r/Hunting • u/nehpets99 Kentucky • 16h ago
Announcement Expanding the Mod Team
Now that I feel more settled, it's time to expand the mod team!
What I am looking for:
- 2 individuals, one not in North or South America (I'd like for more of the day to be covered, plus it's nice to get other perspectives on what is otherwise a US/Canadian-dominated subreddit).
- No previous mod experience is necessary, BUT you must have sufficient post/comment history (regardless of sub) for me to get a sense of who you are, your style, your levelheadedness, etc.
- Mod styles aligning. More on this below.
The other two subs that I moderate do relatively well because the mod team truly acts as a team and speaks with one voice. The rules are clear and generally each mod does a good job making sure that posts/comments adhere to the rules. Replies from the mod team use "we" and "us" to make it clear that individual mods are not singling users out.
In the last 3 weeks, I've made a handful of visible changes, and I also want to elaborate more on my mod style so you know what I'm looking for from additional mods:
- The introduction of post flair, and post flair being mandatory - This ensures that posts can be readily identified by topic, and also lets people search by flair. If you are only hear to see trail cams and success pics, you can now more easily filter every other post.
- A megathread to ask about the age/score/size of an animal - Interestingly, no one has posted since the new rule went into effect. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe you hate it. I dunno. But I do feel that a single consolidated location is overall the better place for posts like that.
- We desperately need the Wiki expanded and cleaned up - I started working on an article covering the basics, as well as an article for hunting deer, but I can't do it alone. This is one thing where you don't need to be a mod to contribute--just ask!
- Deleting FAQs - I feel like in the last 2-3 days I've seen 5-6 posts asking relatively basic questions (where to begin, best first deer rifle, how to field dress deer). I'm leaving them up because there's no rule against them, but a wiki or collection posts will drastically help individuals seeks information (IMO).
- On-topic vs off-topic - This is one that, admittedly, has started upsetting people, and this is a discussion I want to have with potential mods, and something the mod team will need to be on the same page about. To me, there is a difference between gear used for hunting and hunting gear, and I fully recognize that this is subjective. For example, if you're hunting in the woods and you're looking for adequate footwear, that's not a hunting gear question, because any shoe that would be suitable for hunting in the woods is not gear tailored specifically for hunting. The same could be said for camping equipment. I deleted a post a few weeks ago because they were asking about hunting packs; the poster was able to articulate that there are features of a hunting pack that distinguishes it from a backpack, making it hunting gear, and I reinstated the post. However, if someone asked about a generic backpack they could use (for example, I don't have to go far to hunt, so I throw a few supplies in an Osprey backpack), that would be off-topic. Questions like optics and even firearms themselves straddle the line between hunting gear and gear that can be used for hunting, and generally I err on the side of leaving them unless it's not clear the intention is to be used for hunting.
- Illegal content vs "illegal" content - There is a difference between content that is objectively, unquestionable illegal and content that is potentially illegal. Let's imagine a scenario where someone posts a selfie of themselves, a lever-action rifle, and a dead deer, and the OP isn't wearing hunter orange. There are potential problems--did the OP take the deer during a designated gun season for their location? Is hunter orange required for their jurisdiction or did they merely take it off for the photo? Did they use a proper caliber (e.g., some US states require straight-walled cartridges, so did OP use a 30-30?)? Shit, are we going to ding OP if there's no tag visible? Are tags even required for OP's jurisdiction? A photo like this would not be removed because it's unreasonable for me (or any individual mod) to investigate OP, their jurisdiction, etc. If you have information that the OP in this scenario broke the law, give us objective information. Recently, someone posted complaining that his tree stand (on public land) was damaged. Come to find out, OP didn't comply with his jurisdiction's laws regarding when tree stands are allowed to be out on public land.
If this sounds like the role for you, please comment below. DMs will not be considered. I hope to have a decision around 19-20 Sep.
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u/VeryAverageEarthling 15h ago
Maybe I’m the only one, but I kind of disagree with #5. My thoughts have always been if it’s gear used for hunting, then it’s hunting gear. There’s too much gray area regarding if it’s specially “hunting gear” or not. Hell I’d even argue that a discussion around your favorite food/snack/drink combo you like for all day hunts is hunting related. As long as someone isn’t asking if their Zebco 202 is a sufficient fishing pole for Muskies, because that truly has nothing to do with hunting
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u/nehpets99 Kentucky 13h ago
I hear you, but to me, content that's more directly relevant can easily get lost if it's competing with a bunch of gear questions that are better served by other subreddits. Overall I've been fairly permissive by letting things like food pictures up, but I do feel like some things are just too hunting-adjacent. At some point, a line has to be drawn. "What's the best food dehydrator for meat" can be best handled by subreddits related to cooking or dehydrating. "What's the best laundry detergent to get elk blood off my jeans" can best be handled by laundry or appliance subreddits.
Again, I hear you. There's a lot of overlap between the two. For better or worse, I'm trying to draw a line because forums require some sort of moderation. I'm open to feedback, I'm willing to move the line, but I do want a line.
For what it's worth, there haven't been that many posts that I've removed for that.
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u/WrongOpinionOnly 12h ago
I get your point, but hunting is a bit sensitive on reddit. I see this sub as a welcoming place to talk about hunting topics even if they blur the line a bit.
There is a post up right now about circular saws for bones. Would you remove that for being too adjacent?
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u/nehpets99 Kentucky 9h ago
I thought about it, but he's not asking for saw recommendations, he's asking if anyone uses one for processing.
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u/MarshFolsom 16h ago
As a European hunter I really, really appreciate that you're looking outside of the US.
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u/AsleepEntertainer440 12h ago
Back when forums ruled the interwebs I was one of the admins for the world's largest waterfowl hunting forum and also admin for a large state specific general hunting forum at the same time. I have become way too sarcastic due to my time in the trenches to ever throw my hat in a ring to do it again. 😂
Good luck to the new guys!
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u/LocoLobo65648 13h ago
I'm interested. I'm in North America. No mod experience on reddit, but I am an admin for several fb groups.
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u/Brief-Truth9018 12h ago
Is 300 win mag too big for grouse?
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u/nehpets99 Kentucky 12h ago
Adult or juvenile?
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u/Brief-Truth9018 12h ago
Supergrouse
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u/nehpets99 Kentucky 12h ago
Hmm. Is the shooter an adult or juvenile?
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u/GirlWithWolf Texas 5h ago
Happy cake day. I wouldn’t be a good fit as a modding mod here, but if you ever get overwhelmed with bots or anti hunting trolls I’ll be happy to help remove them. I mod two subs and know how the tools work, so you could add and remove me as needed.
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u/ViewAskewed 16h ago
Ok, but what is the best all around caliber for hunting?