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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
I love shooting, and shoot 2 or 3 times a week. I use a variety of pistols in different calibres, but also practice with my Marlin 60 a .22 rifle with 14 rounds in the mag.
I will also be hunting this fall. In Alberta it is an integral part of the wildlife conservation programme. You draw a tag, and are told what to hunt and where. You have very little choice. Where and what you hunt is based on deer population around the proivince, for instance. Trophy tags are fwer and more expensive. I used to agonize about people shooting tropphy animals - after all, aren't you taking out the biggest and most healthy animal? Wouldn't that continually weaken the species? A few thoughts on this: the trophies are male - they have the racks not the females (no- I won't go there!). The females are far more important to the survival of the species. The males, by becoming dominant have already "spread their seed" throughout the herd. However, they are also at the pinnacle of their career and face near term expulsion from the herd by a newer, stronger and fresher rival. Their future consists of a a lonely death from hunger and predation. Hunting trophy animals has actually led to larger trophy animals - hence the year on year increase in the number of record animals take. Take hunting and predation out of the picture and what you get is one of two things: in certain circumstances a static population, with fewer young and an older adult herd that is very vulnerable to disease (since they are older and have fewer young to replace them); an exploding population that becomes unsustainably large, leading to death by starvation of most of the herd. Predation is taken out of the picture by human population growth: and if you live in the UK and want to come to Canada, but believe we should leave the wolves alone, then stay home and do not come and add your footprint to Canadian soil! LOL The mere fact that people live here has already changed the balance - that is why we need conservation management! And like MMC has mentioned - you either pay someone to cull the animals or you sell the tags. A prime Rocky Mountain Ram tag can raise $20,000 for conservation, plus create jobs and put many more dollars into the local economy. And yes, hunting is killing things - it's not catch and release! There is no hunt without the kill. The kill has been part of our social frameowrk for far longer than it has been looked down on. And in fact that kill is going on right now so you can have your morning bacon. It's just that most of us are not involved in the killing part, just the eating part. We pay immigrants minimum wage to rip the throats out of cows and pigs. I have come to a personal decision that, if I cannot kill a deer, butcher it and carry it out, then I should not eat meat, period! Any meat, from any source. (I'm not saying I'd have the moral commitment to carry out that threat though! :) I do like a bacon sarnie!) And I would rather have that defenseless animal die a quick death after living a natural life, than a slow lingering death from hunger, disease, cold or parasites due to over population. By the way: there are more moose, deer, black bear etc in Alberta today than 100 years ago. Could be that these conservation practices work? |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Caitilin
(Post 7913995)
I know a few hunters, and they are supplying me with all the game for 50 people for a winter feast! and yes, I get to cook it all ;-) My share is the fat for soap making - not much, but what I want.
One point on bow and arrow - make sure you have a backup as they don't all kill instantly and you don't want the animal to suffer. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7914009)
I love shooting, and shoot 2 or 3 times a week. I use a variety of pistols in different calibres, but also practice with my Marlin 60 a .22 rifle with 14 rounds in the mag.
I will also be hunting this fall. In Alberta it is an integral part of the wildlife conservation programme. You draw a tag, and are told what to hunt and where. You have very little choice. Where and what you hunt is based on deer population around the proivince, for instance. Trophy tags are fwer and more expensive. I used to agonize about people shooting tropphy animals - after all, aren't you taking out the biggest and most healthy animal? Wouldn't that continually weaken the species? A few thoughts on this: the trophies are male - they have the racks not the females (no- I won't go there!). The females are far more important to the survival of the species. The males, by becoming dominant have already "spread their seed" throughout the herd. However, they are also at the pinnacle of their career and face near term expulsion from the herd by a newer, stronger and fresher rival. Their future consists of a a lonely death from hunger and predation. Hunting trophy animals has actually led to larger trophy animals - hence the year on year increase in the number of record animals take. Take hunting and predation out of the picture and what you get is one of two things: in certain circumstances a static population, with fewer young and an older adult herd that is very vulnerable to disease (since they are older and have fewer young to replace them); an exploding population that becomes unsustainably large, leading to death by starvation of most of the herd. Predation is taken out of the picture by human population growth: and if you live in the UK and want to come to Canada, but believe we should leave the wolves alone, then stay home and do not come and add your footprint to Canadian soil! LOL The mere fact that people live here has already changed the balance - that is why we need conservation management! And like MMC has mentioned - you either pay someone to cull the animals or you sell the tags. A prime Rocky Mountain Ram tag can raise $20,000 for conservation, plus create jobs and put many more dollars into the local economy. And yes, hunting is killing things - it's not catch and release! There is no hunt without the kill. The kill has been part of our social frameowrk for far longer than it has been looked down on. And in fact that kill is going on right now so you can have your morning bacon. It's just that most of us are not involved in the killing part, just the eating part. We pay immigrants minimum wage to rip the throats out of cows and pigs. I have come to a personal decision that, if I cannot kill a deer, butcher it and carry it out, then I should not eat meat, period! Any meat, from any source. (I'm not saying I'd have the moral commitment to carry out that threat though! :) I do like a bacon sarnie!) And I would rather have that defenseless animal die a quick death after living a natural life, than a slow lingering death from hunger, disease, cold or parasites due to over population. By the way: there are more moose, deer, black bear etc in Alberta today than 100 years ago. Could be that these conservation practices work?
