I would have no problem openly condemning him for choosing to post such a video on a mainstream public forum.
I think ihuntoldschool summed it up best!! I totally agree about where the so called hunters are today!! It is a "look at me world", "look what I did" sort of thing!! I was talking to a game warden friend of mine today and asking if he had seen it. He said such tactics were against the law in the state of Georgia! Look at the video... you say well You can shoot them with a bow. Yes, you can! Most guys that I know, that bow hunt, can put their arrows in a 5 inch circle every time. I don't know of anyone than can throw a spear in a 5 inch circle every time. Suppose that spear had struck that bear right in front of his hind quarters, in the gut, reckon this guy would have run in there to finish him off?? I doubt it!! He is just an adrenalin high junkie out for attention!! I know the Indians used to hunt like this....that was before they had firearms. They did it to survive...not the reason this glory hound did it!! Just because something is legal, doesn't mean I do it! I don't shoot turkeys from the roost either!! Deer crossing a stream, which is illegal here, I don't need a law to tell me it is unethical!! I know a guy who's dogs ran a yearling deer onto a small island out in the middle of a pond. Guy catches his dogs, goes home and gets his boat. Paddles out to the island and kills the yearling deer. Illegal?? No!! Unethical?? Very much so, in my book!!