Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

702.0. "A gift for the Antis ?" by DECALP::HOHWY (Just another Programmer) Wed Jul 25 1990 05:30

	I tried to find a note discussing the practice of
	some "hunting" operations offering excotic animals
	for shooting. I could not immediately spot the right
	note, so I'll just start a new one. If the Moderator
	wishes he may move this note to a reply in the correct
	note.

	I happened to watch a German program on a "hunting" operation
	in Oklahoma (no particular reason for Oklahoma, these 
	operations also exist in other places, and not only in 
	the States). Whereas I knew that such operations existed,
	I suppose that actually seeing how this particular one
	operated was a bit of an eye-opener. 

	I think I had imagined
	that these "hunting"-ranches had the animals living in large,
	fenced in areas (much like wildlife parks), and that the
	clients came and were pointed to one of a number of animals
	and then did the shooting. Much like controlled trophy "hunting"
	is done in Europe, or atleast in some places I know of
	in my home country Denmark. Well, it was not quite like that,
	This particular operation got their animals from zoos and 
	wildlife farms (presumably animals in excess?). 
	The animals were kept in cages right up until the moment 
	when the person arrived who had booked the particular 
	species. Then (in this case an African Lion) the animal 
	was put into a 100 yds diameter pen and shot.
	End of story - apart from the proud hunter bringing his
	trophy home, naturally. Oh, yes, the operation's marketing
	slogan was: "No game no pay".

	The discussion in note 697, about the impact of various
	forms of prize hunting-tournaments on the political climate
	in which hunters live, made me think about the impact
	something like this could have on the ongoing hunting/anti-
	hunting debate. Apart from my personal view, how do *you*
	think something like this could be used to influence public
	opinion about hunting in general? Btw, just wait till this
	particular program hits the US screens...

	Please note that I am not trying to shoot at guided hunting
	in general, nothing could be further from my mind. I 
	know that a lot of you guys share my views about these
	socalled "hunting" operations. Apart from being appalled
	with how this particular operation does business, I think
	what bothers me the most is, that the next time I have to
	discuss hunting with somebody (either against or just undecided)
	I know I have to deal with junk like this. That annoys me
	no end!

	I'll risk getting some people upset, by stating that I consider
	it a pity, that both clients and operators of such businesses 
	can use the term 'hunter' to describe themselves. To me hunting
	has to do with something completely different.

	I suppose I had better turn the flame off now, but I had to
	get this off my chest.


							- Mike

I have never considered this kind of stuff hunting. Personally, I find
it distasteful but not any more than slaughter houses. Since I still buy
beef etc. at the supermarket, I can't, in good conscience, object to people 
shooting animals on these preserves. I do object to the word hunting being 
used in that context.

The best anti hunting defense I had seen was a report on the news about
meat inspection. They were reporting on how meat inspection had improved.
One clip was about poultry. They had chickens, hung upside down on the conveyor,
going in on one end and meat workers processing the plucked and gutted chickens
on the other. The chickens were alive when they went in!!! Plucked and gutted
by a machine!!!

Too bad I did not get a chance to record this. Next time a anti complained
about my hunting I could do a show-and-tell and then serve him chicken.

    My only problem is that these people call themselves 'hunters'.
    
    Sorry, pal, a hunter is one who *hunts*. Shooting a penned animal
    is not hunting, I don't give a damn how many word games you play.
    
    'Trophy collectors' is an apt term for the people described here.
    If I hear one call himself a 'hunter' I'll make damn sure he
    doesn't think so before I'm done.
        
    I've got nothing against trophies as such, *if they were taken
    by hunting*. I'd love to shoot a wall-hanger *during the course
    of my hunting*. If I come home with a fat doe or spikehorn, that's
    fine. If a whacker crosses my path, great. But shooting a penned
    animal, with no *hunting* involved, wouldn't make me feel that
    I had done what I love to do - *hunt*.

    Dana

    
    If there's money in it people will do it.  That's what drives the
    people that put these so-called hunts on...some slogan too!!!  Does
    anyone really think these people really care how they hurt the image
    of hunting?  I didn't think so.  We as real hunters can put this in
    its proper perspective, the anit's on the other hand are quick to put
    us all in the picture with the guy with the dead lion.  In fact I have
    seen a program on TV in the last year that talked about this very
    thing, and you guessed it, hunting was taking the heat.
    
    Kevin

    Calling a lion in a pen "game", calling its skin a "trophy", or 
    calling this activity "hunting" is like hiring a prostitute and 
    introducing her to your friends as your "Bride".