Originally Posted by fledermaus
(Post 7914031)
There are pretty stiff rules on bowhunting. The poundage - draw - of the bow the minimum length of arrow, the type of point used. It's not the weapon that doesn't kill instantly but the amount of skill the hunter has. The same as for guns.
Yes - you certainly can't have a back up gun in bow hunting season - and tbh if you do not think you are capable of killing with one shot - you shouldn't be bow hunting. Its a tough sport. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by fledermaus
(Post 7912344)
It depends on how close is close. Unless you throw the knife you have to be close enough to make contact, close enough for it to become risky for you, let alone the squeamish factor.
Five feet is distance enough and easy enough to hit. I could hit a human at 30 feet using a long bow and an arrow, I imagine using a gun with no sights would be similar. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7914009)
I will also be hunting this fall. In Alberta it is an integral part of the wildlife conservation programme. You draw a tag, and are told what to hunt and where. You have very little choice. Where and what you hunt is based on deer population around the proivince, for instance. Trophy tags are fwer and more expensive.
I used to agonize about people shooting tropphy animals - after all, aren't you taking out the biggest and most healthy animal? Wouldn't that continually weaken the species? A few thoughts on this: the trophies are male - they have the racks not the females (no- I won't go there!). The females are far more important to the survival of the species. The males, by becoming dominant have already "spread their seed" throughout the herd. However, they are also at the pinnacle of their career and face near term expulsion from the herd by a newer, stronger and fresher rival. Their future consists of a a lonely death from hunger and predation. Hunting trophy animals has actually led to larger trophy animals - hence the year on year increase in the number of record animals take. Take hunting and predation out of the picture and what you get is one of two things: in certain circumstances a static population, with fewer young and an older adult herd that is very vulnerable to disease (since they are older and have fewer young to replace them); an exploding population that becomes unsustainably large, leading to death by starvation of most of the herd. Predation is taken out of the picture by human population growth: and if you live in the UK and want to come to Canada, but believe we should leave the wolves alone, then stay home and do not come and add your footprint to Canadian soil! LOL The mere fact that people live here has already changed the balance - that is why we need conservation management! In so much people want the predator removed, and in some cases because it preys on “hunted†animals Knock on effect is the prey species grows at an excessive rate, and thus justifies the need for the hunt In large unpopulated area, this practice isn’t needed as a degree of balance is still maintained Also natural control by predators is and always will be better for the species as it removes weaker slower animals than modern “hi-techâ€hunting which tends to go for what is fashionable on the wall or dinner table.. Nice try but biologically/ecologically your logic is slightly flawed |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by MikeUK
(Post 7914799)
Nice try but biologically/ecologically your logic is slightly flawed |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 7914772)
Do you give half your deer to the poor?
:rofl: I don't hunt. I'm not a good enough aim. Apart from that I prefer to pay people to do the dirty work. That's what butcher's shops are for. I have no objection to responsible hunting. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
1 Attachment(s)
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by fledermaus
(Post 7914031)
There are pretty stiff rules on bowhunting. The poundage - draw - of the bow the minimum length of arrow, the type of point used. It's not the weapon that doesn't kill instantly but the amount of skill the hunter has. The same as for guns.
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
I honestly don't understand how people feel it's fine to kill an animal for a bit of fun. It's soulless and destructive behaviour. Perhaps it's worth considering if there might be re-incarnation and that you might come back to earth as a hunted animal, not to mention having to answer to God for this kind of cruelty.
