Survey finds hunters, anglers favor John McCain

A survey has found that John McCain holds a considerable lead over Barack Obama in the race to become president — among hunters and fishermen.

Given that there are an estimated 40 million hunters and fishermen of voting age in the United States, there’s some significance to their thinking and it may have helped the current president win two terms.

We all know what happened during the second term: the vice president, on one of his hunting trips, accidentally filled a fellow hunter full of birdshot.

But that’s beside the point. The point is, many Americans consider hunting and fishing — and certainly their right to own guns — part of their heritage and prefer a leader who cherishes those same values and would be inclined to protect those values in an era in which they’re being increasingly threatened.

The survey, conducted by Braun Research, polled 1,009 sportsmen of which 45% said they’d vote for McCain, while 31% tilted toward Obama.

Asked whom they’d rather hunt with, 49% said McCain, 27% answered Obama. As a fishing partner, 44% favored McCain over Obama (31%).

“They’re just not sure how much fun Barack Obama would be in a duck blind,” said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which helped underwrite the survey.

None of this is surprising, since many serious sportsmen are Republicans, and considering that the survey was conducted on behalf of sportsmens’ rights groups that already knew what it would conclude.  Here at Outposts, we support hunting and fishing but will not get political, unless you count the irresistible reference to Dick Cheney’s 2006 nonfatal shotgun blasting of Harry Whittington during a Texas quail hunt.

That was an accident, of course. Accidents happen to everyone.

—Pete Thomas

Photo: Current and former presidents Bush Jr. and Sr., avid sportsmen, return to Walker's Point off Maine after a 2007 fishing expedition. Voters who hunt and fish tend to favor leaders or prospective leaders who share similar values.
Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Robert]

I'm an avid hunter and fisherman. I will be voting for Obama.

[luvwknd]

I hunt & fish and I wouldn't let McShame watch my dog let alone this great country!
He's a FAILED fighter pilot that believes since he failed and spent 5 years as a POW he deserves to be Prez! Well Johnny boy, maybe you shouldn't have voted in favor for GWB policies 95% of the time over the last 8 years AND maybe you shouldn't have a wife young enough to be your daughter AND maybe you shouldn't flaunt your OIL money by owning 5 houses!

McShame is just that, a national shame to this country and if you vote for him and he's elected (very, very doubtful) you will deserve 4 more years of GWB policies!

VOTE OBAMA FOR TRUE AMERICAN CHANGE!

[Jeffrey Fina]

Yea accidents do happen indeed, except when normal citizens have "accidents" like that, it can be called attempted murder. But not Dick, its an accident.

[David, US Army Veteran]

What a ludicrous survey. Hardly worth reporting. Besides, it appears the only hunting McCain seems to know is househunting.

[POLO]

Birds of smae feather flock together

[Hilary Smith]

Look what happened the last time we elected a president you "wanted to have a beer with." I simply can’t understand this point of view. We are choosing the leader of the free world. What am I missing?

[jim]

and this is news?

this group of people have long been known for only caring about their guns and hunting lands. democrats don't have a good track record in this matter. they could care less what anyone does as long as they get what they want. too bad this seems to sum up the majority of people these days

[Derek]

More significantly, here, is that apparently another 24 percent of those surveyed are undecided or otherwise noncommittal-- a far higher percentage than the undecided public generally.

[Robert Stern]

While there may be bozos who would choose the Leader of the Free World and their brain surgeon based on who they'd rather hunt with, I gotta wonder if they've ever thought that the people they hunt and drink with are presidential....LOL!

Perhaps if Obama went out to shoot caged birds (but instead shot an old guy in the face) he'd get their approval?

No presidential candidate will ever prevent hunters and fishermen from doing their thing...unless, of course, they want to use an arsenal of assault weapons to hunt people. Then perhaps even McCain would look askance at it.

Hunting and fishing might get a bit dodgy -- McCain wants to drill "here, there" and everywhere.

