I just had to edit a scathing opinion piece about hunting that I have a problem with.
Here's the deal:
I am NRA, 2nd Amendment all the way! I LOVE firearms and shooting paper and who ever threatens me and mine. I read lots of Guns and Ammo type magazines and finally kinda snapped this morning after another image of some jack-wagon trophy hunters with a bear so far out in the bush they aint bringing much of it back, pure pleasure kill; and they smile.
Now I wasn't so opposed to hunting until I became a field geologist and spend ~70 days a year in the back country in the west; CA,AZ,UT,WY, NV, TX, NM, AK. Out there with out trying in the least and generally making noise to scare the bears, javelina and moose away I routinely find myself within <20 meters of; antelope, deer, big horn sheep, various fowl etc.. not to mention bear, moose and the more scary critters.
To a one of hundreds of such encounters I have had over the years, the animal is gentle and curious. Even the bears have been cool. The encounters usually last 10-30 seconds sometime more before animal looses interest and moves on or continues to graze. I can't recall one bolting almost ever. Sure I've made undue noise and scared more away and just hear them or catch a hoof in the air as it clears a hurdle but again I'm making noise!
My point is where is the challenge? It's like "hunting" the neighbors dog. I get a mix of disgust and humor while at the local sporting goods as some hunter is buying deer urine and the rest of the "stuff" that is deemed necessary to out fox an animal. When the real challenge is to become more part of nature as opposed to robbing it.
Hey I wouldn't say anything if trophy hunting wasn't held in some regard. Frankly "hunting" is not the proper term it's just shooting and killing, just like Buffalo Bill and those easterners slaughtering buffalos from train cars. Takes zero skill or intelligence. My 12 year old niece in Alabama bagged a deer….
It's a real quandary for me… I gotta find a vegan shooters forum or magazine.
Please take my remarks as just my passion. I don't want to try to be politically correct and not step on toes. One of the cool things I noticed over the years is shooting folks can take it and won't get undies in a wad but let me have it with their opinion.
I'm gonna need some help off this soap box…dang it is high
EC
Here's the deal:
I am NRA, 2nd Amendment all the way! I LOVE firearms and shooting paper and who ever threatens me and mine. I read lots of Guns and Ammo type magazines and finally kinda snapped this morning after another image of some jack-wagon trophy hunters with a bear so far out in the bush they aint bringing much of it back, pure pleasure kill; and they smile.
Now I wasn't so opposed to hunting until I became a field geologist and spend ~70 days a year in the back country in the west; CA,AZ,UT,WY, NV, TX, NM, AK. Out there with out trying in the least and generally making noise to scare the bears, javelina and moose away I routinely find myself within <20 meters of; antelope, deer, big horn sheep, various fowl etc.. not to mention bear, moose and the more scary critters.
To a one of hundreds of such encounters I have had over the years, the animal is gentle and curious. Even the bears have been cool. The encounters usually last 10-30 seconds sometime more before animal looses interest and moves on or continues to graze. I can't recall one bolting almost ever. Sure I've made undue noise and scared more away and just hear them or catch a hoof in the air as it clears a hurdle but again I'm making noise!
My point is where is the challenge? It's like "hunting" the neighbors dog. I get a mix of disgust and humor while at the local sporting goods as some hunter is buying deer urine and the rest of the "stuff" that is deemed necessary to out fox an animal. When the real challenge is to become more part of nature as opposed to robbing it.
Hey I wouldn't say anything if trophy hunting wasn't held in some regard. Frankly "hunting" is not the proper term it's just shooting and killing, just like Buffalo Bill and those easterners slaughtering buffalos from train cars. Takes zero skill or intelligence. My 12 year old niece in Alabama bagged a deer….
It's a real quandary for me… I gotta find a vegan shooters forum or magazine.
Please take my remarks as just my passion. I don't want to try to be politically correct and not step on toes. One of the cool things I noticed over the years is shooting folks can take it and won't get undies in a wad but let me have it with their opinion.
I'm gonna need some help off this soap box…dang it is high
EC
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