Shoot at a range! |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by elizabeth_action
(Post 7928105)
Shoot at a range!
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by elizabeth_action
(Post 7928105)
I honestly don't understand how people feel it's fine to kill an animal for a bit of fun. It's soulless and destructive behaviour. Perhaps it's worth considering if there might be re-incarnation and that you might come back to earth as a hunted animal, not to mention having to answer to God for this kind of cruelty.
Shoot at a range! a) bothered to read this thread b) attempted to understand others positions. Hunting (in Canada) is not simply about killing an animal for fun. Do yourself a favour and at least read the posts by MMC and Triumphguy if nobody elses. They sum up the reasoning behind hunting (and the issue of tags) better than I could even try to do in just one post. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy
(Post 7928155)
Then I honestly dont believe you have:
a) bothered to read this thread b) attempted to understand others positions. Hunting (in Canada) is not simply about killing an animal for fun. Do yourself a favour and at least read the posts by MMC and Triumphguy if nobody elses. They sum up the reasoning behind hunting (and the issue of tags) better than I could even try to do in just one post. Very simply, we only want to kill/cull these animals because we're there to do it. They managed fine without human intervention. Being a vegetarian notwithstanding, I think it's fine to kill animals as a matter of need. I don't think the indigenous indian populations felt the need hundreds of years ago to cull the animal population. They just took the animals they needed to survive and let nature do the rest. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by elizabeth_action
(Post 7928273)
I have read these posts. Animals regulated their own species well before people decided to cull them.
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by elizabeth_action
(Post 7928273)
I have read these posts. Animals regulated their own species well before people decided to cull them. Culling is just a way of keeping their numbers down to a balance that suits us in some way. Shooting animals can be explained in many ways, but 'because they need us to do it' is not a convincing argument. I wonder what the figures are for the animals that end up dying long painful deaths by the mis-aimed bullet and arrow are.
Very simply, we only want to kill/cull these animals because we're there to do it. They managed fine without human intervention. Being a vegetarian notwithstanding, I think it's fine to kill animals as a matter of need. I don't think the indigenous indian populations felt the need hundreds of years ago to cull the animal population. They just took the animals they needed to survive and let nature do the rest. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy
(Post 7928286)
As someone inferred earlier, human (that includes the native peoples) intervention and settling of larger tracts of Canada has reduced the number (and territory) of natural predators. Given your abhorence of Hunting I trust you do not intend to add your footprint to the number of humans in Canada?
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by elizabeth_action
(Post 7928105)
I honestly don't understand how people feel it's fine to kill an animal for a bit of fun. It's soulless and destructive behaviour. Perhaps it's worth considering if there might be re-incarnation and that you might come back to earth as a hunted animal, not to mention having to answer to God for this kind of cruelty.
Shoot at a range! Now I don't have to kill something in order to eat, nor do I actually have to grow something in order to eat either. In fact, I don't even have break a sweat, pick up a shovel or load a round into a gun. I can just drive to the grocery store and buy something. I don't even need to use money (fruit of my labour) I can use credit! And I can buy my dead animal deboned, deblooded, nicely skinned and sliced, chilled and hung for 10 days and looking like a juicy steak, rather than a warm, furry, moving, mooing bullock. Isn't something missing from this? Some honesty, some effort, some sweat, some actual care? Just because we live in the 21st Century and drive cars, it doesn't mean we can't walk. Just because we can text someone, it doesn't mean we can't talk to them. Hunting is honest. Hunting is all about soul. Hunting is about the death of one animal, but it's also about the circle of life. The "circle of life" isn't just a cute song that Disney made up for the Lion King. It exists. And unless we are honest about our relationship with the living world it's going to turn and "bite us in the ass - big time" (just to throw in a Canadianism). |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7928529)
It's not actually soulless. Strange as it may seem quite a bit of "soul" goes into this sport. Not least because you are actually killing an animal. Did you ever see the movie "The Gods must be crazy" and the little hottentot guy thanking the animal he has just killed for feeding his family.