[john in Montana]

Contrary to what the reporter says, I find this survey report surprising, here in MT there is a robust sportsmen group supporting Obama. And it is clear to me that though Obama doesn't hunt, wildlife has a better chance under his administration than a McCain administration. ... Guns come up a lot among those that hate Obama in the state, but I don't buy it. Obama's record doesn't concern me, and really John McCain's record is not that good. Besides, our Governor Schweitzer says emphatically that Obama won't take your guns. ... He's not the type to cast his lot in on that issue for political points. I believe him.

I suppose most of these folks are just registered Republicans. I don't think Montana has party registration, but I've always considered myself an Independent. I voted Nixon once, Ford once, Regan twice, old Bush once, Perot once, Clinton once, Gore once, and young Bush once.

Ha! it looks pretty funny when I put it all out there.

[Ces614]

Great... just what I wanted to hear my fellow anglers are just as retarded as the other 49% who want Grampy MCSame in office. Geez people, if want to have any resources left we'd better vote for someone who has a decent environmental record (Obama!). Or I guess we can all just fish off the oil rigs...

[T.A. Landrum]

well duh... Why would hunters ever vote for someone that does not like guns? Most hunters also fish as well.

[timebanded@cox.net]

With the republicans record on environmental issues, you have to be dumber than the day is long to be pro McCain if your an avid hunter or fisherman.

[primarywatcher]

Boy oh boy, slow day for news today! Rednecks for McCain - go figure...

[theo]

if things continue as they are, in 10 years most folks won't be able to afford hunting.

as if that's the most serious criteria right now given the dozens of huge messes we're in.

what an empty story. enough already.

[Jack Johnson]

OF COURSE....people who kill things LOVE John McBush! What a surprize! Of course they also love WAR ...where LOTS OF LIFE IS killed...then these great sportsman completely change their dumb dumb BUBBA SPORTMEN minds and are "PRO LIFE. Their mothers should have opted for PRO CHOICE and ridded the world of these SPORTSMEN!!

[Matt]

I think it's fair to say most hunters and fishers don't want a black man anywhere near Washington. I think it's less shared values than it is "no blacks for president." this is not making race an issue, this is a long-held hallmark of so-called "sportsmen."

[will]

31% for Obama among this crowd ought to be considered a major victory. Though I think dividing the population down to somewhat arbitrary 'voting blocs' is pretty unnecessary. I have a feeling that if you were to break it down into above/below 50th percentile I.Q. Obama would have a convincing lead.

[Robert]

I'm an avid hunter and fisherman. I will be voting for Obama this fall. Our public resources need to remain public. I'm tired of losing more and more state and federal land to private industry. I'm tired to conservative laws restricting my access to land.

[Andrew]

It makes sense. Hunters and anglers usually aren't the most intelligent people.

[Marks]

A lot of those "hunters" and "fishing folks" are recreational, occasional and not very good at it, regardless they are licensed for Safety in states.

The NRA hammers those supposed Republicans in magazines stirring up fears that guns might be confiscated along side articles that show new clips for the .45 hand gun that now shoot 30 rounds.

Weapons for "collectors" in a hunting magazine that aren't allowed for hunting purposes.

The newest 12 gauge automatic shotgun in a fishing magazine, nearby fishing poles and tackle boxes advertising. What inference can be found there?

If hunters want to believe in their guns while Federal Economic policies ruin their life savings and end jobs, I guess their happy to keep GOP in the White House.

I say to them step away from sniffing the gun oil. Put the stink bait down you fishing folks! Smell what the GOP has been cooking for the last 8 years, that really stinks!

All those 4X4's are increasingly useless in the garage because people can't afford to fill them up anymore. Manipulated gas prices are White House allowed.

No shortage of oil exists but pump jockeys here and around the world are shorting gasoline production for profits sake.

Job and investment losses are Bush economical policies that failed Americans.

Bush signed the legislation that cut Corporate taxes. Executives got paid more, workers lost jobs. Much fraud on Wall Street since Bush became President ruining 401K savings.

