Shooting animals
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I have the odd pop at a pheasant at my neighbour's place. I hardly ever hit one so I don't feel that bad. Is shooting a good or a bad thing? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5387358.stm[^]
Do you eat it? I can't see the point to ending the life of an animal for no reason other then target practice.
Steve
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I have the odd pop at a pheasant at my neighbour's place. I hardly ever hit one so I don't feel that bad. Is shooting a good or a bad thing? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5387358.stm[^]
I live in a state where people come from all over the world to hunt pheasant, deer, turkey, cougars, ducks, geese, fish and I'm sure a few more animals that I'm missing. Yes, it makes our state a ton of money every year. On the first day of a hunting season (except fishing) the local news talks about how all the planes coming into the state are full, they have a full reception area for hunters, can buy ammunition at the airport (don't ask me how that one is legal...still haven't figured it out), and they even have a separate "luggage" area for dog kennel pickup. I personally find no satisfaction in hunting. However, many people I know eat what they kill (I think goose pate is gross but deer jerkey is good) so that to me is an added benefit for people because a couple of deer can feed the family for the winter. Our Game, Fish and Wildlife department take a lot of time in determining how many of an animal can be killed each season, and it can vary depending on the populations. Personally I think they could kill a few more deer as I almost hit one five times a winter, but I love watching the Canadian Geese on the lake I live on. Hunting is a way of life in the United States. For those who are descendants of the Homestead Act farmers, hunting has been passed down the generations. Here in South Dakota they have a traditional Native American buffalo hunt once a year. (Well, traditional if you take out the SUV's driving around.) As a lover of furry things (except my husband's back) I don't mind hunting as long as they are not using things that will create suffering for the animal. For example, hunting with a deer with an arrow and bow does not usually kill the animal immediately and it suffers needlessly. Just use a shotgun or rifle and get it done the first time.