Mountain Equiptment Coop supports Anti-hunting with your purchases

[walking buffalo]

Got into this in the hunting thread, I feel all should take a look, whether you hunt or fish or both.

Ya, it is my way of procrastinating with the work I have to do tonight.

Mountain Equipment Coop

Great products? Yes.
Sponsor of anti-hunting organizations ? Yes.

Remember the Stop the Grizzly bear hunt campaign?

http://www.gamewarden.ab.ca/archive/...4/departmt.htm

MEC reorganized, executives left to form and run anti-hunting groups, MEC cleaned up their image to a “neutral” position, while continuing to spend member’s money sponsoring others to do the dirty work.

Like a drug syndicate, the top keeps it’s hands clean, while the subordinates get dirty. The lower to the ground, the dirtier it gets. Follow the money.

MEC
http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text....=1269144006606

To AWA & Y2Y
http://albertawilderness.ca/aboutus/contributors-1
http://www.y2y.net/


To CPAWS
http://cpaws.org/news/bigwild.php
http://cpaws.org/news/archive/2010/0...spended-fo.php

To The Big Wild
http://www.thebigwild.org/
http://www.thebigwild.org/big-wild-partners

To Sierra Club
http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/

To Greenpeace , International Humane Society and many, many more.
http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/quick-li...ithLogos-4.pdf

It only gets more radical from here.

The only associated partner I found that mentions and actively supports hunting and fishing listed in any of these sites is the ACA with AWA.

These lead groups realize that hunting and fishing for food is accepted by the majority of people in society, and have thus cleaned up their public propaganda to ignore the subject.
Will you still be a member of and buy from Mountain Equipment Coop?

[The cooter]

No I won't by from there all though I will do more research into this claim,I would on the other hand support any company against poaching would you agree?

[Don Meredith]

Although you have a point with Green Peace and the Humane Society, I'd be careful painting all these organizations with the same brush. Many are not anti-hunting. They may not outwardly support hunting but they are not explicitly against it. Certain members might be, but not the organization. Like most organizations their memberships include a variety of people.

It's dangerous lumping groups together like this. Collectively, they have many more members than we anglers and hunters, and often fight for the same things we fight for (good habitat, clean environment, etc). They have and can be valuable allies on many issues (e.g., hunt farms).

[Element]

I don't think you've proved anything, just attempted to post a bunch links to support your propaganda and agenda. Many of these organizations are creditable groups and have a desire to conserve our environment. Yes, as mentioned previously you will get extremists in all organizations, including pro-hunting groups.

I am a VERY passionate hunter and outdoor enthusiast, who wants to see our lands and wildlife protected. I'm not going to lash out against a group who is against trophy hunting, because that is not what our sport is about. You may say, this is only beginning. I'm fairly confident there will always be something were allowed to hunt in order to fill the freezers and still enjoy the hunting experience.

The unfortunate reality is we need many of these groups to support the conservation of the environment as there are few well run, pro-hunting, conservation focused non-profits in North America.

Bottom Line..... I will continue to shop at MEC.

[dgl1948]

A year or two ago there was an interview with one of the representatives of MEC in the WESTERN SPORTSMAN. In the interview a very strong anti-hunting message was given. After reading this article I sent an email to MEC asking there position on this. It came back indicating a position much like PETA saying they do not support hunting and the use of animal products, but they were not taking an official position on hunting. If you read the bio's on there directors you can see where this group is leading to. I wish I still had the emails from them. As they were a co-op I asked for my membership back as I was no longer able to support them with there position on hunting and hunters. My membership refund came a few weeks later

[elkhunter11]

A year or two ago there was an interview with one of the representatives of MEC in the WESTERN SPORTSMAN. In the interview a very strong anti-hunting message was given.

I read the same article,and sent an e-mail to them as well to clarify their position.I didn't like the answer that I received,so I no longer spend any of my money at their stores.

[badger]

Take advantage of their high quality outdoor gear for the purpose of being more efficient at hunting or fishing. Try shopping there in full camo.

