I came across this article today and I am astounded and sickened by Will Verboven's assumptions and observations. I guess he is entitled to his opinion and apparently there is no reason to let the facts get in the way of a good rant.
Let's make hunting easier to attract more hunters? Good Lord, what's next? Baiting, ropes, high fences and easy chairs?
Stick to the video games Will, and leave hunting to those that do not judge the quality of our hunt by the animals we harvest! Regards, Mike
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http://digital.albertafarmerexpress....ame_main&pc=ae
From Page 4
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Paid hunting needs to be recognized
WILL VERBOVEN
EDITOR
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The issue of paid hunting seems to be on the agenda again in Alberta. This time it is different from the earlier battles for the legalization of hunt farms. This time it involves an attempt by means of government programs to see landowners paid for hunter access to private property. Essentially the programs recommend that landowners be paid a daily fee by the government or be assigned a number of tags which they could sell to outfitters or hunters. Either program has hunter groups through fish and game associations up in arms.
What hunter groups clearly want is unfettered and free access to hunt where they please and when they want as some sort of inherent right. It seems from their response they do not consider access to private land as a privilege for which the landowner might want to expect some compensation for the disruption, liability and danger.
Part of the issue seems to be that hunter groups consider wildlife to belong to the public, which from their perspective probably means for their exclusive hunting. This approach is quite persuasive as these groups were part of the successful campaign to ban hunt farms for captive elk and deer in Alberta. That was a truly hypocritical decision as over 40 hunting preserves exist for the private hunting of game birds, buffalo and wild boar. Apparently elk are deemed to be a privileged species that should not be subjected to such an indignity. I doubt if it really matters to an elk whether it is shot in the wild, in an enclosure or a slaughterhouse.
Perhaps hunter groups also protest too much. In many areas of the province they are not even exercising their hunting privileges, if one considers that in a number of regions the numbers of deer and elk are reaching plague proportions. Most ranchers are faced with nuisance ungulates that are devastating hay supplies and winter range — where are the hunters that are demanding access when you need them.
As with the hunt farm issue, ideology and ego tend to trump common sense. There is also the sentimental aspect connected with the hunter culture. But let’s get real, times have changed and people have changed. As a province we need to look at the bigger picture to see how we can achieve both better wildlife control and increase the economic return from hunting. Sentiment is a wonderful thing but when it comes to wildlife management that belongs in a Disney movie.
The fact is there are fewer hunters every year and I expect those that remain want to have a more accessible and comfortable hunting experience. The other fact is we also need more hunters to provide both wildlife control and economic activity in rural areas.
Other jurisdictions in the U. S. and neighbouring Saskatchewan have understood that reality and have taken steps that put Alberta at a disadvantage. Hunt farms are the perfect example of an idea that works. They bring in hunters because they provide what they really want — guaranteed and successful access to trophy animals. That’s what will bring them back and from out of province again and again. Those of us that have hunted would agree that spending fruitless days in freezing weather in the wilderness with no success or even sightings does not endear one to continue hunting as a rewarding hobby. Common sense would show that making hunting easier would encourage enthusiasm for the sport.
The same is true for paid hunting on private land. If that makes access to prime hunting land more accessible and successful then it should be encouraged to increase the number of hunters. Besides let the free marketplace decide whether the program works or not. If ideologically dedicated hunters don’t like the program they can go elsewhere to more remote public lands to hunt.
I doubt if paid hunting will discourage hunting as some might allege, success is the key in hunting that’s why paid hunting and hunt farms have proven so successful in other jurisdictions. It all makes sense but don’t expect any government enlightenment on this subject.
Alberta is the most highly urbanized province in Canada and most folks living in our towns and cities don’t hunt and have a Disneyesque view of the wilderness. Governments know how to count votes and bad press on wildlife issues don’t help the counting. Hunter groups and self-appointed environmental groups know that too.
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