Shame that you had such experiences. I haven't had much experience with hatred for hunting but I limit how much I share it. The worst I've had is just mild comments. I limit what I do online and keep hunting photos, stories, etc on hunting forums. I do have a facebook but don't make any posts or use it, I do have a couple photos and one or two are of hunting but thats it. I also only talk about hunting with those I know that hunt or are non-hunters but don't have an issue with hunters. With strangers, new friends, etc you can always test the waters to avoid arguments, just ask if they hunt and if they say no, hate it, etc than you can say I'm ok with hunting and move on. Although certain areas you generally don't have to worry about anti-hunters. In Nebraska I don't worry about anti-hunters but in New York its not a hot conversation topic. I have had some discussions with people whom are against hunting but I won't articulate if someone is angry, yelling, etc. I usually bring up the points its a much more humane death than what their normal deaths would be. Pretty much no wild animal dies of old age (some do like old bull elephants but thats not common) were they usually die of predators, starvation/dehydration, or disease. Plus from a bullet/arrow its much quicker and generally less painful due to adrenalin etc that numbs the pain. Its also obtaining more natural food and not buying it at a grocery store. I ask if they eat meat and just say I'm cutting out the middle man, the cow, pig, etc that they are buying meat of had a worse death than the animals I shoot. It also pays for the conservation of the animals, without legal hunters the animals would be very worse off, over population, poaching, no protection of them or proper management, couldn't provide wildlife sanctuaries, etc as their would be very little money. Anti-hunters provide very little money towards protecting the wildlife. If someone wants to have a friendly discussion then fine, but if someone is going to be rude, mean, etc than just walk away, block them, report them, etc. No need to deal with the stress. All the best.
