Take a Child Hunting

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
Super Mod
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
45,835
From a recent F&S article. The entire piece is well worth reading.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/article/Hunting/Why-Johnny-Wont-Hunt#

Hunting's vital signs continue the steady decline that began in the 1970s, according to a wave of research released this year. A new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey shows that our total numbers are down: just 12.5 million, dropping half a million in the last five years alone. Our average age is up: 24 percent of us are over 55, whereas only 12 percent of us are under 25. Recruitment is failing: 38 percent fewer newcomers joined our ranks in the last 15 years. And the proportion of Americans who hunt has dropped to 3 percent, a figure guaranteed to shrink as the general population continues to expand.

The decline persists despite an ever expanding menu of private and government programs designed to spur interest in the sport. States and industry groups rightfully trumpet their occasional successes, yet a few strokes on a calculator bring reality crashing back: If the sport continues to shed about 100,000 members a year, there will be very few of us left by 2050.
Click to expand...
 
I agree with the take a child hunting but don't forget to take adults too. My first hunting trip was with my brother in laws at 34 years old. I had always been interested but never had anyone take me. It turned out to be something that I really enjoyed and will definitely do again many many times.
 
For a number of personal reasons, I do not hunt.

However, hunting is probably the single most educational recreation that one can do with a child. In addition to teaching firearm safety and general responsibility, it teaches a child where his food comes from, and at what cost. The cost of an animal's life (as opposed to food wrapped at the supermarket-where the same cost is paid--but the consumer does not notice). In addition, hunting usually requires patience, the ability to suffer physical discomfort, and a number of outdoor skills. It also teaches him or her the responsibility of preparing the food for consumption. Quite an education for such a small package. Where else can you get a deal like that?

Tell me, Lycosa--do you eat meat?
 
Lycosa said:
Try Bird or Wildlife watching. Time to switch gears.
Click to expand...

Ah, one of the "meat grows in styrofoam and shrink wrap" crowd.

Wildlife and Game divisions save a lot more of da Earf than bird watchers.

Who do you think foots the bill for state Wildlife and Game divisions?
 
I am not sure what percentage of the hunting/fishing licensce fees goes to preserving species and habitat, but I believe it is more than half. Or so I recall in Hunter Safety course in CA. Hunting as an industry actually helps maintain healthy and sustainable populations of the animals.
 
Times are changing, that's all. Killing animals for fun is on the way out.
And, no, I don't eat meat or wear leather. And I'm not an "anti."
 
Lycosa said:
Times are changing, that's all. Killing animals for fun is on the way out.
Click to expand...

Sad, but I doubt you ever get it. You might reread shaldag's post 100 times or so.
 
The most important thing is to teach our children to Respect the Earth and all who dwell thereon.
This younger generation is showing great promise for a better future and will not repeat the mistakes of past generations. We humans Are evolving.
 
Lycosa said:
The most important thing is to teach our children to Respect the Earth and all who dwell thereon.
This younger generation is showing great promise for a better future and will not repeat the mistakes of past generations. We humans Are evolving.
Click to expand...


Tell you what, quit pushing your agenda on everyone else, and everyone will get along well.
Simply because you don't _____ doesn't mean you have evolved:rolleyes:
All it means is you made personal choice.
You think hunting doesn't teach respect for the earth???
who do you think funds 99% of the conservation of wildlife and their habitat in the US..it sure isn't the "Meat is murder" crowd..they're too busy scaring the shit out of little kids giving them cartoon pamphlets telling them mommy and daddy are murders for eating meat:mad:

Knowing where our food comes from, and harvesting it ourselves gives a deep respect for nature, and also promaotes a waste not attitude.
 
Hunt it, prep it, eat it = good.
Hunt it, toss it = bad.

Sometimes you have to make it simple for the "antis" to get it. I doubt the OP is suggesting we go on an elephant hunt in Africa for tusk ivory. We are talking "hunting" in the pure sense, as opposed to "gathering." I would love to be able to take my kid partridge hunting (or quail or pheasant or duck) because a) it's a skill; b) it's fun; c) they taste good; d) I can prepare them myself. I would not deer hunt just because I couldn't take the deer from stand to table myself - I don't have the skill. But those who do take deer from stand to table should invite me for stew!

And let's not forget fishing. We can all learn catch and release, showing that only those specimens fit for consumption should be kept; the others are returned to continue the cycle.
 
Quit pushing your agenda.
The numbers speak for themselves and you are in a minority.
Change is not permanent but change is.
BTW, I'm a former hunter that broke the mold of killing what I don't need to live.
 
Lycosa said:
Quit pushing your agenda.
The numbers speak for themselves and you are in a minority.
Change is not permanent but change is.
BTW, I'm a former hunter that broke the mold of killing what I don't need to live.
Click to expand...

like I said...thats your choice, don't tell me I shouldn't have one.

ya, we're a minority....yet we fund a majority of the conservation that makes sure there's habitat for elk, and waterfowl.

and get over your self righteous " I don't kill" , holier than thou attitude

I would much rather see animals hunted for food, than left to starve to death due to over population. Oh, yer going to say..thats nature..no, nature is having an apex predator to limit the numbers. The same group who are opposed to hunting are the same ones who piss and moan when people get eaten becase the put a jogging path through the woods--equivelent of a kaiten sushi place, where the food comes around on a tiny track. Because people don't want wolves-bears-mtn.lions running around, we have to take their place. Why? Because were constantly shrinking natural wildlife habitat, which is a major reason hunters have purchaced millions of acrers to preserve natural habitat.
No, I don't eat red meat-- other than deer/elk that I've harvested,

You made your choice, and I want mine
 
wow...who said anythin about killing for sport?

I didn't see that mentioned anywhere in the tread..are you making an assumption, or putting words in my mouth?

it boils down to this:

this is america..you had YOUR choice to hunt, and you did it. Now, somehow in your infinate wisdom you have decided that no one should hunt because you feel it's murder ? Please..that smacks of sococial elitism.

I might not agree with your choice, thats fine, but don't try and take my choice away. That's a pretty basic american concept.
 
Lycosa said:
The most important thing is to teach our children to Respect the Earth and all who dwell thereon.
This younger generation is showing great promise for a better future and will not repeat the mistakes of past generations. We humans Are evolving.
Click to expand...

It seems to me that self-righteousness is one of those mistakes of past generations that is continuing.

It is quite amusing that someone thinks that his version of "respecting the earth" is somehow a sign of evolution. :rolleyes:
 
Evolution = deer overpopulation = more vehicular deaths.
Evolution = more coyotes/wolves/etc driven from natural habitats = more pets eaten, children scared, local governments worried
Evolution = more vermin = more disease

Wrong! Control, conservation and consumption = EVOLUTION!
 
Lycosa said:
The most important thing is to teach our children to Respect the Earth and all who dwell thereon.
This younger generation is showing great promise for a better future and will not repeat the mistakes of past generations. We humans Are evolving.
Click to expand...

Lycosa.

In other words those of us who hunt for some of the tastiest meat on earth like Elk, Caribou, Deer, Hog, Turkey just to name a few, so we can feed ourselves and our families are sub-humans???.

Just so you know, I am right now as I type this post, cooking up some leftover Venison stew for my lunch. My wife is making Venison meat loaf(one of her best recipes too) this evening for our dinner.

Currently, if it wasn't for my hunting and fishing skills, we would have little sustenance for my family to eat at all. I have always hunted since as long as can remember thanks to my Uncles. But it is even more vital currently in my situation and drop in earnings because of the sate of the economy.

Your favorite Neanderthal signing off for now.. Ugg, Ugg!

Anthony
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top