The reply was an extremely well thought out and articulated response. Even within the hunting community, Elephant and in some sense all African hunting can be a very misunderstood and controversial topic. I honestly wish Hunter Safety classes here in the states talked a little more about it in an effort to help dissuade the myths and fallacies associated with it. I grew-up in a hunting household, in a town with a lot of hunters and got the “African Hunting is just trophy hunting” view. Until my father joined me on our first safari (which he was hesitant to do at first) I think he had some misconceptions.
Well..Unless one lives or has a residence in Africa or in another country that will allow the legal import of bush meat for personal consumption, pretty much everywhere else one lives outside of Africa, Hunting in Africa is "....just trophy hunting".
Sure hunters dollars are responsible in many ways for the conservation, habitat protection, anti poaching efforts, of African wildlife. And for many economic factors in many of the African countries.
Other than croc and cape buffalo being associated to gator and to beef and bison respectively, as an "exotic" delicacy. Most people don't think, or want to consider, the rest of the Dangerous 7 as a food source. Much like getting a child to eat brussel spouts, broccoli, asparagus, etc. for the first time.
For the most part, Plains Game on the other hand, is comparable to deer, elk, moose, the American antelope, and hog/pig, which are easily accepted as a food source. Animals like hyena, jackal, wild dog can be associated to wolf, fox, and coyote as varmints thereby need to be hunted to keep their respective population in check.
Then there are the primate species, apes, baboons, chimpanzees and monkeys that are associated/ resemble/imitate humans. Now this is definitely going to start a controversy; 'Why it's intentionally murdering another human being; and to eat!? are you mad!? why that's outright cannibalism.'
I agree more and better information needs to be taught in hunter education classes. But not just in hunter ed classes, that same information also needs to be taught in science and biology classes.
IMO....The controversy stems from:
MSM Nature programs showing cute cuddly side of wildlife with some of these programs including the reality of the daily rigors wildlife, predator and prey, must do to survive. Yet even in these segments it's down played.
Because hunting and even fishing programs are not part of the MSM anti agenda MSM will not allot a reseasonable an air time slot for hunting, fishing, and general outdoor programs that contains such content.
Hunting programs besides mostly showing bs gadget commercials, and scenery. Lacks in discussing the importance of hunting, age of the animals, anti poaching efforts, population to habit sustainability, and the need for conservation programs.
Those few hunting programs that do have episodes of hunting in Africa, much like their MSM counterpart, also somewhat down play or don't show the vast damage and destruction the Dangerous 7 cause.
Hunting program hosts are their own worst enemy with all the over celebratory high fives, back slapping, oh yeah's and oh babies, jumping around, etc., etc. over killing an animal as if they single handedly won a major war. When just a couple of simple hand shakings with a couple of congratulations on winning a battle of witts would be much more productive.
Then there are those social media heroes. Self proclaimed "hunters" that give ethical hunters and outfitters a bad name and add fuel to the "antis" misinformation propaganda.
Like that’s not enough, we inside our own hunting community create more controversy over topics of long range shooting, and baiting - killing an animal, mainly whitetail deer, at a timer controlled feeder.
Baiting lion, leopard, hyena, and bear, so the hunter/guide/PH can better judge the respective animal regarding sex, age, etc. as a shooter/ no shooter and the need to bait for the more elusive animals like hogs, coyotes, and wolves to draw these animals out of their respective hiding places. Baiting is a bit less controversial.
IMPO...There is one perverbial coin.
Antis on one side and hunters on the other. Back to back. We will continue to disagree. Hunters will forever be vigilant on protecting and preserving wildlife and their habitat for future generations while the antis will continue trying to destroy our efforts.
