This page has been moved to http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fshuntress
If your browser doesn’t redirect you to the new location, please visit The FSHuntress at its new location: www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fshuntress.
Flawed Argument
It's not hard to find anti-hunting messages on the Web. But the logic -- or lack thereof -- presented in this Adirondack Daily Enterprise letter to the editor caught my eye. The letter was written by Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting president Joe Miele, whose name pops up quite a bit at the end of such anti-hunting rhetoric here and there.
Citing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data, Miele celebrates a decline in youth hunters, then claims that "nonviolent forms of outdoor recreation" such as bird watching are on the rise. He suggests that state conservation agencies take advantage of the situation to sever their budgetary dependence on the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, by instead putting a surcharge on binoculars, cameras and other equipment used by wildlife watchers. "By making these changes," he concludes, "both wildlife and people would benefit and we would bring about a less violent world."
Interesting.
While I concede the letter is barely worth acknowledging, I couldn't help but be amused by the flawed logic behind it. Just goes to show that it would take a far and blinded reach indeed to discredit the overwhelming contributions sportsmen and women make to resource conservation. -K.H.
You all have to read the article and the responses written to the letter! I think the responses are great! Have fun reading the article!
Jodi
Posted by: Jodi Kotimaki | May 14, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Last I heard I thought Youth Hunter numbers were up?
I guess Mr. Joe there wants to see a bunch of sick animals through those binoculars of his. See an increase in the number of motorists involved in crashes caused by the deer population. And this can go on and on.
I clicked on Mr. Joe's webpage, while I didn't browse anything besides what was on the homepage, I wouldn't be surprised to find a "Sabotage" link on it somewhere.
If you've never seen one of those sites I'll fill you in.
ANTI hunters have actually posted How To's on say removing a screw or so from your treestand, making it unsafe for you and possibly hurting you, or at the least ruining your hunt from it.
Posted by: Laura Bell | May 14, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I respect those who choose not to hunt, but I expect the same in return for my choice to do so.
All of these anti groups are the same. It seems that they are looking for something to hate to have a purpose in life.
I like the guy who pointed out that you kill an unborn tree if you eat nuts etc. It's like my neighbor the leather shoe wearing PETA person. They just don't get it.
I must agree with Laura about the long list of problems if hunting was no longer a tool to control deer herds.
Posted by: Lou Alexander | May 14, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Okay excuse me, this may sound dumb, but is this guy a vegetarian? You know what, even if so, he apprently doesn't understand that it's not just for the sport. Your right Lou, they just don't get it. I could go on and on and give my reasons, but I would be preaching to the choir.
Maybe Mr. Joe should stick to his day job....
Posted by: Ruby | May 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM
While the anti-hunting rhetoric is become trite, this is an interesting approach and one I can, to a point, get behind.
Why not extend Pittman-Robertson to birdwatching optics, cameras, and such? Let's create a birdwatching license and fee structure too? While we're at it, let's add an additional tax on hiking gear. And mountain bikes... snow skis... the list is staggering!
How nice would it be if the "non-consumptive" users started paying a bit more of their own way? Think about the additional funding that could potentially salvage the CRP program, set aside and improve/restore habitat, and provide funding for research into issues like chronic wasting, lyme disease, and such.
Of course it couldn't, and shouldn't, offset the contribution of sport hunting, but it would be a wonderful and equitable way to support the natural resources!
Posted by: Phillip | May 14, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Typically, I don't have patience for such exchanges, but this one was good for a couple Seinfeldian type chuckles (half clever, half gibberish).
Not having anything valuable to contribute (nor the energy to do so today), I'll just say Thanks for making my work day a little brighter :]
Posted by: tracy | May 15, 2008 at 04:03 PM