Visit with Mark Lamb, Owner of "Traditional Sportsman"

I recently received an assignment to walk downtown in order to visit the store, the Traditional Sportsman. I have to admit, I was hesitant at first as to whether I would enjoy the trip or not because I do not know very much about hunting and fishing. However, I was very pleasantly surprised and not only did I learn a lot, but I was able to speak to the very wise, knowledgeable and passionate owner of the store. I had a series of questions for him:

Q1. What do you think the most ethical type of hunting is? (Me)

A1. That which uses a camera because you are still able to experience the stalk and see the animal up close but you are not killing it. However, if speaking strictly of killing, then I believe that bow hunting is more ethical than gun hunting because there is less shock introduced to the animal. (Mark)

Impression: This was an interesting answer to me because I would never have thought of photography as a type of hunting and in the traditional sense most people would deny that it is hunting. However, it was intriguing to me that this was his first response. We then later talked about the fact that he believes hunting is also only ethical if you consume most of the meat that you kill. 

Q2. Why do you hunt? (Me)

A2. To feed my family. I am not a trophy hunter. (Mark)

Impression: I thought that this was a very noble and straightforward answer. I also respect this motivation for hunting because it is something that does not produce vast amounts of wasted resources like most trophy hunting does. 

Q3. What is your favorite thing to hunt? (Me)

A3. Elk, because they are a challenge. You must stalk them for long periods of time, move in very stealthily and have good aim. (Mark)

Impression: I could identify with the idea that he enjoyed hunting for the challenge because that is how I feel about running cross country. I think that it is important for people to have hobbies in their lives that challenge them and cause them to exert themselves in ways that they wouldn't do without the activity. It makes you a more well rounded individual and allows you to have a broader perspective on life sometimes. 

Q4. What method do you usually use when hunting? (Me)

A4.  I use a traditional bow because it requires one to shoot from 20 yards or less and I feel that it is more rewarding than gun hunting. I also use cedar arrows because the are heavier and slower and they break off as the animal runs off, which causes the animal to bleed out more quickly and consequently allow it to die sooner. So it is really better for the animal in my opinion. (Mark)

Impression: I was interesting to hear about the techniques that you can use hunting and after talking to Mark it made sense that one would use a bow and arrows because it is a more traditional and primitive way of doing things and people have been doing that type of hunting for tens of thousands of years. I thought that it was honorable that he chooses to hunt this way even though there are many devices that make the sport of hunting much easier.

Q5. What is the most common mistake among people who are new to hunting? (Me)

A5. The most common mistake that people make is that they underestimate the animal and are not prepared for the outdoor conditions. (Mark)

Impression: These mistakes both made sense to me because sometimes, as humans, we get overconfident about things that we have never done before and don't do a good job of preparing for them. It is a good thing to point out that animals do have instincts to stay away from predators like humans and we tend to overestimate the stupidity of the animal. This can lead to accidents, getting lost and various other obstacles. So Mark says to make sure that you are educated on everything (or as much as possible) that you may encounter.

Q6. Is the equipment or the skill more important? (Me)

A6. Hands down the skill and lots and lots of practice. (Mark)

Impression: This is a good way of going about things because from an ethical standpoint, it is the responsibility of the hunter to know what to do in order to cause the animal the least amount of pain and to make the most effective and efficient kill. If the hunter has not practiced and does not have the skills (and knowledge) about what he is doing then the hunt will not go well and he may leave a mess behind him. 

Q7. Do you feel that hunting disrupts the ecology of the animal's living spaces or habitat? (Me)

A7. "There are two types of hunters in this world: Ones that are there to take (who are not a friend to the environment) and those who are there to experience (more in tune)". Those that are there to take and take only often leave trash and animal carcasses and other waste around that disrupt the habitat of the animals. However, those who are there to have an experience are most conscientious and attempt to leave their hunting territory just as they found it (minus and animal or two). (Mark)

Impression: This was an interesting concept to me in regards to hunting but it is also one that I understand very well. I am a firm believer in doing all that you can to leave nature as pristine as possible when visiting wilderness areas and people who don't respect that are not ethical in my opinion. They are selfish and care only about their wants and do not regard the rest of humankind or nature as important. I got a little fired up when discussing this topic because I feel that as humans it is our duty to try and take care of the world the best we can and to care about the other inhabitants on this planet.

Q8. Is hunting "natural" in your opinion? (Me)

A8. "Man has in him to hunt - go and kill." It was not necessary to hunt before the "Fall of man" however since then man has it in his nature. So it is a two-fold answer. No, it is not from man's original nature but yes, it is in his nature as we know of man. (Mark)

Impression: It was mind-opening to see this question answered in this way. I like the way that Mark brought his religion into the answer because he told me that hunting is sort of a spiritual release and I think that we are made as spiritual beings in our own unique ways. 

Q9. How do you feel after you make a kill? (Me)

A9. "Relieved to have succeeded followed by an overwhelming knowledge of the work I have in front of me". It is a series of emotions that stream from elation to the overwhelming sensation of a massive amount of work that is to be done. (Mark)

Impression: I can relate to Mark with this feeling. It is almost a bittersweet moment but one that keeps him coming back and therefore allowing the good to outweigh the bad in a sense. All in all, I was very enlightened in the ways of hunting and also got a feeling for the competition, emotion, skill and work that go into the sport.