Now I don't have to kill something in order to eat, nor do I actually have to grow something in order to eat either. In fact, I don't even have break a sweat, pick up a shovel or load a round into a gun. I can just drive to the grocery store and buy something. I don't even need to use money (fruit of my labour) I can use credit! And I can buy my dead animal deboned, deblooded, nicely skinned and sliced, chilled and hung for 10 days and looking like a juicy steak, rather than a warm, furry, moving, mooing bullock. Isn't something missing from this? Some honesty, some effort, some sweat, some actual care? Just because we live in the 21st Century and drive cars, it doesn't mean we can't walk. Just because we can text someone, it doesn't mean we can't talk to them. Hunting is honest. Hunting is all about soul. Hunting is about the death of one animal, but it's also about the circle of life. The "circle of life" isn't just a cute song that Disney made up for the Lion King. It exists. And unless we are honest about our relationship with the living world it's going to turn and "bite us in the ass - big time" (just to throw in a Canadianism). |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7928529)
It's not actually soulless. Strange as it may seem quite a bit of "soul" goes into this sport. Not least because you are actually killing an animal. Did you ever see the movie "The Gods must be crazy" and the little hottentot guy thanking the animal he has just killed for feeding his family.
Now I don't have to kill something in order to eat, nor do I actually have to grow something in order to eat either. In fact, I don't even have break a sweat, pick up a shovel or load a round into a gun. I can just drive to the grocery store and buy something. I don't even need to use money (fruit of my labour) I can use credit! And I can buy my dead animal deboned, deblooded, nicely skinned and sliced, chilled and hung for 10 days and looking like a juicy steak, rather than a warm, furry, moving, mooing bullock. Isn't something missing from this? Some honesty, some effort, some sweat, some actual care? Just because we live in the 21st Century and drive cars, it doesn't mean we can't walk. Just because we can text someone, it doesn't mean we can't talk to them. Hunting is honest. Hunting is all about soul. Hunting is about the death of one animal, but it's also about the circle of life. The "circle of life" isn't just a cute song that Disney made up for the Lion King. It exists. And unless we are honest about our relationship with the living world it's going to turn and "bite us in the ass - big time" (just to throw in a Canadianism).
Originally Posted by Novocastrian
(Post 7928569)
Well put, sir. I don't hunt and have no intention ever to do so, but well put. I think us Brits get a bit confused between what you've described and upper class twits of the year chasing foxes and such with beagles and too much alcohol on horseback. Quite a different matter, that.
Excellently worded posts :thumbsup::thumbsup: |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Shucks....:wub:
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Novocastrian
(Post 7928569)
Well put, sir. I don't hunt and have no intention ever to do so, but well put. I think us Brits get a bit confused between what you've described and upper class twits of the year chasing foxes and such with beagles and too much alcohol on horseback. Quite a different matter, that.
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 7928837)
A Brit upper class twit who writes well on animal issues is Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. The River Cottage Meat Book is a treatise on concious use of meat, duty to the animal and so on, with recipes.
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy
(Post 7928609)
As expected from you two..............................
Excellently worded posts :thumbsup::thumbsup: |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: I presume/think that is this the guy who had a reality program where he tried to wean participants from their bad food habits.
In one show he had them feed baby lambs, and then either sell or have them butchered. They were invited to the butchering process. All who went had a far deeper respect for their meat than before. And they all ate the lamb:cool: |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Novocastrian
(Post 7928873)
Have another drink, Butch. You're sounding almost human.
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
2 Attachment(s)
For those that hunt check out our new hunting blind that went up over the last couple of weeks in the back part of our yard - just got to finish painting and shes good to go.
For those that don't - oooh look we have a tree house ;) |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Are you bow hunting deer?:thumbup:
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7928529)
It's not actually soulless. Strange as it may seem quite a bit of "soul" goes into this sport. Not least because you are actually killing an animal. Did you ever see the movie "The Gods must be crazy" and the little hottentot guy thanking the animal he has just killed for feeding his family.
