Hunting Opinions (please help)

[hoyt14]

Hey everyone, I"™m doing a Political paper for my school that involves the Pro's and Con's of hunting in general. There is no specific hunting area that I"™m after (Large Game, Small Game, Water Fowl, etc.). . . . . I guess what I"™m asking you is if you could help me out on Some of the Pro's of hunting, so that the whole report isn't just based on my soul feelings. I'm not trying to start a war with anyone that can rebuttal the statements that others so kindly make, but simply to help out with a paper, so everything for it isn't my own words/beliefs.

Thanks for the help you guy I really appreciate it, cuz this is one long report

-Hoyt

[vc1111]

There are a variety of ways to approach the subject of hunting from the perspective that you have chosen.

Carrying capacity: How many animals can a tract of land hold? It may have cover and space for say 15 whitetails, water for 100, but only food sources for 10. Because of the ways whitetails reproduce, if the numbers are not culled annually, even excess carrying capacity will eventually be overwhelmed. The result is death by starvation and disease. Disease must be prevented or huge herds can be wiped out.

Predators: Many of the predators are either endangered or were completely removed from many areas long ago. Vast regions in America have no where near the numbers of predators required to keep some game numbers in balance against carrying capacity. Hunting alone helps control the numbers of wildlife against carrying capacity in many regions.

Habitat: Hunters are great conservationists and put their money where their mouths are. They contribute huge sums of money toward conservation of habitat and protection of animals of all types, both game species and non-game species.

Economic impact: Hunting and fishing are big business, big-ticket hobbies that put an awful lot of people to work.

Do a google search on any of these key words with the word hunting next to it and you can find sources to write reams of information to factually support the need for hunting in the 21st century and beyond.\

Hope that helps.

[Alsatian]

I obtain rewards from hunting, partly, because of tradition. When I hunt I am doing something my father, now deceased, used to do and did occasionally with me. Further, I feel connected through this tradition with hunters back through pre-history. This may seem like poppy-cock, but when I try to conceal myself in the shadow of a tree and against a backdrop which breaks up my outline, when I note that deer choose to pass along a certain path because it constitutes a funnel (modern term, surely something hunters understood in the past), I feel sure these things have always been a part of hunting. I continue the tradition by taking my son hunting and teaching him the secrets of hunting. Hunting leads one to concentrate and attend to nuances of nature that otherwise would pass one by. This makes one feel more a part of nature.

Personally, my hunting leads to my being on and staying on a rigorous physical fitness and dietary course which I probably otherwise would not be on. Because I want to be able to continue to hike in the mountains, though I'm 48 now, I do a lot of exercise which otherwise I would not do and hence I would not be in as good health, I think. Sure, I could do this for the sole purpose of maintaining my health, but hunting and hiking beautiful wild places add an extra incentive.

[James B]

All the reasons above are good reasons to hunt. I quess I hunt mainly because I enjoy gathering my own meat. Hunting helps balance game populations with available forage. Hunters dollars do more to benifit wildlife than all the anti hunters efforts combined. It is the hunter who pays for habitat improvement and restoration. The only down side I have ever seen is cold feet.

[vc1111]

James B's point is excellent.

Ordinary meat is usually altered before it is sold. It often contain nitrites, which is a preservative and a known carcinogen. Nitrites are also found in bacon and fish. During the cooking process, nitrites combine with amines which are naturally present in meat to form carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. It is also suspected that nitrites can combine with amines in the human stomach to form N-nitroso compounds. These compounds are known carcinogens and have been associated with cancer of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach and brain.

Venison contains no preservatives, additives, or flavor enhancers, is very low in fat, compared to red meat, and is healthier from the perspective of triglycerides, and cholestrol.

Besides venison makes the best chili.

My chili recipe alone is enough to convert a staunch PETA freak into a meat eater.[8D]

[bnhcomputing]

"Teach your children to hunt, and you won"™t be hunting for your children."

Hunting requires skill, intelligence, and most of all patience.

Skill: The ability to hit the target at a specified range repetitively.
Intelligence: Knowing where, when, and how to find the game.
Patience: You have to stay in one place, be still, quiet, and wait for the game.

I have seen several children that were on their way to becoming wards of the state (prison) but by showing them that they can develop both mind and body, become one with the weapon, and nature, they found something better to do than become criminals.

Every year around the country, there are mini camps for kids to introduce them to the outdoors. I attend as many in my area as possible because I need to try to make a difference. If my actions turn one kid away from crime and onto hunting, then it was more than worth the effort.

I do not hunt for the kill! I hunt for the experience.

I am in the stand, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end, and that little voice says, "œthere is a bird coming."� Moments latter, I see a crow or a hawk. They fly by, and I can hear each time they flap their wings. That is what I mean by the experience.

You tell a child to get on the Stairmaster and go for ½ hour because they don"™t get enough exercise. The child rebels, sees this as a punishment. Take the same child to an outdoor sporting event. They walk up hill, down hill, through all kinds of terrain. The child gets three to four hours of exercise, much more than the ½ on the Stairmaster or treadmill. The children have fun, and don"™t feel punished.

That"™s the experience. That"™s why I did it yesterday, why I do it today, and why I"™ll do it until I"™m gone.

[wesbowhunt]

because its fun

[wihunter402]

Hey guys thanks for helping him. As some may know Hoyt14 is my son. He is really interested in others views as he already knows mine. You all have made very good points for him to work with.

VC1111 how about sharing that chili recipe?

[vc1111]

Wilhunter402, I hope your son does well with his work.

Here's that chili recipe:

Use a crockpot. Add one jar of salsa, hot or mild, your choice.

Add one pound of venison which has been slightly cooked, then shredded and crumbled up.

Add a can or two of tomato sauce

Add 3 or 4 cups of kidney beans. I like the red ones. You can also use black beans or mix the two to taste.

One packet of chili powder, hot or mild, your choice.

Two finely diced onions (if you like onions)

A handful of chopped mushrooms.

Two cloves of very finely diced garlic (if you favor that).

Let her go in the crockpot for about 10 hours.

==================================
The salsa that you add puts a ton of flavor into the mix. If you've never tried it, you'll like it!

I prefer mine with more venison rather than less, so I may throw in more if its too soupy. Or you can cook it down further to thicken it somewhat.

When its ready top it with your favorite ground cheese and good old saltine crackers.

[bowhunt05]

good points nice thread here looks like good recipe