by Willard King

Created on: August 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 26, 2010

For all the people who wrote in the "No" category, if you had ever tried the sport of hunting, than and only than would your opinion matter. I read through several who claim that as men we only kill for the sake of feeling manly...if that doesn't smack of penis envy I don't know what else qualifies. As a hunter, I have been at this sport for more than 15 years; I do not kill for the sake of killing. Often I sit and watch the animals just to see them in their natural habitat; even a picture or two is taken.

So for all those who have not tried it, yet feel qualified to condemn the sport, because no matter what you tree huggers think, it is a sport! It takes skill, patience, marksmanship and number of combined qualities that take years to acquire and perfect. So sit back down and try to write something about which you may actually know about. Leave the debate to people who have a clue as to what is going on. People who take part and have an opinion based on experience and facts.

Hunting for me is a way of enjoying the outdoors, in the fall the best way to see the colors of the many trees. Most often the best scenery is found in the remote backwoods, where coincidentally the best hunting is often to be had. The last two years the average from the Ministry of Natural Resources of animals taken, does not match up with the growth rate of the deer population. Does this ring a bell for some of you? I drive through Ottawa and nearly hit a ten point buck twice in the same week! For those who don't know what that is, take a mature male deer add a huge rack of antlers and say the words holy s#@t! Because that is what we as hunters do when such a magnificent animal is viewed in the bush, or if you are lucky, on the other end of your gun sights.

The amount of deer running through the streets of Barrhaven, Kanata and outer limits of many cities are increasing. So to not let people hunt them will only increase the number of provide a valuable service by gleaning these animals. The hunting accidents were another hopefully it is the people against the hunting that will sooner than later realize, hunters year, for those who make rash remarks, look at the states before you make your ridiculous claims, over one million deer taken in Ontario in each of the last few seasons. The average was printed that it takes three shots per deer taken down. So with three million bullets fired off, yet less than 7% accident rate, with less than 2% fatality. That spells a pretty safe sport to me, how many bullets are fired off in Afghanistan everyday?

Taking the hunters safety course not only prepares the hunters for what to look for, what is out of the ordinary, is there a presents of rabies? If you have been confronted by a sick animal you know it. And even if it costs you, your hunt for that morning or evening I have yet to meet a hunter who hasn't dealt with the sick animal accordingly. The course also instills the knowledge to help young and old hunters, new or not with ethics. A moral code if you will that eventually you do take to heart and helps you in everyday life. To bad more of our government leaders did not have this as a mandatory course to have
So too all you nay sayer's out there, who have never left your couch yet feel compelled to voice your uneducated opinion on this matter. I feel sorry for you in a way, to be so blind and ignorant yet feel your opinion is valid, stick with what you know, and as an adult you should no better than to offer an opinion on something you know next too or nothing about. Shame on you.

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