American Blood Sports
 

Perusing through an American forum, I came across an off-topic thread which I found to be a little unsettling. I don't know why, I am in favour of fox hunting, I don't believe fish "scream" when caught on a hook........

Its not the blood that disturbed me, perhaps the use of guns in the hands of children? or maybe the killing of such a beautiful animal, maybe the blasé attitude of American hunters....

Here is a few extracts from the thread.



My son (8 years old) shoots his first deer.

He has been target shooting since 4 (on my lap) and got his hunting license this year. He made a great shot with his .243 on this little cull spike Friday morning. The buck dropped on the spot.


Thumbs up! On his first kill!! Mike, you’re a good father!

Awsome, I wish I could have started that soon.

Good gosh Mike, I think he must have grown a foot since I saw him last, What a great start to his hunting years, you have to mount the spikes for his room.

Great pics, I’m sure you’re a proud papa, and you should be too

Good going Mike, I was 9 when I got my first deer so he beat me by a year. That’s a great age to start them off, If he gets to hunt with you into his teenage years, he’ll be hooked for life. Good job, pop!

Way to go little spray!

(male, Toronto, Canada) says:
Am I the only one cringing at the thought of an 8 year old killing an innocent animal??? I guess since I am not a hunter, I don’t get it! Congrats I guess……

Reply to above:
Don’t you have a tree to hug rather than blathering on about innocent animals being killed? What a dipsh*t!!



And the final comment which is SO contradictory.......Very nice, way to bring up another lover and respecter of nature, I can’t wait for my little guy comes out with me!!

Re: American Blood Sports
 

fair play to them i say

unlike fox hunting where the fox gets detroyed just for fun american hunters do eat what they kill infact i have a friend whos father taught him not to shoot anything that he didnt intend to eat

hope he never shoots a burgular lol

Re: American Blood Sports
 

Re: American Blood Sports
 

it happens in the uk on a smaller scale still

air rifles , ferrets and rabbits :)

Re: American Blood Sports
 

I found this a curious statement Busman. Did you guys think that most hunters just leave their kills out in the woods and fields? Most hunters either eat what they hunt or give the meat away to homeless shelters or to food closets for the poor.

It's a very successful program and helps keep down the over abundance of deer. These of which have cause more and more highway accidents and deaths. They also, when not culled by hunting or cars, do alot of damage to crops, orchards, and gardens.

Brian

Oh, by the way, have never hunted for deer.

Re: American Blood Sports
 

All, very admirable LYY, however, they do do it for the fun of the kill at the end of the day . Not that I am against it or anything, but that is the main reason, or would have professionals doing it all the time rather than hand this job out to the masses. Tis regarded as a sport initially.

Re: American Blood Sports
 

OH, no doubt about it these, guys are really in to either "the challenge" or excitement of the hunt. Though some are quite a bit cold and callous about it.

Actually, the government does have an Agency (Animal Damage Control) that kills off deer populations that have over run certain areas of farmland or in the suburbs.

I do consider it as a bit of a sport and it does harken to the days of our frontierman type heritage. Different reasons for different folks! What gives it most of a bad name are the guys who go off get drunk, shoot anything that moves, don't respect saftey, and end up only wounding the animal or shooting themselves, their friends, or any innocent by stander!

Brian

Re: American Blood Sports
 

I'd rather little Joey learn what its all about when it come to hunting. i.e. that he has to do the dirty stuff as well. How many of our little dears have no idea where that beef burger comes from. At least this kid knows that meat comes from animals that have been killed and gutted etc. He will 'respect' his food far more than 99% of kids in this country.

Re: American Blood Sports
 

Well, thanks for your honesty and information ... can see you are a true gentleman ... xx

P.S. Could do with getting rid of those erksome rat snakes that get squashed on the road .. yuk !

Re: American Blood Sports
 

Deer are cute to look at pulling Santas sleigh , but otherwise are a bloody nuisance, around my area the numbers are out of control due to restrictions on hunting in urban areas and animal rights nutcases who protest at planned county sponsored culls , as LLY says the crop damage they do runs into millions of $$$, and they do cause lots of traffic accidents

Can understand Busmans 'unease' at the thoughts of young-uns using firearms, but these kids are taught to respect guns and know what damage they can do and are very responsible, you never hear of a kid who was raised in a family that hunts getting into bother , a very different culture to the punks in the inner cities who use guns for crime