Under armour drops sponsorship for spearing bear

[Jackalope]

I disagree. I see both. For the sake of this discussion, I'm sitting on the brand side of the fence. I'm clearly a brand fanboy as I own a good 50-60 pieces of UA branded gear, so who better to argue in their favor? That said, I don't disagree with what you guys are saying about the whittling away at our rights. Very truthful argument.

I still think spear chucking is an asinine method of hunting in 2016. Just because we can (or used to), doesn't mean we should be. You mention masochism and IMO, that applies more to arrogant hunters who think promoting the spearing of bears is a good idea in 2016. That's self-inflicted.

So the truth is you've minimized their action in your head because you like and own a lot of their clothes. Your stance on supporting them has more to do with their brand than it does the action they took siding with the antis. To excuse their actions you minimize it by saying hunters only make up 2% of their target audience. Then you further try to downplay companies who support hunters and have the balls to say it by saying they only pander to hunters. All because of a brand symbol.

That's fucked up dude. You're literally siding with the antis because you like a brand. Lol.

 

[Jackalope]

One with inherently more precision than a human throwing a sharp stick.

Accuracy is in the hands of the individual, not the weapon. I've seen people fail controlled hunt tests with a crossbow and the requirement was 3 bolts in a paper plate at 20 yards. WITH A REST! Lol.

It's legal to kill hogs in TX with a spear, or a big knife, or a helicopter with an automatic weapon. Let's just ban all the things we don't personally like because it's not our cup of tea. That's a pretty bad position to take man.

 

[Hunter II]

One with inherently more precision than a human throwing a sharp stick.

Maybe traditional archery should be outlawed TOO.

After that then the antis can come for compounds, then xbows, then muzzleloaders.

 

[cotty16]

In my opinion, if you are going to sell hunting gear, you better be prepared to support all forms of hunting that are legal. I understand it is a business decision to pull the plug on anything and anyone associated with spear hunting to keep customers that are against it, but now the hunting community is in outrage and UA will lose customers that way (not as many, I'm sure).

My question is, if UA never made the decision to drop their sponsorship, would the anti's have a made a big deal about UA? It seems to me that UA generated unneeded press for themselves. Maybe I'm wrong on that one.

I'm like many of you, I could care less about ever hunting a bear over a pile of garbage, but it is legal and some hunters like to do it. As a member of the hunting community, I feel the need to stand behind anyone who harvests animals legally. This doesn't mean I agree with how they do it. To each his own...

UA should've known, regardless of the type of hunting, that at some point they would face backlash from the anti's.

 

[bowhunter1023]

So the truth is you've minimized their action in your head because you like and own a lot of their clothes. Your stance on supporting them has more to do with their brand than it does the action they took siding with the antis. To excuse their actions you minimize it by saying hunters only make up 2% of their target audience. Then you further try to downplay companies who support hunters and have the balls to say it by saying they only pander to hunters. All because of a brand symbol.

That's fucked up dude. You're literally siding with the antis because you like a brand. Lol.

I'm using the brand as a representation for my belief in business acting in it's best interest to protect it's brand. I have a Marketing degree dude, what do you expect? If TOO were in a very similar situation (small percentage of brand representation promoting marginalized actions that inflame our larger demographic) I'd make a similar decision to protect the brand. I am not excusing their actions as it relates to defending or not defending our rights. I'm simply saying as a business decision, what they did was the right move. Not matter how much sand it puts in the collective va-jay-jays of the hunting world. UA will keep on rolling while we make pearls over their failure to support our rights.

And no, I am not siding with the antis because I like the brand. That's extrapolating things a little too far. I side with the brand for making a sound business decision, while removing my personal feelings and beliefs. Aren't you the kind of removing those from a perspective?!? LOL

 

[Beentown]

http://arstechnica.com/science/2011...m-of-favorite-brands-as-threat-to-self-image/

 

[Bigcountry40]

Of course they did. What I find funny is that if a company stood up for their beliefs instead of kowtowing to the social justice warriors they would make more money. It's like they don't realize that the majority of people are too busy to constantly complain. Unfortunately conservatives/libertarians aren't as vocal as liberals. I guess that's something we need to work on.

