I was reading Ed Hardin’s column in today’s Greensboro Record and his reflections on the decline of hunters despite the important role they play in conservation. As he points out at one time the opening of squirrel season in many parts of the country was a much bigger day then it is in our current society.
Squirrel hunting was how many people got their start in hunting back not all that long ago but the deer & turkey populations were virtually non existent in most parts. With strong deer populations today and squirrel season opening during deer season not many folks get out and hunt squirrels. I think there are some good reasons to start a kid on small game rather then big game;
• Teaching Gun Safety with smaller caliber or birdshot rather then higher caliber or slugs/ buckshot
• Small game is great to practice and learn woodsmanship skills where as big game a mess up can scare everything for a while.
• Small game is more tolerant of human voice and scent.
• Hunts can easily accommodate a short period of time.
One unusual lines in Ed’s column that has me scratching my head is this one;
Even the Humane Society, which points to the increasing numbers of birdwatchers and wildlife photographers as evidence of shifting trends, is on record supporting hunters under certain circumstances.
Huh? News to me I was unaware that the Humane Society supported any form of hunting. If any of my readers are aware of a situation where the Humane Society supported a hunting opportunity please share with me.
Ed makes some great points in his article so check it out and by all means if you get the opportunity to take a kid hunting or fishing please do.