[ishootbambi]

to anyone who thinks MEC is not anti hunting, walk in and declare yourself a hunter and judge for yourself. the reaction you will get will be immediate and clear. as for the other groups mentioned, don meredith has it right.

[propliner]

I stop into MEC every now and then and fill out a customer comment card at the front. I inform them that I advise every outdoors person I meet not to buy from there because of their narrow stance.

They don't seem to realize that a huge chunk of money allocated towards wildlife preservation and habitat protection programs is provided by hunters like you and me.

[nick0danger]

I dont buy from them cause they are not cheap. There are many other places to get quality gear from that have a better price.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by Don Meredith

Although you have a point with Green Peace and the Humane Society, I'd be careful painting all these organizations with the same brush. Many are not anti-hunting. They may not outwardly support hunting but they are not explicitly against it. Certain members might be, but not the organization. Like most organizations their memberships include a variety of people.

It's dangerous lumping groups together like this. Collectively, they have many more members than we anglers and hunters, and often fight for the same things we fight for (good habitat, clean environment, etc). They have and can be valuable allies on many issues (e.g., hunt farms).

I readily admit I have mixed emotions with organizations such as AWA, CPWAWS, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club. They are very active and effective in protecting natural lands and ecosystems. And I would like to support them for these reasons.

However, the agenda for many of their projects includes NO HUNTING, and even NO FISHING. IF these groups were to openly support sustainable hunting and fishing in their mandate, I would be happy to support them. If they are not anti hunting, then they should say so, they should state that they support hunting. I hope it is a picket fence that they are sitting on.

I have no problem with calling them out on this issue. I feel it is dangerous NOT to bring it up. Just remember areas that have been closed to hunting recently, eg. Spray Valley Provincial Park, part of Y2Y.

Money spent at MEC does go to anti-hunting efforts in Alberta.

[Sneeze]

Originally Posted by badger

Take advantage of their high quality outdoor gear for the purpose of being more efficient at hunting or fishing. Try shopping there in full camo.

Hahaha, Excellent idea... Or maybe a T-Shirt saying something about bringing the grizzly hunt back.

[TheClash]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

to anyone who thinks MEC is not anti hunting, walk in and declare yourself a hunter and judge for yourself. the reaction you will get will be immediate and clear. as for the other groups mentioned, don meredith has it right.

yes and no...i worked there for 5 years and i know many people there that hunt, support hunting and are ok with hunters...however the store itself is not directed at hunters. i have never heard any anti hunting direction from the store i worked at..however the board of governors seems to be moving towards a more liberal anti hunting stance...

i also think it has a lot to do with how many hunter portray themselves....i helped many a hunter in the store that was irate that we do not sell such and such hunting gear in an outdoor store...and of course the lack of camo clothing was always a sore point...well mec is not a hunting store, they never have been nor have they ever claimed to be....i do not go into my local gunshop and get irate because they do not carry the specialized ice climbing gear i am looking for...

the sad truth is that over the last 10 years mec has undergone some major changes. the old guard of managers/governors were all ousted...these were real mountain men that many of them did hunt, have hunted or were not opposed to hunting..these have been replaced with far more peta like ideals and people...infact i often refer to mec as urban chic equipment coop now not mountain equipment coop..it seems to have moved more towards being well equipped to go to your local free range coffee shop rather than the mountains....but the truth is you have a voice...if you have ever purchased something from mec you are a member and you have a vote and you are able to run for office...so if you are that passionate about it...do something.

[Rob Miskosky]

Any of the listed organizations that support "The Big Wild" have to be viewed with suspicion. Protecting 50% of Canada from "people" is a scary road to follow.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by Rob Miskosky

Any of the listed organizations that support "The Big Wild" have to be viewed with suspicion. Protecting 50% of Canada from "people" is a scary road to follow.

Exactly what I am talking about. MEC put up the money to finance the start of The Big Wild project.
Let's call a spade a spade.

