I think that depends solely on what kind of hunter you are. Are you the type that prepares and plans his hunt? You scout out places where the game is. You search for tracks and signs of wildlife. You get up early and dress in camo, and creep through the woods or sit in a blind for hours. That's one way of hunting.
That is the way I support. It is the way the HSUS supports.
What they don't support is inhumane treatment and down right cruelty. Neither do I.
There is a difference between treating animals humanely, and treating them like humans.
The HSUS has NO AFFILIATION with PETA. Surprised? Click here to see for yourself: Departments & Affiliations
Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty.
HSUS believes in the sportsman's rule of FAIR CHASE. So do I. With that said, here are some more things they object to, and so do I.
Puppy Mills - Where dogs live their whole life in tiny cages and are bred constantly. Where illnesses and disease runs ramped and vet checks are few and far between. Parasites and worms infect every dog. Never a pet on the head, a kind word, or to be a allowed to walk or run around. Never to be part of a loving family. Never to be allowed to do what they were intended to do. Sometimes denied food or water. Put down when they are no longer of use. And then they sell the puppies to places like PETCO. I can not imagine the cruelty these poor dogs suffer. As a breeder, it makes me sick. It makes me terribly sad. And even worse, most likely these puppies will have behavioral problems and health issues when they get "sold" into a home. And then what happens? People take them to the pound.
What a huge mess! And it all started with someone who decided to cage an animal and breed it constantly for the sole purpose of his own personal financial gain. No regard to the animals life. HSUS works constantly to save these puppies and put them into homes.Free Range & No Battery Cages - Have you ever seen these battery cages? They "stuff" the chickens into these tiny cages with a bunch of other chickens. Then they stack them on top of each other, row after row. They live in nasty conditions, even among carcasses of dead chickens. The chickens do not have enough room to do the normal things a chicken does such as; nesting, perching, dust bathing and stretching their wings. All important to the health and well being of the chicken.
No big deal, you say, it's just a chicken? They are animals and they do feel pain. They are entitled to a pain free existence. Chickens are valuable animals to us. They provide our eggs and Sunday fried chicken dinner!
When chickens get stressed, their bodies release hormones. Hmmm......hormones in my chicken? We know that's not good. Think about it. Seriously, how can a chicken that lives in these horrible conditions, produce a healthy egg??
I have to wonder about all the cancer, autism, super germs and new diseases. Are they connected?
As for range free chickens, it is all I buy. Once I tried one, I could actually taste a better flavor and juicer meat. No bruises, or purplish meat. No hormones (natural or added). Happier chickens taste better! I believe they are better for us. I don't think there is enough difference in the cost to matter.
HSUS works constantly convincing the big egg suppliers in the US to try better methods for producing eggs in healthier environments. And has succeeded with several of the largest companies in the U.S.
Computer Hunting - I didn't even know this existed until I was doing research for this post. If you don't know what it is, this is the description: You are at home on you couch, or at your desk computer. Someone, somewhere else, like another state even, has a corral of animals. For the right price (of course) the guy with the animals, sends them to the feeding stations for dinner. You, at home, can see the animals in the pen through a connection on you computer. You are watching them like watching tv. You pick the one you want, take aim, and CLICK your mouse. If you miss, the animal never gets the chance to run away. Someone near the penned animals will finish of the animal for you and send you your, (so called) trophy. This to me, is just so wrong. It's lazy and not the sportsman like attitude or behavior. Sure as hell not "Fair Chase".
According to the dictionary on my Mac, this is the meaning of TROPHY:
#1 A cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a VICTORY or SUCCESS.
#2 A souvenir of an ACHIEVEMENT especially a part of an animal taken when hunting.
I believe if someone is going to call something a "trophy", it should be something that was earned and worked for, through fair competition. There are plenty of video games to play for target practice. Picking off any confined animal lured to a meal, over a computer is nothing more than a childish game. It is not success. It is not a victory. It is not an achievement. It is NOT HUNTING and it is not humane. IT IS NOT A TROPHY. Having money for such a game, doesn't entitle one to call it a trophy.
As far as I can tell, the HSUS works to protect the welfare and existence of all animals. They do not put animals before humans, they work to help animals and humans co-habitat peacefully and successfully. I like that.
I searched the HSUS website for anything against hunters or hunting. I could not find anything that I though was unfair or unjust. I realize that is just my opinion, but really, do you know of ANYTHING HSUS does that interferes with the hunters rights?
I know I'm opening a big ol' can of worms here, but lets have this discussion with respect to differing opinions. State the facts, or your opinions. I'd love to hear from you all.
Take a second look at the Humane Society @ http://www.humanesociety.org/about/
Let me know what you find!
