I have never thought that hunting was wrong. My grandpa, papa and dad all did it and when I grew up, they taught me all the things I needed to know to be an informed and ethical hunter. When we go out in the woods, we have fun. Walking through the woods, following trails and looking for any sign is something that we look forward to each fall. However, as fun as these times are, we do not go out there to just carelessly shoot the animal that we are hunting. We primarily hunt deer and when we get one we use all the meat for something, from steaks to hamburger and we take the hide to a guy that lives over the hill from us where he makes it into gloves and hats. The only thing that we do not use are the bones.
My eyes have recently been opened to the concept of factory farming, where animals are raised in crowded areas and fed feed that is unnatural for them. The suffering of these animals has put a halt to the meat that I previously consumed nearly every day. After learning this I began to question my dietary habits and came to the conclusion that meat that is raised on a 'good farm' or meat that is respectably hunted is acceptable for me to consume. It is natural for carnivores or omnivores to hunt for meat and in my opinion humans are naturally omnivores. So if you chose to eat meat why not eat something that you have worked for and that has lived a good life?
Modern hunting is a way to bring humans back in touch with the natural environment which surrounds them. Senses are heightened and you learn the ways in which an ecosystem functions by carefully observing patterns. I believe that hunters in many cases are the ones that will be the most positive when it comes to protecting the environment that surrounds us. We do not want to see something so beautiful disappear. So do not disrespect someone just because they have the title of a hunter. Respect them enough to learn why they do what they do because many of them will be the ones that protect the land and ecosystems that we love so much.
I agree completely with your point of view, especially the last part where you said that we should "Respect them enough to learn why the do what they do" because this is exactly what must be done before we condemn hunters to a single group of stereotypically sport-minded men. In my hometown there exists both types, the aforementioned and the conscientious hunter.
ReplyDeleteI would only ask you one question: What is your opinion on bear hunting? As I understand the 'sport' because it is normally just that, a guide takes out of staters into the woods, sets them up, baits the bears and then lets the client shoot the bear, probably bringing home the pelt as a rug to show off to his friends. One of the people that I respect most in my life, my former boss, does this for a living. Because it is him that is doing it, I have trouble condemning it, but I also think it is really wrong...
Bear hunting is not always done in that way. I know people who go out and do not bait them but simply track them. I personally would never hunt bear because the meat is not very good. However I do believe that sport hunting is wrong, and that guided trips are as well. I completely agree with you there.
DeleteIn addition to this, I know that in Vermont it is illegal to bait game that you are hunting.
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