Author's Note: I am very blunt and truthful in this article. I do volunteer for the Park Service, therefore I'm biased. Don't send me hate mail, it's not worth it. Chat in the BBS instead.
Hello Whyvillians. I know I haven't written in a while, but I haven't felt like there was anything meaningful enough for me to write about. I guess I just didn't have inspiration, until last week. Dovepaw's article, "The Truth Behind The Gun", finally broke my spell of silence.
Everyone is entitled to there own opinion. That's the great thing about the Times, you get to voice your opinion, as Dovepaw did last week. Now it's my turn. I'm going to show you the other side of hunting -- the consequences.
You have to have a license to fish or hunt before anything else, and if you're caught without one, you in big trouble. In addition to that, every year, a certain number of hunting permits are issued for a certain species. These are to protect that species. Well, it won't hurt if I shoot a second deer, right? Wrong -- dead wrong (no pun intended). Say the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the department responsible for hunting, gives out 300 permits, okay? That means they only think 300 should die, leaving enough for a strong population. Now, if everyone shot one extra deer thinking "It won't matter," you just doubled the amount killed. That can lead to devastating results. Take the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear, for instance. They were hunted for years for their pelts, and were almost brought to extinction. After regulations were imposed, they began to regroup, and are thriving today, still protected, of course.
"So what, we don't have deer get over it already." You all know about the food chain, right? So, wolves hunt deer, correct? What happens if there are no deer for the wolves to feed on? They die too. So, how does killing that extra deer sound now?
"Whatever, I don't care. So some animals die cause I shot another. Why should I care?" Well, other than being inhumane (*cough*Karma*cough*), you are now violating the law. And let me tell you, the penalties are harsh. Don't believe me, let's see what the State of Michigan has to do with you. (Laws vary, but these were the clearest to understand, but let me remind you they are harsh everywhere):
1) Violation of permits, amount, how killed -- $50-$500 and/or up to 90 days in jail
2) Illegal taking of deer or bear -- $200- $1500 and/ or 5-90 days in jail. Hunting license revoked for 3-4 years
3)Multiple Offender - $500- $2000 and 10- 180 days in jail
Doesn't sound fun, does it?
"Where can I hunt?" You cannot hunt anywhere. There are designated places where you can hunt. There are also designated places, like Wildlife Refuges where there is a definite hunting no-no. These usually have double the penalties. Have a giant field that goes on and on near your house? Just plan on hunting there where no one is and no one cares. The truth is, you don't really know what that is, do you? Check and see what it is and if it's legal to hunt there before you hunt!
Want to go out on your own and shoot it up? I think not. It is illegal for a minor to have possession, not to mention fire, a gun without a parent or guardian. And always wear you proper protective gear! But that's off topic . . .
"Aww, whatever, I won't get caught." Take it from someone who sees this all the time, you will get caught eventually. By who, you ask? Fish and wildlife service officers, park rangers, US park police, regular law enforcement, park staff, volunteers, or visitors who don't like you hunting there. Don't mess with them. And the first four listed? They are all sworn peace officers (aka cops), who carry weapons, have powers of arrest, etc. If they tell you to do something, do it -- now. Don't ever point a weapon at them because they will shoot back, until you drop your weapon. You don't want that hunting violation to turn into aggravated assault or murder, do you? Now that's really off topic . . .
Now for my opinion. I think hunting is wrong, unless your going to hunt for need and intend to use all of the animal, hunt in moderation, and not to treat it like a sport. Hunting's not a sport -- it's a game of death. You don't want to be stalked and killed, right? Well neither do the animals. I truly believe that if you hunt for sport, you are compensating for a short coming.
Hunting for sport will never stop, and I'm not saying you need to. What I'm saying is to hunt with a heart; hunt in moderation.
Signing off, this is Eric5675
Author's Note: Sources:
State of Michigan -- http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_38954_38955-149754--,00.html
US Fish and Wildlife Service -- http://www.fws.gov/
