You may have chosen to read this expecting to hear about hunting vs anti-hunting. This is truly a great debate. There are those animal rights activists who claim that the animals have a right to live, and we have no right to take their lives. I find it odd that often times these are the same liberals who advocate killing unborn children. It can't quite figure that one out. The hunters on the other hand argue that we have removed the natural predators, so the animal populations need to be kept in check to maintain a balance in nature. The other side then argues that nature will find its own balance, and we should not interfere. Hunters will add to their argument that hunting is a challenge and an opportunity to really experience and appreciate nature. This goes back to the Native Americans, and how they killed to eat, provide clothing and shelter, yet at the same time fully respected the animals with whom they share the planet. Hunting is actually part of the culture in many areas of our country. Where I currently live, the fastest way to get accepted into the community is show everyone the pictures of the big buck you killed. The anti-group always counters with the fact that you do not have to kill animals to study them. I will interject here that you really don't study an animal until you learn to think like he thinks. The hunters counter with the fact that fees from licensing benefits game and non-game species. It is the greatest source of revenue for protecting the wildlife. The anti-hunters reply with, "We can raise money as well!" The truth is they never scratch the surface of what hunting licenses provide, and that has much to do with why we are still permitted to hunt!
Money is an issue in all aspects of society. You cannot escape it. You also cannot escape the fact that the vast majority of Americans are sensitive to the plight of endangered species. Not many groups argue loudly when decisions are made to protect a species from extinction. However, as the snow goose population continues to over crowd its summer nesting area in the tundra, we should not kill them. What?! Luckily, the biologists disagree and many states have a spring snow goose season without limits and relaxed rules! These rules are different in that you can use electronic calls of actual recorded snow geese, and you can use guns which can hold as many shells as you can handle. On the flip side of this, the cormorant bird is a non-game species of waterfowl that is getting out of control in population. It is eating walleye and bass fry almost as fast as they can be stocked in some areas. Several states have resolved to lessen the number of this invasive species through culling. It makes sense for their wellbeing an that of other native species. However, animal rights activists have gone to court and blocked this effort. The states taking the initiative to keep the population at an equitable level seems to make sense. The only other answer is to make these birds a game animal whereby they will be killed in a less manageable manner. Cormorants have no fear of people or boats or anything. They could be slaughtered out of existence unintentionally.
Luckily this blog is not about hunters vs anti-hunters, snow goose or cormorant management. Its just about sitting in a duck blind with my buddies and my furry companion. We call out to ducks who do not care who was elected president! The fun is to try and conceal yourself from their prying eyes, and try to fool them into thinking that their friends found a safe place to land. After spending time and money accomplishing that task, we try to harvest our dinner as it moves swiftly through the air. That is no easy task! The time waiting is just as enjoyable to me. I have the pleasure of watching the sun rise. I hear the birds sing as the cool breeze blows the marsh grass down wind of our decoys. The smell of nature and all of its fragrances, good and bad, top off the day. How lucky I am to be out here in an environment that does not care about political views. It is not going to try and persuade me to any certain way of thinking. It is just a collection of life doing its thing. How enjoyable! This is my escape! I hope for the rest of my life and yours that there is no politics in waterfowl hunting!
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