McCain ruined DHL in Ohio specifically allowing the company to be bought by a foreign conglomerate.

When hunters and fishing folks are Republican, they don't have to be stupid!

[AMAL]

THIS IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE GO HUNTING IN A FULL STOMACH, HOW SHAMEFUL THAT WE KILL INNOCENT ANIMALS FOR OUR FUN AND GAMES, I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR SOME ONE WHO HAS NO HEART FOR KILLING INNOCENT BEINGS. THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO CAN KILL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE AND NOT LOSE SLEEP, THE SAME BUSH THAT GOES HUNTING OFTEN IS ACTUALLY PRACTICING SO WHEN THEY KILL THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY. I WISH THAT ONE DAY HUNTING BECOMES ILLEGAL SO WE HUMAN CAN BE CHECKED BECAUSE WE DONT OWN THIS PLANET ALONE, ALL THE LIVING THINGS ARE EQUAL PARTNERS.

[chris]

gee what a shocker, country white folks don't favor the Black candidate for pres.

[Dave]

this just in: survey finds people with brains prefer Obama.

[Rocky]

What a stupid poll
Who cares what hunters and anglers think about anything?

[Michael]

This is what passes for hard hitting journalism these days, pathetic....

[B58]

I am an avid angler and participant in outdoor sports, as well as an Obama supporter. Barack Obama can fish in my boat any day.

[The anti-AMAL]

AMAL:

You are far more enlightened than the rest of us. Biologically, I am a carnivore. Nature has placed me at the top of the food chain. I believe in nature, not God, not man, but nature. And nature has provided me with lesser creatures for my nutrition and sustenance. Trust me, your lack of respect for me is oh so distressing.

Tell the lions and tigers "we're all equal partners!" Serisouly, get a grip on reality.

And, learn how to turn your CAPS LOCK off.

Oh, and please don't be so ignorant to think that the U.S. is the only country where people hunt "on a full stomach." I'm originally from Austria, a country with a financially comfortable population... hunting is well respected and a very popular pasttime as well. Maybe you aren't so enlightened after all.

On the original post topic, I wouldn't want to hunt/fish with either tweedle-dumb or tweedle-dumber. They're both elitists looking to impose their cultural views on others... just like AMAL. The only world in which AMAL will be happy is one with no diversity, in which everyone looks/thinks just like him/her.

[Bud]

I'm an angler, I'd rather fish alone and have Obama be the President of the United States.

[Kathleen]

This angler supports wild fish, clean water, healthy watersheds, a smart energy policy, and Obama!

[Emily]

Often people vote for whom they feel comfortable with. This isn't wrong... and if 'birds of a feather flock together" then usually those with the same beliefs may seemingly enjoy the same activities. I don't think it is fair to rail these people for voting in this manner. It isn't hard to believe, and shouldn't be made fun of.

Seriously.

[JD]

I love reading all of your liberal dribble, it makes me laugh.

[John Galt]

I like how people assume that all hunters and anglers are of a lesser intelligence just because they don't sip espressos and chai tea in some starbucks somewhere. Just because someone lives in the country and hunts and fishes does not mean they are any more or less intelligent than anyone else.

[Bob]

Not all anglers prefer McCain... Go BO!

[Dennis]

Consider the numbers. Among the minority group of sportsmen--of which I am one--just 14% favor McCain over Obama. What does that translate to in actual numbers and why does that pathetically low number rate a news story?
Are we perhaps witnessing more media bias, or perhaps, more realistically, more media manipulation of the available information

[David McGuire]

Let me get this straight: rednecks like the old, white career soldier-turned politician who voted against the MLK holiday?
Of course they do! 'Maverick' is the encore to Bush's pitiful Cowboy act. The rednecks will eat it up!

File this under 'How is this news?'

[PJK]

Just because they'd like to go fishing or hunting with him doesn't mean they'd vote for him.

Hell, the guy can't even tell you how many houses he really owns.

His fishing and hunting stories are probably just as believeable.