Now I don't have to kill something in order to eat, nor do I actually have to grow something in order to eat either. In fact, I don't even have break a sweat, pick up a shovel or load a round into a gun. I can just drive to the grocery store and buy something. I don't even need to use money (fruit of my labour) I can use credit! And I can buy my dead animal deboned, deblooded, nicely skinned and sliced, chilled and hung for 10 days and looking like a juicy steak, rather than a warm, furry, moving, mooing bullock. Isn't something missing from this? Some honesty, some effort, some sweat, some actual care? Just because we live in the 21st Century and drive cars, it doesn't mean we can't walk. Just because we can text someone, it doesn't mean we can't talk to them. Hunting is honest. Hunting is all about soul. Hunting is about the death of one animal, but it's also about the circle of life. The "circle of life" isn't just a cute song that Disney made up for the Lion King. It exists. And unless we are honest about our relationship with the living world it's going to turn and "bite us in the ass - big time" (just to throw in a Canadianism). If that's not an justification for the fetishism of primeval killing my name is not Amanda Roberts. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7928529)
It's not actually soulless. Strange as it may seem quite a bit of "soul" goes into this sport. Not least because you are actually killing an animal. Did you ever see the movie "The Gods must be crazy" and the little hottentot guy thanking the animal he has just killed for feeding his family.
Now I don't have to kill something in order to eat, nor do I actually have to grow something in order to eat either. In fact, I don't even have break a sweat, pick up a shovel or load a round into a gun. I can just drive to the grocery store and buy something. I don't even need to use money (fruit of my labour) I can use credit! And I can buy my dead animal deboned, deblooded, nicely skinned and sliced, chilled and hung for 10 days and looking like a juicy steak, rather than a warm, furry, moving, mooing bullock. Isn't something missing from this? Some honesty, some effort, some sweat, some actual care? Just because we live in the 21st Century and drive cars, it doesn't mean we can't walk. Just because we can text someone, it doesn't mean we can't talk to them. Hunting is honest. Hunting is all about soul. Hunting is about the death of one animal, but it's also about the circle of life. The "circle of life" isn't just a cute song that Disney made up for the Lion King. It exists. And unless we are honest about our relationship with the living world it's going to turn and "bite us in the ass - big time" (just to throw in a Canadianism). Do you make your own clothes? Build your own house? Surely if you want to sweat and get back to your "roots" you can't be selective by choosing which parts you like? If so, your reasons stated above just seem hypocritical to me. Do you search for water or do you turn on the tap? Do you crap in the bushes or do you use your loo? Do you drive to the Drs when you need help with your health or do you suffer? The way humans live evolves yet if you hunt because you enjoy the adrenalin rush you get from making a kill and having the knowledge you're on the top of the food chain then just say so. All my opinion of course :D |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by mandymoochops
(Post 7929199)
For those that hunt check out our new hunting blind that went up over the last couple of weeks in the back part of our yard - just got to finish painting and shes good to go.
For those that don't - oooh look we have a tree house ;) As I said in earlier posts, I fail to see the "skill" required in hunting an animal from such a device. I appreciate the skill in being able to hit the target as intended, but one can hardly argue that sitting there waiting for an unsuspecting animal to wander into shooting range is skilful. However, being able to stay awake long enough for said animal to come into range deserves a tip of my hat:rofl: |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by el_richo
(Post 7929626)
Sorry, so why do you hunt?
Do you make your own clothes? Build your own house? Surely if you want to sweat and get back to your "roots" you can't be selective by choosing which parts you like? If so, your reasons stated above just seem hypocritical to me. Do you search for water or do you turn on the tap? Do you crap in the bushes or do you use your loo? Do you drive to the Drs when you need help with your health or do you suffer? The way humans live evolves yet if you hunt because you enjoy the adrenalin rush you get from making a kill and having the knowledge you're on the top of the food chain then just say so. We have been hunter gathers for far longer than we've been chained to desks and trammelled by traffic. Of course there's pleasure in hunting - just as there is in many human endeavours and activities. But there's lots of things that give me pleasure, and some things that may give me pleasure that I chose not to do (eg., cheat on my wife, hit someone I don't like, eat that extra piece of cake). I choose to hunt not just because it is pleasurable, but because it engages me with nature in a way that hiking and camping do not. And sometimes the adrenaline rush is in sighting the animal, stalking, approaching, lining up the shot and not the actual killing. A hunter may chose not to make the shot, however, in his or her eyes the hunt is still successful and exciting. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 7929400)
Bollox. :)
If that's not an justification for the fetishism of primeval killing my name is not Amanda Roberts. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7930298)
What's wrong with primeval?:cool:
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Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
We built the blind because our acreage is a thoroughfare for whitetails and mulies. Don't forget when you apply for tags you have to specify areas as well. And if they happen across our path when we are up there then so be it!
