That the people who have the tattoos are passionate about what they do, and hunting means so much to them that they are willing to make it a permanent fixture on their body.

Haha, well said crm. I tried to put it nicely, because I think it's not a big deal about what people put on Their bodies, and I was attempting to defend the hunting community. But what you said is Far more accurate.

If only everything in the Bible were taken to heart... What a world that would be. But, a growing number of people are not religious anymore or are members of a more liberal church. But, to each their own. If they chose to tattoo themselves, it is something they will have to live with, whether they like it in 20 years or not.

It's not right to think that there is something wrong with a person because they have a tattoo.

Thereis alot of mistunderstanding about the personality of the person. Some tattoos are fine like one in memory of a love one, butterfly and things of that nature. The ones that do bother me alittle are the ones that are gang related. Things like the gang sign or have a tear under your eye. So have a tattoo of animals I think its fine. I think that there should be a few laws about getting a tattoo. Like, you have to wait 48 hours after you go in a tattoo place to get it done. This way you can be sure that you want to have one. Also you can not be drunk when you get one. After all they are perarment.

I am an ordained minister. I agree that most of what's in the bible is hogwash intended for social control and tax collection. Yet it is also the easiest way to get people headed in the right direction.

There is nothing wrong with skin art to represent something joyful and harmless to society.

I shoot guns and drink beer.

Tatoos are a part of my Native American heritage, and are a First Amendment right.

I have tatoos that serve as a daily reminder of where I have been and how I have survived, and they have their place in the history of the spread of Christianity.

And who cares what non-hunters "think" anyway.

Don't call anybody a Stupid Redneck before you give them an IQ test.

Rednecks have a very positive culture, and they are the backbone of what is left of Amerika.

It sends the message that unlike regular society, hunters are not discriminative of other people for their looks. If a person decides to get a tattoo that is their decision, if a person decides to have a big ol' beer belly, that is their decision. Hunting is a passion, and to many people an obsession, and if a person is proud enough of their hunting heritage to display it on their bodies for the world to see: good for them! What message does it send to our kids or non-hunters if we portray an inaccurate image of ourselves as the white collar, shirt and tie, only clean cut and clean shaven men and women that hunt? Our hunting fraternity is a diverse one and a very welcoming one: I welcome those from different backgrounds and different life styles that make our sport what it is. It doesn't matter what you look like in our sport, all that matters is that you respect the wilderness and respect each other. People need to stop being soo darn politically correct, and just live their lives the way they want to!

Better a tatoo of a deer that is likely covered half the time rather than a naked lady that is visible most of the time.

Whoa and back up a minute, gentlemen. The question was: What kind of message does it send? With 40% of America publicly identifying themselves as conservative, the image of the hunter is not enhanced by a tattoo contest in one of America's premier outdoor publications. Have all the tattoos you wish, but I still contend that tattoos have a negative connotation to a lot of the American public, the kind of people that we want to be in sympathy with our cause. Let the PITA freaks do the outrageous and absurd.

blackdawgz-you should read before you type. I did not condemn anyone for having tattoos, just commented on the message it conveys. My advice to you, is to re-read St. Matthew, and read carefully Chapter 7, verse 1 and 2, and Chapter 12 verse 25.

crm3006
i am a conservative i also have tattoos . i think you may be underestimating just how many Americans or people in the world are in fact tattooed today. i know state police officers some nurses and one judge (a childhood friend) that have ink . and i will tell you what, i will be damned if i am going to live my life in your cookie cutter fashion to gain (sympathy) from anyone . our day to day actions in life speak more of us than the color of our skin or the pictures that are on it . is it ok for soldiers to have tattoos or does that mean because they do they are barbarians bent on death and destruction ?

i have seen babs. post crm. and as i stated before the message i think it sends is that i am passionate about the outdoors . now if i was walking around with 666 and swastikas tattooed on my forehead and face i would say you might very well have cause for concern and have the right to judge me on the spot .any thing short of hate and raciest insignias i will say ask before passing judgement on someone .

i dont think i need to defend any thing on my body . i have never in my 20+ of being inked had one person give me any flack about what they have seen on my body . in fact i have always had just the opposite reaction from people they always want to see all that i have and ask questions about them all.why did i get it ,what does it stand for, who did the work, did it hurt what was the cost and so on.
so i will say you are dead wrong people do differentiate between hate type tattoos and the ones of wildlife, tribal art,names and so on . my next door neighbor is 73 years old and more religious than the day is long .she has seen me out in the yard and garden and called me over to her yard to show off my tats to her friends before . although i am still not sure if they wanted to look at my tattoos or just feel my arms and chest while looking at them . either way it dont matter they were happy and not appalled by looking at them . no harm no foul to me lmao

I think the tattoo thing is a personal choice.

As for F&S running a contest on it, IMO that is more of a play to younger (supposedly hipper) readers. It has absolutely ZERO literary content or value as far as I'm concerned. Does it make F&S (the magazine or the website) a better place to exchange ideas? IMO no. Does it advance our causes with people outside the bounds of the outdoors/fishing/hunting/shooting community? IMO no. I think somebody outside our group would look at a person with ink like that and instantly judge them lesser without any second thought.

Ask this question. Does it help or explain what we are about here, or does it possibly make us more unapproachable and misunderstood?

From what I have seen there is not much the older generations can say the will affect kids' views on tattoos. Most pretty much accept it and think it is cool. Glad I won't be them when they get wrinkles, though.

Skeeb

I'll just go ahead and give you your "Sign" in advance, so "Here's your Sign"! LOL