Hunting operation stays open
So there is one small victory on the “canned hunting” front. I was somewhat divided on the whole issue for a time and when that happens I will always lend the benefit of the doubt to the private party versus the government. But over the coarse of the debate my mind has been slowly moved to favor the reserves and the way the attack dogs in the press, animal rights movements and government have conducted themselves swayed me as much as anything.
With canned hunting as a whole I do have small concerns on operations that don’t give the critter a sporting chance. Shutting them in a stock yard is, as Fezzik would say, “not very sportsman like”. But if the operation has enough space, say a couple hundred open acres, where they conduct the hunts I’m perfectly OK with that. Especially seeing how small some of the wood lots are around fields and subdivisions these days where a large amount of hunting takes place in Indiana.
Someone wanting to hunt a preserve isn’t going to spend money for mistreated and scrawny animals so the free market itself will ensure that most preserves treat their animals appropriately. And though deer are not cows, with current population numbers as they are, I see little reason to treat the two so differently as long as the correct balance of population control is maintained. Frankly I think the State should extend hunting season on white tail several more weeks to give the private reserves a bit more competition. We export a lot of natural resources why should deer be any different if the business is humanly conducted? Do we seriously want to bring and encourage business in this state or not?
Why would people want to hunt a preserve? Consider how hard it is to find someplace to hunt in a state rapidly being overtaken by urbanization. When you do find a place to hunt it seems legitimate hunters are often pushed out by trespassers; exactly why I’ve not been out for regular deer season for a decade. And a confrontation between the legit and trespassing hunters is a quick way for a farmer to decide that allowing hunting on his property is just too much trouble. Though the trespassers won’t stop the honest hunter will find someplace else or even give up the sport altogether.
Lastly a “Game reserve” is far from a dirty business. Try to go hunting much of anywhere outside of the US and frequently you’re restricted to a reserve. There nothing shameful or shady about it and I would strongly argue there are positive benefits from reserves and there are many an Afrikan operation that will bare this out.
April 1st, 2006 at 9:03 am
Just watch any hunting show on television , and you will see the advertisers are from hunting “ranches” , that do this very thing.
My brother in law “leases” property every year for hunting rights , and then allows a few people to hunt with him if they are willing to split the lease and pay their share. I see not much of a difference as some of the property he leases is only 50 -75 acres and hunted by several people.
Ted Nugent even does this very thing for a huge fee you can go hunt with Ted in Michigan on his property. The only problem I could see is if they were using very tall fences and making sure the deer could not get out.
I believe they have to be hunted in their natural existence , anyone who has ever hunted knows you can’t just walk into the woods and come out with a deer , they have the advantage , and when that advantage is taken away , then just like you said , “not very sportman like” . I hunt every year and some times go 4-5 years before I fill a tag , not because I don’t see deer , just don’t see one worth taking , I am getting lazy, maybe I should just consider going hunting with my camera instead of a gun ? not a chance.
April 1st, 2006 at 4:12 pm
What they seem to be after most they classify as “high fence” operations. I guess I really don’t have a problem with such operations as long as the “high fence” surronds an area larger than a few acres for as any hunter knows the deer certainly have the home court advatage in the woods.
Also some of these operations are breeding their own herds which makes the high fence type ranch a loss prevention measure. They’re not going to breed and raise nice healthy jerky-to-be when it can run off at a whim. They’re in a livestock business though a less than conventional one for Indiana.