Last week, I discussed a proposed ballot measure in Oregon to ban hunting and fishing. Such a measure has come under fire, including Fox News’ Joey Jones, who points out the role of hunters in regards to wildlife management, as well as the ethical policies of hunters.
As I mentioned in an article several years ago, hunters respect wildlife (contrary to popular belief).
They are also responsible for a series of hunting laws and regulations to insure the preservation of wildlife and various habitats. Thus, hunters have done a lot more for the environment than any environmentalist ever has.
In his book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Hunting, author Frank Miniter puts an emphasis on the previously mentioned facts. By doing so, he dispels myths some people have about hunting. He also points out that poachers are nothing more than game thieves, and are despised by hunters. In addition, Miniter discusses how hunters have saved many species from the brink of extinction. He even discusses the importance of the Second Amendment.
Other matters Miniter discusses consist of the following:
- Hunters have funded state conservation programs via paying special surtaxes on guns, ammunition, and other gear.
- Hunters protect crops from being eaten by deer, rabbits, and other animals. Otherwise, there would be nothing to harvest. Vegetarians (especially those people who become vegetarians because they dislike the killing of animals) should be aware of this fact.
- Hunters are stationed near airports to shoot birds that might get sucked into the engines of planes, thus preventing horrific tragedies.
- Hunting reduces animal-human conflicts- e.g. people being attacked by cougars, bears, coyotes, etc. Once such animals learn that people will hunt them, they will behave themselves. Hence, it is a matter of self-defense.
- Non-lethal alternatives to hunting have turned out to be inefficient and quite expensive.
- Hunting is safer than other sports (e.g. football, basketball) due to the emphasis on firearm safety.
- Hunters know more about the environment than one could imagine, and probably know more about some species and habitats than biologists do.
Miniter also discusses in his book the various laws, rules, regulations, etc. that keep hunting a fair and ethical activity. He even mentioned the following quote by Theodore Roosevelt:
“All hunters should be nature lovers”.
Thus, hunters are compassionate towards the animals they hunt. The same cannot be said for predators pursuing their prey. Miniter once witnessed two coyotes catch a rabbit and play tug-of-war with it as it squealed. Such cruelty has rarely (if at all) been done by hunters.
The same can be said for fishing.
Thus, this anti-hunting/anti-fishing measure the animal rights activists are trying to get on the ballot would be a disaster for Oregon, both ecologically and economically.
