Politics Hunting Articles
Hunter Etiquette & Responsibility
Respectable hunters live by both a written and an unwritten code. Most of us acknowledge our responsibility to follow the formal and informal rules of etiquette. Webster's dictionary defines etiquette as, "rules governing socially acceptable behavior." Unfortunately there are those among us who choose to ignore etiquette, conducting their hunting activities with only self-serving interests in mind. At a time when our heritage activities are under constant scrutiny it behooves us to heed the importance of etiquette and ethics. As I contemplate this issue I can't help but conclude that it's really all about respect - respecting the law, landowners, the land, as well as non-hunters and hunters alike.
Cry Wolf: Guide to Wolves and Wolf Hunting Opportunities
Ah, the howl of the wolf. Is any sound in nature more primordial? That eerie call, echoing off the spruce and rock faces of a frozen northern lake on a frigid winter's night, can rouse a man from sleep and fill his head with images of tracks in the snow and gore on the ice. A wolf is a paradox. On one hand, it is a fearsome predator; on the other, a social animal that, when caught relaxed, is not all that different from the family dog.
A Hunter's Guide to Crossing the Canada-US Border
There was a time when hunters didn't have to think twice about transporting game and firearms across the Canada/US border. Unfortunately, those days are gone forever. Now, more onerous firearms laws, fear of spreading game-borne diseases, and post 9-11 security concerns have made crossing the border with firearms, trophies, or game meat far more complex. Here's a quick run down of what a traveling hunter needs to know.
Maintaining Our Hunting Heritage or the Kiss of Death? ...You Decide
"World-class hunters competing for big bucks ... cutting edge non-fatal hunting tour..." (www.worldhunt.com). Outdoor writer Kevin Wilson shares his thoughts on the World Hunting Association.
Hunting's Dilemma: Balancing Cost, Access and Opportunity
Forty years ago, when an angry wife confronted her husband about the amount of time he spent chasing wild animals, he could defend his actions by reminding her about the low-cost meat the outings provided. During that era, going hunting usually meant grabbing a shotgun after work and walking out the back door into a neighboring field or woodlot looking for rabbits or other upland game. Licenses were inexpensive and equipment needs were modest.
Is Hunting Recreation or Commerce?
The battle between residents and nonresidents heats up. My grandfather still lives in southeastern Idaho, smack in the middle of one of the premier mule deer units in the country. When I was a boy, anyone who wanted to hunt the area, resident or non-resident-could go to the local hardware store and buy a license the day before the deer opener. Although the locals occasionally muttered about the number of "California hunters", the vast majority of men who took to the hills each fall lived within 50 miles.
What Trophy Should Really Mean
When we hunt we must work hard, we obey the law, we are ethical, and we are reverent. Every animal taken - young or old, buck or doe - is a "trophy". They are gifts of the land.
Private Game Management: A Critical Analysis
BGH takes a critical look at high fence hunting and big game domestication. Issues of fair chase, disease, and public vs private management are reviewed. There are pro's and con's to each side of the fence, but one thing is for sure, the practice will shape the future of big game hunting.