[James]

Another horribly biased story brought to you by the LA Times. This is probably the least news worthy piece I have ever seen, err If it wasn't for all the other lamo stories the Times puts out.

LET PEOPLE PICK THE PRESIDENT ON THEIR OWN AND STOP USING SLICK MEDIA TACTICS TO INFLUENCE THE VOTE!

[Al J]

I want to defend John McCain from all this slander. I'm a sportsman and owner of several successful companies in the petroleum business. I support John McCain. If the Democrats win I believe they will introduce tax policies which which will harm my industry's incentive to bring oil to YOU. Many of us in the oil industry are sportsmen too, and have a good record of minimizing environmental issues at the same time meet the demand for energy.

[sculler1956]

Let me get this straight.... a guy who graduated just off the BOTTOM of his class from the Naval Acadamy..... who in 20 hrs of flying WRECKED every(?) plane he had assigned to him.... and is so "IN TOUCH" that he can't remember how many houses he owns..... We want him to be President??? Doesn't the last 7-1/2 years show we need someone SMART in that role?

[Bobby]

In two and a half months, Obama will have plenty of time to go hunting and fishing.

McCain is going to be too busy setting up his new Cabinet.

[Bo]

Yeah, the Onion has total details on this kind of election coverage. I believe McCain is strongest with hunters and anglers who have at least 2 but not more than 5 vowels in their name. Keep up the top notch journalism!

[Frank Smith]

I came across this story from my iGoogle start page. Like most, I saw the article as a big rsounding "duh". What's surprising and terribly disappointing, is the snide and rude remarks made by so many who are for Obama. "retarded ", " dumb dumb BUBBA SPORTMEN " "Hunters and anglers usually aren't the most intelligent people" "Who cares what hunters and anglers think about anything" . Um, folks, the best trait in intelligence, culture and cilvility boils down to good old fashioned manners. Calling someone names because they don't agree with you is something most of ours moms taught us not to do as children. It's been my experience that the quicker someone resorts to namecalling or yelling, the more likely they are to be unable to defend their position in a serious and calm debate. This election should be determined by careful consideration and thought by everyone. The fact that someone doesn't agree with you is by no means a sufficient reason for name-calling. And lastly, yep, I hunt and fish. I also have an I.Q. of 148, enjoy the occasional cup of chai and listen to classical music while I do the Sunday crossword in pen. So be careful with the glittering generalities of uneducated, stupid rednecks. You're assuming, and you know what happens when you assume? You make an ASS out of U and ME.

[Sharon]

My family has always fished - freshwater and ocean. We also own two Vizlsas - Hungarian bird dogs. Yes, we hunt as well.

We are not supporting John McCain. This gentlemen has been found to lie right an left with a straight face. His whole history has been based upon living life on the edge and making poor decisions.

We are not worried about any new laws taking our gun rights away for hunting.

Go Obama!!!

[Pauline]

If the American people have not had enough of GWB and his antics, then we deserve whatever is coming our way...I was alot better off, 8 years ago. JM is another Bush Boy..and his presidency would be an extension of Bush policies. The turmoil that the republicans put this country in should be considered a crime. WE NEED TIME TO RECOVER From this mess.

They keep saying Obama isn't ready to lead...well where were we led the last eight years? and under whose watch? The Ivy league C student. Yeah he sure was ready to lead..(If daddy and Jeb can do it, so can I)..led us to recession, war, failed policies, lies etc etc

JM is an older George Bush, let he and his heiress wife go somewhere and spend their millions while the rest of us try and put our children through college, keep our homes out of foreclosure, hope our jobs aren't outsourced to China all the while finding a way to pay for health insurance and $4/gallon gas. America the beautiful.

This country had better wake up before we all meet the same fate as the Romans. A wise man once said "we had better learn to live together as brothers or die together as fools"..

[wilder5121]

No self-respecting hunter or fisherman would ever support the corrupt Republican party, whose mission is the destruction and sale for development of every last wild place in America, and the dismantling of all the protections which keep natural systems and animal populations healthy.

