The message we’re sending…

[lyagooshka]

#5765

Maybe I’m looking too much into this, but… It was my son’s 6th birthday yesterday. We had his party at a local arcade-type establishment. There were games, laser tag, tickets they could trade in for various trinkets, etc. There was also some “refreshment” for the grown-ups. It was a nice time for young and old alike.

My question/issue is about one certain game that I walked by. This was a shooter. But unlike the zombies and aliens from “Area 51”, this was a “hunting” game (a similar one is available for home use from a major “sporting goods” store). Basically, it was 2 rifles and a large screen. Players got to pick their “venue”. Some possibilities were the hardwood forest (where every buck grossed at least 250 B&C) and Africa (where every predator known to man was walking back and forth broadside along with elephants, gazelles, and various other mammals and birds).

The game had “pump” type rifles. This was a bit misleading because after a little closer examination, the “pump” was actually the “re-load”. You had 5 shots (semi-auto) and then you could reload and keep at it. Object was to kill as many things as you could in the time allotted.

Now, maybe I am thinking too much about it. I mean I grew up on Bugs Bunny and Wile E. Coyote and I turned out okay (debatable based on who you ask, but still). We have nowhere the violence in those cartoons today, but then again anvils are pretty heavy. If they were lighter, would I have tried to drop one on the family dog? No, but I am sure someone would have (just think about the lawsuits that have happened over the years for that very reason).

But there is another issue I noticed. This game was not just a typical game. There was quite a bit of thought that went into this. Even though one was pink and the other powder-blue, those rifles were pretty realistic. As far as the animals (I cannot speak for Africa, but the hardwoods, yes), they were pretty much spot-on. For example, if you missed, the deer would scatter in almost exactly the way that they do in real life when I walk through the woods (I don’t even try to be quiet any more). With today’s CGI and special effects, the line between fantasy and reality can be somewhat blurred at times.

I know this is not archery, but it does relate to hunting. It also relates to the message we are sending to children about hunting and about game animals and about a whole bunch of other things. I don’t think my son could sit for 4 hours waiting for a deer to maybe walk by. I know I can’t. And why bother when for $1 you can slaughter hundreds of animals on any corner of the planet, all within minutes from the house. What are games like this doing to today’s kids? Is there an issue there or am I just over-reacting? Would love to hear some opinions.

Be well,

Alex

😕

[strait-aero]

#44615

I agree wholeheartedly,Alex….the reality of the games are astonishing and the amount of violence is next to none. I see this as sending a very bad interpretation of what hunting is all about. That’s why I feel it is very important that we mentor youngsters in learning what the out of doors and animals we hunt are all about. We need to be concerned with the message we are sending to override the messages games and the commercial world are sending. I totally agree with you and your concerns. Wayne

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