Trophy Hunting and Non

The words''Trophy hunting" get a very wide range of emotions associated with them. Envy, dislike, jealousy, indifference, even hate. It's not just non-hunters and anti's that get their hackles up at the words but also fellow hunters. Why?

When most people hear "Trophy Hunter" they automatically assume these people hunt these animals, kill them, lop off their heads and leave the meat. Or think they hunt high fenced animals (and yes there are Some that do). When people go to Africa to hunt the big game there it's called "trophy hunts" and because the hunters don't usually bring home the meat it's assumed that the animal is wasted. A lot of people don't realize how much these "trophy hunters" can help the tribes and towns in Africa, it brings in money, helps control populations of animals and the meat gets donated to those that need it. Another "Trophy hunt" that the anti's in particular like to target is the Grizzly hunting in BC. With this hunt You are not required to take the meat out with you. This hunt is for population control, is closely monitored and run on a limited entry (lottery) system.

Lets look at how trophy hunters work. Most work Very hard at finding and taking that specific animal. They put in a lot of time and effort in scouting these animals. Most of the animals are mature animals, So it's not like they are going into the bush and blasting the first animal they see. Many people say ''well you can't eat the horns"- true, but if you have the luxury of not having to worry about that or have the time to hunt that long/much and can wait for the trophy then you will end up getting more meat. A mature buck will have more meat then an immature One. By law you have to take the meat out, if someone doesn't then they are breaking the law And are a poacher- not a hunter.

Things go both ways though, its not just trophy hunters that get backlash from hunters and non-hunters. l have seen plenty of hunters put down and belittle those that shoot a Smaller animal than they think Is appropriate. Some people just need the meat or don't have the time and/or funds to get out a lot. A lot of these people are after the meat, and shooting the first legal animal they See ensures that they are putting food on their families table and not having the stress of an unfilled tag and buying meat.

In this world people are too busy ridiculing others instead of supporting them. If animals are taken LEGALLY and ETHICALLY then that is what should matter, not your own personal ethics because everyones personal ethics are different. AND remember there are different laws and regulations from state to state, province to province.

My rant is over, I hope those that read this will look at things a little differently -if you needed too.

Nikita