The GOP and their owners dream of the day when every inch of America is condominiums and parking lots...and work feverishly toward that goal.

These "hunters" and "anglers" surveyed in this poll must be mega-millionaires who do canned hunts on their private estates...like Dick "Elmer Fudd" Cheney.

[CuriousJack]

I find the majority of comments here very interesting. According to many of the posts, hunters and fishermen are all ignorant rednecks. I didn't know that. I will have to inform my family and my hunting partners just how ignorant they are. I guess the Nuclear Engineer, the Electrical Engineer, the Doctor of Anatomy and Neurophysiology, the Cardiologist, the Law Professor and the CEO of a $1,000,000,000 company will just have to accept their lower positions in life. On second thought, I won't do that because we also hunt with a farmer, a firemen, a policemen and a machinist. It just wouldn't be polite to insult them. We are so backwards that we actually judge people by their character. You see, we are not as elite and omniscient as many of the posters.

Granted, our choices this election cycle are less than perfect. Having said that, I will be voting against Obama. In Illinois he supported the handgun ban in Chicago. He also voted against the bill that prohibited prosecuting people who use a handgun to protect their family in a justifiable self defense situation. The Illinois bill was created to protect a husband and father who defended his wife and two children by shooting an armed robber who broke into his house. He had just moved into the state and didn't know he had to register his handgun. Most states don't require registration. The whole idea of a President who doesn't acknowledge the right of citizens to protect themselves against violent criminals frightens me.

I also disagree with his tax plans for reasons too numerous to mention. His views on foreign policy are foreign to me. His economic education leaves a lot to be desired too. He may be a great law professor and community organizer but I am looking for a CEO with experience to run this country.

Having said that, I don't expect you to agree with me but I do expect you to be civil, polite and respectful. I don't think that is asking too much from individuals who obviously are well educated and culturally refined.

I hope you are being honest and really are outdoors men. I am a bit skeptical because I have never heard so much hate and vitriol from the hunters and fishermen I have had the pleasure of knowing.

[Cameron]

I just read a study concluding petty name calling towards presidential candidates is inversely proportional to I.Q. Thank you fortifying my personal distaste for not just the democratic party, but the individuals who comprise it.

[Jeffrey]

Judging by the character exhibited by the above Obama boosting posters, I'd much rather align myself with hunters and fisherman.

[Armand]

Wow what a bunch of whiny LA LA LAND losers - Republicans are evil - induced labor abortions good! Obama has loser written all over him - prepare yourselves.

[Joe Hopkins]

those who claim to be avid hunters voting for obama? how'd you feel being bitter gun toting people? or what are you going to do when obama selects an anti gun supreme judge? you hunters? likely story.

[TypicalRetardedLefty]

McSame. McSame. Panama John. McSame. Polly Wants a Cracker! McSame. Senile, senile, senile, senile. McSame. McSame. Polly Wants a Cracker! Polly Wants a Cracker! McSame. McSame. McSame. McSame. McSame. Bottom of his class! Bottom of his class! Keating, Keating. McSame. Senile, senile, senile. Old man. Confused. Old man. Confused. McSame. McSame. McSame. Polly Wants a Cracker. Senile old man. McSame. Really shows his age! Really shows his age. Old. Old. Senile. Senile. Polly Wants a Cracker! SQUAWK! Old. McSame. Senile.

[Joe Mama]

Liberals are moronic, just keep defending Obama. The dude is an idiot without a teleprompter and keeps company with evil people. You'd have been better off with Clinton.
MCAIN IN A LANDSLIDE!!! Calling it now

[Iraq Vet Marine]

I sure would not want to share a blind with Barry Obama. He complains so much and cry's like a little girl. He needs to stick to "community organization" whatever the hell that is.

[Marine Iraq Vet]

"Boy oh boy, slow day for news today! Rednecks for McCain - go figure..."

This attitude is typical of liberals. This is also why many Americans that don't drink martinis and drive a Prius or a BMW are skeptical of someone like Obama. We don't want to be like Germany or France. We don't want a socialist society. We are individuals and proud of our country. You are supposed to be tolerant but you do nothing but attack a large part of American culture. It is disgusting.