A lot of areas are privately owned and if you can't get permission from the land owner to shoot there then you s**t out of luck - so whilst it would be great to track deer left right and centre, constraints mean it may be impossible. We have 10 acres and permission from neighbours (who have way more!) to hunt on their land when they are not guiding people out there ad have drawn a tag for this area, so we will use the blind when not trecking across neighbouring land! (or using the Ducks Unlimited land around and about) Yes there will be a platform constructed about half way up the stand for bow hunting!!!! Not that me or anyone else will use it this year - I'm waaaaaay not good enough and moh hasn't practiced his bow shooting in a couple of years (prefering the rifle) so decided to give it a miss this year. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Cool: I'm dead jealous - it's one of the downsides of living in the city!
Presumably you're more than 250 meters from the house. What rifle are you using? .3030 or 270 or..? |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7930289)
And sometimes the adrenaline rush is in sighting the animal, stalking, approaching, lining up the shot and not the actual killing. A hunter may chose not to make the shot, however, in his or her eyes the hunt is still successful and exciting.
or maybe with extremely heavy emphasis on "sometimes" I accept that a part of the thrill of the hunt is the stalking, the lining up of the shot, but if that was the major part of the hunt we'd be discussing wildlife photography and we’re not! |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7928529)
It's not actually soulless. Strange as it may seem quite a bit of "soul" goes into this sport. Not least because you are actually killing an animal. Did you ever see the movie "The Gods must be crazy" and the little hottentot guy thanking the animal he has just killed for feeding his family.
Now I don't have to kill something in order to eat, nor do I actually have to grow something in order to eat either. In fact, I don't even have break a sweat, pick up a shovel or load a round into a gun. I can just drive to the grocery store and buy something. I don't even need to use money (fruit of my labour) I can use credit! And I can buy my dead animal deboned, deblooded, nicely skinned and sliced, chilled and hung for 10 days and looking like a juicy steak, rather than a warm, furry, moving, mooing bullock. Isn't something missing from this? Some honesty, some effort, some sweat, some actual care? Just because we live in the 21st Century and drive cars, it doesn't mean we can't walk. Just because we can text someone, it doesn't mean we can't talk to them. Hunting is honest. Hunting is all about soul. Hunting is about the death of one animal, but it's also about the circle of life. The "circle of life" isn't just a cute song that Disney made up for the Lion King. It exists. And unless we are honest about our relationship with the living world it's going to turn and "bite us in the ass - big time" (just to throw in a Canadianism). |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by triumphguy
(Post 7930289)
Why do people go camping? Just so they can get away from the hurly burly of every day life and live a more primative existence, and if that involves toting your own water, or drinking from streams, crapping in the bushes, going without showers, etc then so much the better.
We have been hunter gathers for far longer than we've been chained to desks and trammelled by traffic. Of course there's pleasure in hunting - just as there is in many human endeavours and activities. But there's lots of things that give me pleasure, and some things that may give me pleasure that I chose not to do (eg., cheat on my wife, hit someone I don't like, eat that extra piece of cake). I choose to hunt not just because it is pleasurable, but because it engages me with nature in a way that hiking and camping do not. And sometimes the adrenaline rush is in sighting the animal, stalking, approaching, lining up the shot and not the actual killing. A hunter may chose not to make the shot, however, in his or her eyes the hunt is still successful and exciting. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
[QUOTE=MikeUK;7930588]Errrr...........Bussquit
or maybe with extremely heavy emphasis on "sometimes" QUOTE] A good deer hunter will go to the hunting area weeks before the hunt, to find where the deer sleep, eat, walk, etc. He or she will check out vantage points, lines of site etc. For some strange reason they see this as an important and enjoyable part of the hunt. Then it may take multiple attempts over days or even weeks to find the animal during hunting season. Hunters seem to enjoy this part too! Then when they finally get it all right, they make the shot - and may miss! For some reason this becomes part of the experience also. Then if all goes well, you get a clean shot, you have to cape, skin, or butcher the animal and carry it out. Then there's the whole meat preparation or trophy mounting thing. And then you get to see your trophy and/or eat you meat, sausage, steaks or whatever, and share it with friends. I guess "hunting" is more than just the kill. |
Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
Originally Posted by el_richo
(Post 7930742)
I guess what i'm saying is that people should just be happy and confident to say "I love the feeling when i hunt and kill something" instead of feeling they should justify what they do by commenting on sustainability, environmental reasons, or just keeping animal population under control etc etc.
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