In the thread titled "Is there an African animal you would not shoot?", there are a lot of differing opinions. But no matter of anyone's stated preference, there has been no negative comments regarding one's own personal preferences. That is one of the great things about this forum. The thread got me thinking about an article in one of our local papers written by a well known "outdoor writer" about 5 or 6 years ago. I will not mention this person's name but I am sure many on this forum have heard of him or even know him. I cannot remember the subject of the column but briefly, among other things, the writer stated that anyone who trophy hunts in Africa and mounts the heads is not a true hunter and the whole idea was disgusting to him. He also stated that tigers were becoming scare in India because of trophy hunting. Man, did I see red. I immediately wrote a reply to him. Of course, I never did hear a reply back. I started this this thread because of what I said previously. This forum has a great unity; that being the great sport of hunting. We don't all have to agree on everything, but we must never disagree with one's personal preference for ethical, legal hunting. Below is the reply I wrote. I x'ed out any personal info. Oh, and by the way, at the time I wrote this I had not done any research regarding the affordability of Africa, so just take that with a grain of salt. And I did do my first African hunt in May of this year. Keep up the fight guys and gals.
After reading your column of xxx in the xxxxxxxxxxx I felt compelled to write to you. Since you are an outdoor writer I assumed you would be a person who supported hunting and fishing. I am obviously wrong. Are you a member of PETA? Just thought I'd ask. Do you realize where in Africa the best managed wildlife herds and populations exist? Where there is safari hunting. Yes, it costs a king's ransom to go on one but that money is funneled back to the respective countries game management department, not to mention the jobs that are provided for people in poverty stricken areas. Do you know that elephants are edible? The killing of one provides meat for many people living in the area. Do a Wikipedia search on "elephant populations in Kenya." You might learn something about the value of wildlife where it is protected by no hunting and where it is allowed. Do you also realize that tiger hunting is not allowed today? Loss of habitat, not safari hunting is the cause. How many hunters do you know who have passed up a good tasting doe to shoot an old stringy buck so that they can mount the head? (Maybe even you). I have never been to Africa and unless I have some rich uncle who I don't know about dies and leaves me his fortune I never will. However, I realize the importance of the safari business and the overall good it provides to the country that allows it. I bet the late great Jack O'Conner would be rolling over in his grave if he was able to read the tripe you are writing. Please sir, if you feel this way don't shame yourself and the profession by calling yourself an "outdoor" writer.
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PS Just so you know I love fishing and hunting. I don't have a place to deer hunt anymore and I don't like hunting on public land so I just squirrel hunt. I do eat them and I have no squirrel heads mounted on my wall.
After reading your column of xxx in the xxxxxxxxxxx I felt compelled to write to you. Since you are an outdoor writer I assumed you would be a person who supported hunting and fishing. I am obviously wrong. Are you a member of PETA? Just thought I'd ask. Do you realize where in Africa the best managed wildlife herds and populations exist? Where there is safari hunting. Yes, it costs a king's ransom to go on one but that money is funneled back to the respective countries game management department, not to mention the jobs that are provided for people in poverty stricken areas. Do you know that elephants are edible? The killing of one provides meat for many people living in the area. Do a Wikipedia search on "elephant populations in Kenya." You might learn something about the value of wildlife where it is protected by no hunting and where it is allowed. Do you also realize that tiger hunting is not allowed today? Loss of habitat, not safari hunting is the cause. How many hunters do you know who have passed up a good tasting doe to shoot an old stringy buck so that they can mount the head? (Maybe even you). I have never been to Africa and unless I have some rich uncle who I don't know about dies and leaves me his fortune I never will. However, I realize the importance of the safari business and the overall good it provides to the country that allows it. I bet the late great Jack O'Conner would be rolling over in his grave if he was able to read the tripe you are writing. Please sir, if you feel this way don't shame yourself and the profession by calling yourself an "outdoor" writer.
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PS Just so you know I love fishing and hunting. I don't have a place to deer hunt anymore and I don't like hunting on public land so I just squirrel hunt. I do eat them and I have no squirrel heads mounted on my wall.
