tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37913725.post1059333076278350114..comments2023-03-29T07:22:43.667-06:00Comments on sometimes far afield: Hunting, perception, and semanticsmdmnmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191436711956580423noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37913725.post-9452936721167045552009-01-21T09:14:00.000-07:002009-01-21T09:14:00.000-07:00Matt,Really fantastic comment, thanks! I had read ...Matt,<BR/><BR/>Really fantastic comment, thanks! I had read your letter to the FWS but didn't think to link it. I'm glad you included a line and I'm going to update the post with that link, as it emphasizes the point about the mis-perception of "sport hunting" quite nicely. <BR/><BR/>Also, your observation that "The notion that I should not enjoy hunting reveals both the Puritanical impulses of antis, and their basic misunderstanding of predatory behavior." is particularly apt. A lot of folks are uncomfortable with the idea that hunting is fun, equating it with the idea that killing is fun, thereby rendering all hunters potential (or depending upon who you talk to, actual) psychopaths.mdmnmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191436711956580423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37913725.post-86479555068517791062009-01-21T06:51:00.000-07:002009-01-21T06:51:00.000-07:00Mike I wrote a post with this theme on my blog a w...Mike I wrote <A HREF="http://matthewmullenix.blogspot.com/2006/03/hunting-eating-wild-birds.html" REL="nofollow">a post</A> with this theme on my blog a while back, in the context of the USFWS rule changes to the "sport hunting" of migratory birds. I believe I've sent you the link before during our crane discussion... anyway:<BR/><BR/>I took exception to their term, noting that it is (a) inaccurate in the sense that most bird hunters eat birds (therefore it is arguably subsitence hunting), and it (b) plays perfectly into the hands of those who (perhaps like <A HREF="http://stephenbodio.blogspot.com/2009/01/be-very-araid.html" REL="nofollow">Mr. Sunstein</A>) see no point in hunting "for sport."<BR/><BR/>My own hunting is certainly "for sport," in part, owning to the fact that most of what my hawks catch, they eat. I am a happy participant and spectator, but not a direct beneficiary of the rats and sparrows we normally catch.<BR/><BR/>But then again, we hunt rabbits and other edibles also, all of which I keep and eat. My perspective is that what the hawk eats most days sustains him and makes him in shape, keeping my "weapon" in good working order for when I need him to catch something for the pot.<BR/><BR/>As I wrote in the above blog post, I don't feel that enjoyment of my hunting is something I need feel ashamed of. Enjoyment is a good and necessary part of many worthwhile activities, even when it is not "the point" of them. The notion that I should not enjoy hunting reveals both the Puritanical impulses of antis, and their basic misunderstanding of predatory behavior. <BR/><BR/>Enjoyment is essential! Have they never seen a hunting dog at work? <BR/><BR/>No, I suppose not. :-)Matt Mullenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11198069782508775543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37913725.post-38844782416297687472009-01-20T08:36:00.000-07:002009-01-20T08:36:00.000-07:00Live to Hunt,Thanks! Yeah, depending upon mood and...Live to Hunt,<BR/><BR/>Thanks! Yeah, depending upon mood and circumstance I think a lot of hunters might fall into different categories at different times. The perception of the terms by non-hunters is really interesting, though.mdmnmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191436711956580423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37913725.post-34599016126438764872009-01-17T09:20:00.000-07:002009-01-17T09:20:00.000-07:00This was a really geat, informative post. Thank yo...This was a really geat, informative post. Thank you! I think there is a little bit of each of these in all of us.Jon Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15517639796366064724noreply@blogger.com