The Big Wild
CPAWS has teamed up with Mountain Equipment Co-op, Canada's largest retail cooperative dedicated to supporting people in achieving the benefits of self-propelled wilderness and outdoor recreation, to create http://www.thebigwild.org/ -- a movement for everyone who cares about Canada's wild places.

http://cpaws.org/news/bigwild.php
http://www.thebigwild.org/

[kayaker]

Originally Posted by Don Meredith

Although you have a point with Green Peace and the Humane Society, I'd be careful painting all these organizations with the same brush. Many are not anti-hunting. They may not outwardly support hunting but they are not explicitly against it. Certain members might be, but not the organization. Like most organizations their memberships include a variety of people.

It's dangerous lumping groups together like this. Collectively, they have many more members than we anglers and hunters, and often fight for the same things we fight for (good habitat, clean environment, etc). They have and can be valuable allies on many issues (e.g., hunt farms).

+1
I agree, many organization are not necessarily anti-hunting, they are just not advocates of it. The grizzly issue does not make them fundamentally anti (IIRC). It is important to be vigilant of course and this is not the first time MEC has been fingered in anti hunting and fishing issues (ironically they sell Patagonia which makes a large line of fishing gear and Yvon Chiounard is a keen angler).

I don't have time for a long reply but: the irony is that my kayaking (which is well 'supported' by MEC) has a larger environmental footprint than my hunting : lots of toxic synthetic gear, LOTS of mileage in a summer and I give less back as I pay for nothing to access rivers and admitedly free-ride on the watershed conservation undertaken by others, as its been a while since I volunteered my time and labour for catchment conservation. In fact other than some paddlers who make an effort for conservation education I know almost none who do any conservation work, but enjoy the rivers. As a hunter I contribute through fees, which I am happy to do, drive less and use less gear).

[SLH]

Originally Posted by Rob Miskosky

Any of the listed organizations that support "The Big Wild" have to be viewed with suspicion. Protecting 50% of Canada from "people" is a scary road to follow.

Could you expand on this a little, there is very little detail on their website to what there agenda might really be. Do they want an all exclusive area or just shut down access, what is going on there because it is a very detail sparse site for what they are doing.

[Okotokian]

I think it's pretty clear MEC is anti-hunting. And I also admit I still shop there for some things I just can't get anywhere else.

But as to an example, here is a clear one:

MEC advertsises and sponsors some courses put on by themselves and other organizations. They are listed on their website. One of them is a course put on by the U of C on animal tracking. In the University description it lists one of the uses of the course as hunting. When reprinted by MEC that phrase, and only that phrase, has been deleted. They actually removed the reference to hunting. Everyting else is the same, word for word.

[bsmitty27]

This is not a clear example of anti-hunting. It clearly shows they do not promote hunting which is a totaly different thing.

Originally Posted by Okotokian

I think it's pretty clear MEC is anti-hunting. And I also admit I still shop there for some things I just can't get anywhere else.

But as to an example, here is a clear one:

MEC advertsises and sponsors some courses put on by themselves and other organizations. They are listed on their website. One of them is a course put on by the U of C on animal tracking. In the University description it lists one of the uses of the course as hunting. When reprinted by MEC that phrase, and only that phrase, has been deleted. They actually removed the reference to hunting. Everyting else is the same, word for word.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by bsmitty27

This is not a clear example of anti-hunting. It clearly shows they do not promote hunting which is a totaly different thing.

BS.. Though MEC perhaps doesn't come out and say they are against hunting, they sure as hell do not support it.

Anyone that thinks MEC is a hunter friendly company needs to have there heads examined.

Buy your gear else where, why support people who refuse to support you.

I would even go so far as to say that if you do buy gear there, you are only hurting our great sport. You can find what you want on line.

Jamie

[ex811]

MEC (and the majority of it's employees and customers) is anti hunting no doubt, I wouldn't spend any of my money there supporting their causes...but they do carry some good quality gear. However, as Jamie said previously, you can buy all the products On Line and avoid stepping into MEC. These manufacturers tend not to be pro/anti anything except pro making money, I've no issues with that.

Stopped into 911 and Seals Action gear the other day (Calgary), I'll be doing a bit more shopping there for some clothing and accesories.