RE: My high fence experience
Okie,
One thing I think you should always remember: Man has been manipulating his environment and the way he procured food/sport (yes, predators hunt for sport) since he lifted himself from all fours. The scavenger thing, although successful to a point, just wasn’t cutting it. Do you think we would be here today if this wasn’t the case?
Let’s take a real close look at some of the ways we have learned to manipulate our environment as it pertains to hunting. I call them “tools of the trade”.
1) We have learned to recognize and employ nature and man made barriers. Back then, Indians drove animals off cliffs. Now, we sit over funnels, along river banks, and travel corridors. We also build fences.
2) We have recognized that, not unlike ourselves, animals need food, water, and shelter. We make great efforts to provide or deprive these needs. We plant food plots, build dams, and even employ bait. We provide better or remove habitat (to create funnels)
3) We erect blinds, hides, and tree stands. We sit still and ambush our prey as it creeps by.
4) We produce clothing which always us to hunt in harsher conditions and extend our time within this exposure.
5) We use weapons which propel projectiles into our prey. These projectiles render our prey harmless and eatable. We are not fast enough to close the gap on our own. Nor, are we strong enough to kill large game with our bare hands.
I cannot think of any of my experiences where at least one item on the list wasn’t employed.
Now, if I were to condemn you for manipulating the environment, then, and rightfully so, I would be condemning myself, right?
We are not created equal, nor are we here to lose (its human nature to compete and win). Each one of us will need to determine, for ourselves, how to hunt. We will assess the tools of the trade, and employ them in a manner which is best suited for ourselves and the success we desire. Your definition of “fair chase” will be different than mine. I’m ok with that!
Who's casting those stones…….?