Hunting’s Public Image
June 19, 2006
I read the Black Bear Blog today about the importance of ethics and the image it casts on all hunters. Hunters face a double whammy because the left is for the most part opposed to individuals rights to gun ownership ( new blog about this starting up Gun Rights and Wrongs you should check out) and the left also wants to make animals equal to or above humans by giving them “Rights” As hunters we face these two groups and often times they join forces to try to defeat us.
In the South the cry that gets hunters fighting amongst themselves is the use of dogs to hunt deer. This practice is slowly being phased out mainly because of issues with landowners and people not appreciating dogs running over their land. When I first moved to the South I approached the subject with an open mind and although I had little desire to use hounds to pursue deer why should I care till I started hunting in areas where it was legal. After countless hunts ruined by hounds running through property I have leased and was still hunting. I have talked numerous times with the hunters involved, they feel I should be grateful the dogs are stirring up the deer for me, and they saw no need to control the dogs. It is sad to say but if it came to a vote today I probably would join many of the wackos and vote against the practice mainly because of the ammunition and the bad light it casts on all hunting. Many folks who are not hunters nor opposed to hunting end up with a negative view of hunters because practices like these.
I agree that we as hunters need to stand up for what is right and ethical the gray areas we need to better define. What is a canned hunt? 100, 1000, 10000 acres. Baiting ethical or unethical? This past week the idea of a non lethal hunting competition involving the use of tranquilizer bow and arrows was floated, and many in the hunting community ( Mike Hanback Blog) have rightly come out against it as unethical. I suspect we will see continue attacks on the tradition of hunting by attempting to push the envelop so far that those who have no opinion on hunting will be forced to oppose it because it has become so far out there. We should all strive to protect the heritage of hunting by passing it on to future generations.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
