"Shoulda seen this s##t comin !!!"
RMC:
I don't know you from Adam, but your above quote was my thought exactly; as the first thing that came to mind when I saw your pix was the unmerciful treatment the "bat shooter" got from this forum a few months ago. He seemed like a nice enough guy, and apparently did nothing illegal or unethical, but the verbal assults he received from some guys on this forum was vicious and personal; just as in ouur case. Wonder whatever happened to him? I don't think he posts here anymore; but is the forum richer without his input and the knowledge he may have been able to share with us?
But RMC is just the latest victim of these judgemental, self-righteous hypocrites. I, and many others, have received the same treatment for other reasons; but you have always been a valued contributor to this forum, so I hope this experience doesn't sour your outlook so that it impacts your future contributions. Personally, I appreciated your sharing those photos; and it was obvious to me that they clearly explained each event as it happened. The coyote approached in a manner that put the decoys in the direct line of fire, you elected not to shoot the coyote face-on as to do so would destroy the dekes, just as the 'yote was about to provide a broadside head shot he saw you and bolted, leaving the only shot his cabose end. And all those events, especialy the final event, happened in split secoonds; so for someone who wasn't on the scene to judge your intent, the results, and your ethics at this late date is the absolute height of hiprocracy!
But even if you had killed that 'yote stone dead, I submit there are those lurking here who would have had issues with your ethics even then; as it is so easy for such individuals to throw their faceless/nameless public barbs and insults from the safety of their homes and offices. To me the bottom line is very simple; if you don't shoot coyotes because they look too much like a dog, you don't eat them, they're yard pets, you enjoy watching them, they don't have feathers, or for whatever other reasons; then fine, that's certainly your right and I/we will respect your decision. But on the other hand, don't sit at your keyboard with some self-righteous high and mighty attitude and make a well-meaning poster feel like a jerk or criminal; you weren't there in his shoes, you don't know all the circumstances, and you or we have no idea how you would have reacted in that same split second instance. Although I'm sure RMC, with the benefit of 20/20 hind-sight, wishes now he had never posted his photos; he doesn't owe anyone an apology, nor does he have any reason to feel the least remorseful for his decision to shoot the coyote. So again, get off his back and let's stop "eating our own"! These kinds of personal attacks serve only to poison the spirit of fellowship that was, and remains the strength of this forum. If the tenor of these negative comments doesn't change, you can bet such behavior will eventually destroy this thing we so enjoy.
