Quote:
Originally Posted by albertaatlatl
I too think that, if the approach was to regulate size, weight, cutting diametre there would be a proper point made. To "ban" a tool, absurd! Too primitive, coming from a bowhunter, ridiculous! We would love to see Atlatls and Spears written into the regulations, just to rid ourselves of ridiculousness! An arrow is an arrow, wood, aluminum, fibreglass, carbon and the like. How many hunters knew what an Atlatl was, before it was brought up? How many hunt with them? So few, that it's a moot point. The ABA needs to withdraw their proposal to ban! What we need to see, is the Atlatlists and Spear hunters have a voice in determination of regulating this tool. Why have our voices not been taken into account at ANY GM for the ABA, AFGA, or AGMAG? Yes, we are an extremely small group, but we should still be heard for our opinion on the issue!!
|
While I see regulation as a waste of time and energy (that ESRD could be focussing on addressing a number of other important issues) it honestly doesn't matter to me. If ESRD wants to set a minimum dart length and cutting head width, and it makes someone feel better, so be it.
However! Opening up the legislation to legislate rules around currently unidentified and imaginary future weapons is ludicrous. I hope that is where it ends, but I wouldn't bet my dog on it.
Expect a revision of minimum cartridge length (cause someone can legally hunt moose with 9mm JR Carbine...) and don't be surprised if you find more items than that on the "banned" list. I know, I know, some of you will stand thumping your chest how those diminutive pistol cartridges should be illegal to use for big game! And I will fully agree that they shouldn't be used.... and the truth is NO ONE IS USING THEM FOR BIG GAME! So there is no need to legislate it, other than to make some people feel comfortable that there are no "what if?" possibilities.
Same as a "sack full of rocks"... is it legal to bludgeon a moose with a sack full of rocks? Technically yes. REALITY - it doesn't matter because virtually no one is that stupid.
But OH, OH, WHAT IF SOMEONE BLUDGEONS A MOOSE WITH A BAG OF ROCKS!?!!! What will we say to the PETA people?!?!
This conversation is ridiculous.
ETA - Before someone accuses me of exaggerating to make an argument, let me explain that the "sack full of rocks" was presented at the AFGA conference as an example of how our laws are not up to the task of regulating hunting weapons by ... Rob Corrigan, our ESRD Provincial Big Game Specialist. Mr. Corrigan also shared with us the potential horror of "endurance hunting" where an "American" wanted to come to AB and run down a deer (or elk or something; didn't catch the species because I was laughing so hard by that point) and kill it with a knife. I love the "American" detail. Perfect.
I can't make this stuff up.