We are to busy making money, being successful, raising our families, going to church, etc. Liberalism has a lot more free time

 

[Schu72]

I view this like the decision Dick's, Walmart and other made to stop selling "Black" guns. For both of these companies, these sales were a very small percentage of their overall sales. They made a business decision and people freaked the hell out. Companies can make decisions based on what they feel is best for them and consumers can do the same.

 

[Bigcountry40]

I will take that challenge.

I thought the same thing lol, my accuracy was always suspect, but I threw as hard as anyone. Jagermiester may be able to give Jesse a run for his money. James hit his spots on the mound. I apologize for hijacking the thread for a second!

 

[bowhunter1023]

http://arstechnica.com/science/2011...m-of-favorite-brands-as-threat-to-self-image/

HAHA. You obviously don't know me very well if you think my sense of self is that vulnerable. You'll be hard pressed to find someone who spends more time trying to improve my "self" and who knows who they are as a man. To even insinuate that I'd be butt hurt over you guys picking on my favorite clothing company, well... it hurts my feelings. lmao

I could give two shits if you guys shit all over UA from here to eternity. Sincerely. I could care less... #nofucksgiven

 

[bowhunter1023]

I thought the same thing lol, my accuracy was always suspect, but I threw as hard as anyone. Jagermiester may be able to give Jesse a run for his money. James hit his spots on the mound. I apologize for hijacking the thread for a second!

I almost gave Jim the nod as a caveat to my anecdote. Trust me, a friendly throwing competition came to mind! I have little doubt JB can sling some darts. We'd have made a good battery!

 

[Beentown]

HAHA. You obviously don't know me very well if you think my sense of self is that vulnerable. You'll be hard pressed to find someone who spends more time trying to improve my "self" and who knows who they are as a man. To even insinuate that I'd be butt hurt over you guys picking on my favorite clothing company, well... it hurts my feelings. lmao

I could give two shits if you guys shit all over UA from here to eternity. Sincerely. I could care less... #nofucksgiven

You assumed everything above, everything. I posted the link without comment on purpose.

You said you were a fanboi earlier. Your own words. I used that article years ago and found it enlightening in many ways.

Take from it what you will. It is surely spot on for most, they just don't realize it.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Of course. How naive of me to assume those were parallel lines of thought...

 

[Beentown]

Never said that they weren't parallel. Actually saw it as the opposite because you were a self professed fanboi. Great article for self reflection. We all deal with it too a point.

I find most that defend the UA decision lacking foresight or fanboism (radicals look forward be damned the now realities). A similar situation with Glock made me realize I was diving into the fanboi realm (excusing issues basically blindly) and this article was given to me by a friend. It is pretty damn good if you can look past how it makes you FEEL.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I get that. For me, there's no feelings involved. It was a logical, sound business decision on their part. That's the sole reason I support their actions. Outside that, I don't agree with it. I'm not disappointed by their actions as its to be expected and I'm not suprised by the outrage. That too is to be expected. I stated I was a fanboy because I believe in transparency when arguing a topic. That said, I have zero emotional investment in UA or what is thought of them, or me for wearing their clothing and approving of a controversial business move. The article is worth reading and I've certainly been guilty SBC in the past. My devotion to UA is superficial at best.

 

[Big_Holla]

In my opinion, if you are going to sell hunting gear, you better be prepared to support all forms of hunting that are legal. I understand it is a business decision to pull the plug on anything and anyone associated with spear hunting to keep customers that are against it, but now the hunting community is in outrage and UA will lose customers that way (not as many, I'm sure).

My question is, if UA never made the decision to drop their sponsorship, would the anti's have a made a big deal about UA? It seems to me that UA generated unneeded press for themselves. Maybe I'm wrong on that one.

I'm like many of you, I could care less about ever hunting a bear over a pile of garbage, but it is legal and some hunters like to do it. As a member of the hunting community, I feel the need to stand behind anyone who harvests animals legally. This doesn't mean I agree with how they do it. To each his own...

UA should've known, regardless of the type of hunting, that at some point they would face backlash from the anti's.

