2006-08-17
support ethical hunting
Every now and again I like to backtrack on something I'd heard about and find out what happened next. So while searching what sentence was meted out to that errant slob who thought himself a hunter Russell Beller, I came across a site of a bowman with a more ethical perspective on the ancient art of bowhunting. That guy's name is Ron Reddon. I also found his diligent postings on fake-hunting groups and animal rights extremists a refreshing read.
I agree with Ron that fenced-in prey-stalking facilities [like Bellar's Place had been] are nothing more than killing pens. Drugging game animals so inexperienced [or just plain lazy] characters who want to say they shot a deer is not a hunting experience.
Those of us who do hunt should have no compassion for pigs who can't respect their prey. True hunting takes time to develop real hunting skills, and not just the ability to fire off a Browning 270 or a Parker Hunter-Mag Compound Bow. You need to know the terrain; ought to know your prey's grazing, roaming, sleeping and eating habits; have a sense of who [and what] it is you are stalking ...and the humility to thank they prey, once downed, for providing you with sustinance and pelts.
That said, I've long thought, but never really wrote about, my thoughts that slob hunting types is, perhaps, as much about urban/media saturated culture having their interface with nature, however brief, however warped in its perspective.
And how much of this comes from city [and suburban] boys [and girls, hunting is not an art that's just for men] and their ignorance to the power and impact of firearms altogether. When I was a kid, adverts of the Daisy BB Gun were splashed across the backs of comic books nationwide. Developing a sense of responsible use of firearms was inculcated early.
Nowadays, what we get on the backs of comics are PeTA factual errors and news media fear-pandering tales about 14 year old blowing away the neighbor kids at school. For my money, that kind of sad commentary on social interactions is, in part, an outgrowth of people practically born and raised on being afraid of guns [and rifles, bow and arrows, knives and other tools with basic utilitarian purposes but demonized as "weapons". Okay, sure, they can all be used as weapons, but that's were firearms edcuation started early ought to be considered as essential learning skills. No different, in fact, than teaching people how to drive a car.
Hell, more people die from irresponsible vehicle use that deaths from firearms, even when one factors in gang'related violent deaths.
So grow up Americans. Learning the basics such as respect for and capable use of, the tools used in hunting, not only helps lay the foundation for a healthy appreciation of nature, but also starts a kid on a path that knows both hunting responsibly and using firearms in a responsible manner too.
Anyways, if you are interested in ethical hunting [and life in a small town] go check out Ron's site.
Every now and again I like to backtrack on something I'd heard about and find out what happened next. So while searching what sentence was meted out to that errant slob who thought himself a hunter Russell Beller, I came across a site of a bowman with a more ethical perspective on the ancient art of bowhunting. That guy's name is Ron Reddon. I also found his diligent postings on fake-hunting groups and animal rights extremists a refreshing read.I agree with Ron that fenced-in prey-stalking facilities [like Bellar's Place had been] are nothing more than killing pens. Drugging game animals so inexperienced [or just plain lazy] characters who want to say they shot a deer is not a hunting experience.
Those of us who do hunt should have no compassion for pigs who can't respect their prey. True hunting takes time to develop real hunting skills, and not just the ability to fire off a Browning 270 or a Parker Hunter-Mag Compound Bow. You need to know the terrain; ought to know your prey's grazing, roaming, sleeping and eating habits; have a sense of who [and what] it is you are stalking ...and the humility to thank they prey, once downed, for providing you with sustinance and pelts.
That said, I've long thought, but never really wrote about, my thoughts that slob hunting types is, perhaps, as much about urban/media saturated culture having their interface with nature, however brief, however warped in its perspective.And how much of this comes from city [and suburban] boys [and girls, hunting is not an art that's just for men] and their ignorance to the power and impact of firearms altogether. When I was a kid, adverts of the Daisy BB Gun were splashed across the backs of comic books nationwide. Developing a sense of responsible use of firearms was inculcated early.
Nowadays, what we get on the backs of comics are PeTA factual errors and news media fear-pandering tales about 14 year old blowing away the neighbor kids at school. For my money, that kind of sad commentary on social interactions is, in part, an outgrowth of people practically born and raised on being afraid of guns [and rifles, bow and arrows, knives and other tools with basic utilitarian purposes but demonized as "weapons". Okay, sure, they can all be used as weapons, but that's were firearms edcuation started early ought to be considered as essential learning skills. No different, in fact, than teaching people how to drive a car.
Hell, more people die from irresponsible vehicle use that deaths from firearms, even when one factors in gang'related violent deaths.
So grow up Americans. Learning the basics such as respect for and capable use of, the tools used in hunting, not only helps lay the foundation for a healthy appreciation of nature, but also starts a kid on a path that knows both hunting responsibly and using firearms in a responsible manner too.
Anyways, if you are interested in ethical hunting [and life in a small town] go check out Ron's site.
POSTSCRIPT: Slob "hunter" Russell Bellar, on May 6, 2005, he was ordered to serve 366 days in prison and pay $575,000 in fines. His permit to run a deer farm was revoked and his days of entertaining the rich and famous at his 1500-acre ranch are now over. Read the rest of the story.
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