[ASH]

I am with Jack, Jeffery & Cameron, every article i see with comments such as these above solidify my position that Sen. Obama is not right for this country. The more left the comments the more crazy they sound.

[LeafLover]

People who hunt and fish are nothing more than recreational killers. It's time to elect a sane man for President, Barack Obama, who will begin to turn our nation away from these cruel "pastimes" and towards humane pursuits. And to get rid of guns! Who needs a gun anyway?

[Bud]

I hunt and fish AND I'm a tie-dyed hippie treehugger AND I am a university graduate AND although I DO NOT CARE FOR CHAI TEA, I am behind Barack 125%.

I can't understand why sportsmen are OK with environmental destruction ...

[Dewey]

Oops!

Excuse me.

I was looking for the exit and it appears I have found the line for the shock treatment.

Hope its successful for you!

[Stoney]

I find this survey report interesting, but contrary to its findings most of the people I fish and hunt with are fed up with anything resembling the Bush administration. McCain is not the maverick he was 8-years ago, he has sold out for the sake of his own amibiton.
After 8-years, it is clear this adminstration has been a disaster for the environment, the middle class, and our international good will.
McCain supports this president who waves the flag yet has little genuine regard for our military. Bush's actions speak louder than words, and he's proved that. Don't forget that with McCain's backing they didn't support a veterans bill to give our young men and women in uniform the resources they need to re-enter civilian life. Instead, we have patriotic young men and women returning home who have catastrophic injuries and little if any support.
Speaking as a Viet Nam vet we shouldn’t forget, Bush is the guy born with a spoon in his mouth who had his daddy insure he would not see combat by having him protect Texas from an invasion by Oklahoma.
It's a shame the "sportsmen" that responded to this survey in support of McCain don't understand that the continued erosion of our Bill of Rights and our Constitution will destroy our future liberties and ultimately our nation.
One would think people would be smart enough to recognize that we need a dramatic change. We have too few statesmen and too many politicians. Politicians pay attention to two things, money and votes.
Lets protect our country's foundation first. If Obama doesn't pay enough attention to sportsman we can always assemble our 60-million plus votes and let him know we expect change, but give him the power now to protect us all from the military industrial complex President Eisenhower warned us about 60-years ago.

[Tenacious P]

I loved reading these comments!! I have some questions and opinions to relay, myself.
"I guess the Nuclear Engineer, the Electrical Engineer, the Doctor of Anatomy and Neurophysiology, the Cardiologist, the Law Professor and the CEO of a $1,000,000,000 company will just have to accept their lower positions in life.." C'mon, that sounds a little contrived. Did you Google those professions? A whole group of you happen to hunt together in the land of Narnia maybe? Do you shoot Unicorns and Leprechauns? Do you take baths in the petty cash from the CEOs company?
And to the crazy AMAL, you go to the store on a full stomach. This is how you avoid impulse purchases, trust it from a Marketing grad. Animals killed in the wild help control the population (because we are losing predatory animals such as wolves, bears etc.) , they are not injected with hormones/steroids, they do not pollute ground water with their waste and the meat is better for you in relation to cholesterol and fat content. Read a book.
Obama is the best option. Quit trash talking entire political parties, it comes down to candidate v. candidate.

[Frank]

Those of us who have experienced combat know that we weren't fighting for our country, we were fighting for the men next to us.

Later we realized we were fighting for our country because the men next to us was our country; black, white, red, yellow, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or whatever. McCain learned that; it's to bad his supporters haven't. It's time we came together again as Americans.

Chances are you or me will never share a boat or duck blind with either McCain or Obama; an who gives a who gives a rat's ass anyway. I want this country back in the control of the people and Obama seems the guy to start that process....and I don't care if he's purple, never shot a gun, or held a rod.

We call are selves sportsmen; if we want to keep that name then let's show some sportsmanship and let the best team win.