Completely agree! One thing they likely haven't played out in their "board meetings" is that now that the light has been shown on spear hunting, if it were ever to get banned, what's next?! Do they bow down to the next method because this is a so-called 2% business? Some on here seem to not be registering that in their heads either.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Completely agree! One thing they likely haven't played out in their "board meetings" is that now that the light has been shown on spear hunting, if it were ever to get banned, what's next?! Do they bow down to the next method because this is a so-called 2% business? Some on here seem to not be registering that in their heads either.

Yes they will. It's not their responsibility to put their brand at risk to support the rights of a small percentage of their target market. Your points have been heard and are through my thick skull. Was UA's deal with the Bowmar's signed with the full disclosure that "hey, we throw sharp sticks at bears and plan to promote this conjunction with your brand"? If we want to take the discussion down the path of what UA's obligation is to their sponsorees (and their rights) then we need more information.

Just because you sponsor something does not mean you inherit a right to defend the other person/organization's rights.

 

[giles]

 

[Big_Holla]

Was UA's deal with the Bowmar's signed with the full disclosure that "hey, we throw sharp sticks at bears and plan to promote this conjunction with your brand"? If we want to take the discussion down the path of what UA's obligation is to their sponsorees (and their rights) then we need more information.

Just because you sponsor something does not mean you inherit a right to defend the other person/organization's rights.

I can understand what you are saying with the fine print and all in a contract, what is and isn't spelled out, especially in this situation. We may never know. In my mind though if they are willing to sponsor something you should be willing to back that person/company if they are doing it (no matter what it is) legally. Still my sticking point....so-to-speak LOL! Otherwise they should stick to sponsoring athletes or learn to write contracts more clearer so they can throw out the fact they (TV show) did not live up to their obligations. Instead it just looks and smells like they bailed once things got hot.

 

[Dannmann801]

Normally I try to contribute to a discussion with a well reasoned and erudite response, but today I'm not really feeling it.

I'm sick to fucking death of this mamby pamby pansified pussyfied politically correct country we're becoming.
Fuck the anti-hunting city slicker baloney eating motherfucking hypocrites who have no idea where food comes from.
And fuck people who think hunting is barbaric. And that animals should be worshipped and adored.
Fuck Walt Disney for giving my fucking food a character and a voice.
Fuck people who think I lack intelligence and must be an inbred hillbilly because I like to hunt. I'm smarter than you think, motherfucker.

Know what else? I can't throw for shit. I can't throw a fucking baseball 20 ft. But there is a part of me that would love to harpoon a whitetail (or even a bear).
But I ain't gonna do it, 'cause 1) it ain't legal here and 2) I'd worry about wounding the animal. But if it was legal and I was as confident as I am with my crossbow or muzzleloader, I'd be on the road to deer kabob.

I'm supposed to respect other people's beliefs and feelings. Guess what? FUCK THEM ALL, I'm really fucking fed up and tired of eating shit, and you wanna know why?
I have yet to meet ONE SINGLE MOTHERFUCKING ANTI-HUNTER who hasn't treated me with an air of disdain and contempt. I have yet to meet ONE SINGLE MOTHERFUCKING ANTI-HUNTER who is willing to listen to an opposing viewpoint - willing to even entertain the notion that they might not be right, or that there are any gray areas or room for differing opinions. My wife is the ONLY person I know who doesn't really like hunting but supports my opinion with respect. The only one, period.

So to all the politically active anti hunting community members in the US, please note that I'm renewing my US Sportsman's Alliance membership early, with an extra gift on top of the membership fee. (And to the Alliance I apologize for the harsh language in this post - my poor rambling should in no way be considered a reflection of the high caliber representation you carry out on behalf of sportsmen everywhere.)

FUCK!@ See?!? I felt in order to be politically correct and not reflect badly upon the Alliance, I apologized for my coarse language. Frankly, I'm sick of this conditioning.

Such bullshit.

I hope the numbnut that posted the fistpump gloryshot photo that started this shitstorm at least ate the bearsteaks.

Goddammit


And UA? You want none of me, and I want none of you. And neither of us care about the other, and the world keeps on spinning.