There’s a saying that’s been around hunting camps for generations: “We may not all hunt the same, but we all hunt for the same reason.”

Unfortunately, in recent years, that truth has been getting buried under a wave of division — fueled by social media debates, changing technology, and the growing pressure from those outside our community who don’t understand or respect our way of life.

Scroll through Facebook or YouTube and you’ll see it — hunters tearing down other hunters. Crossbow vs. compound. Rifle vs. bow. Public land vs. private land. Saddle vs. stand. The list goes on. It’s as if we’ve forgotten the simple truth: we’re all on the same team.

Different Paths, Same Passion

Whether you’re slinging arrows at twenty yards or stretching your rifle to two hundred, hunting is still about the same core values — respect for the land, stewardship of the resource, and the freedom to fill your freezer with clean, wild food.

Every season, every method, every weapon comes with its own challenges and rewards. Bowhunters spend countless hours in the woods fine-tuning their craft, getting close, learning patience. Rifle hunters face the elements and put in miles scouting, glassing, and preparing for that one chance at a mature buck. Crossbow hunters are often bridging generations — helping youth, veterans, or hunters with physical limitations stay in the game.

None of those things deserve criticism. They deserve respect.

We should celebrate the diversity in our hunting community, not condemn it. Because it’s that variety — those countless stories, methods, and traditions — that make hunting what it is today.

The Real Threat Isn’t Other Hunters

Let’s be honest. The people who want to end hunting altogether don’t care how you hunt — they just want it gone. And while we argue about broadheads or optics, they’re busy organizing, fundraising, and lobbying to take away what generations before us fought to protect.

When hunters turn against each other, we hand those groups the one thing they’ve never been able to build on their own — division in our ranks.

That’s why we’re saying this loud and clear: be wary of any group or individual who encourages you to look down on another hunter. Those are not your allies. They’re doing the work of the true anti-hunters for them, and believe us, those pockets are deep enough already.

Unity Is Our Strength

If you hunt legally, ethically, and with respect for the animal and the land — you’re our brother or sister in the woods. Period.

We should be proud of the fact that Minnesota’s hunting community includes everyone — the bowhunter in a tree stand, the kid in a ground blind with grandpa, the muzzleloader on a frosty December morning, and the rifleman who’s been walking the same ridge for 30 years.

When we support each other, we make hunting stronger. We create a community that newcomers want to join. We set an example for the next generation that the hunting life isn’t about judgment — it’s about respect, responsibility, and shared purpose.

The Creed We Live By

At MNBOW, we believe that as long as you follow the laws, respect the game, and uphold ethical standards, we’ll stand with you — no matter how you choose to hunt.

We believe in mentorship, not mockery.
We believe in education, not elitism.
And we believe in keeping hunting alive for everyone, not just those who do it our way.

If that’s what you believe too, we invite you to join us — or one of the many other great conservation and hunting organizations across this state. Together, we can preserve the right to choose your weapon, your season, and your own traditions, while standing shoulder to shoulder for the bigger picture — protecting the future of hunting in Minnesota and beyond.

The Bottom Line

The world doesn’t need more critics. It needs more doers. More teachers. More mentors. More supporters.

So next time you see another hunter share their story, even if it’s not how you’d do it, take a second to remember — they’re out there for the same reasons you are. They love the woods. They respect the game. They want to pass that on.

Be ethical. Follow the law. Support your fellow hunter.
That’s not just a motto — it’s a creed worth living by.

And it’s how we’ll keep this tradition alive for generations to come.