Killing Hunting With Videos

A couple of video clips that crossed my monitor today contrast what’s right and what’s deeply troubling about hunters and the internet.

      Hunters, like all humans, have always done questionable things, embarrassing things, unethical things, stupid things. The problem these days is that we can, and too often do, expose these faux pax moments via video clips posted to millions. We tarnish the hunter’s image, even jeopardize our right to hunt, in the process.

      You can’t fix stupid, but shouldn’t we at least stop shooting ourselves in the foot with these tasteless videos?

      One of those "outdoor news" web sites thought it a good idea to feature a helicopter hog-shooting video, hyping it as the “FIRST Ever Compound Bow Kill from a Helicopter!!!”

      Really? Arrowing a hog from a helicopter is something impressive, a noble act hunters have been striving to accomplish for hundreds of years? A major advancement in woodsmanship?

      What’s next, first ever hog killed by a Mac truck? First pig poked with a pike from a passing Piper Cub? First hog ever killed by a tank round fired from seven miles away using thermal imaging sensors?

       To the video host's credit, he did explain that what he did was not hunting but eradicating an invasive species , which is an important job that benefits the environment. Nevertheless, by glorifying the shot and the kill, the PR damage becomes considerable. The general public doesn't distinguish between animal damage control and legitimate hunting, and I doubt the video will be shown on the Animal Damage Control channel. Anyone cheering or boasting about killin' hogs with a compound bow from a helicopter is going to poison viewers against hunters, plain and simple. That tied old "bloodthirsty killer" phrase rears its head.

      So, if this isn't hunting, why is any part of the hunting industry broadcasting this “news?” Celebrating animal damage control work on an outdoor news site that ostensibly covers hunting is conflating the two and pounding another nail in hunting’s coffin.

      Contrast that video with this eloquent short film that captures the spirit, passion and humanity of hunters. A film like this elevates hunters and hunting to a position of respect. It helps non-hunters see us as caring conservationists, as protectors of native game and native habitats. Positive hunting videos depict us as conscious carnivores committed to an honest, respectful, one-on-one interaction with the natural world, with the prey that sustains us physically and spiritually. 

 Hunting is difficult to explain and hard to defend in an age when most people are wholly disconnected from Nature’s reality. Instead of being understood as integral and essential components of the cycle of life, hunting and meat eating are depicted as destructive, even evil. Never mind that Nature invented predation. Never mind that carnivores are critical components in Her system. Never mind that humans have coexisted with Nature as hunter-gatherers for 99.9 percent of our time on Earth. All of that heritage is degraded with videos that celebrate stunt killings from helicopters. 

      No wonder millions of non-hunters see us as boorish oafs fueled by blood lust. 

      For the record, I don't believe that certain animals are "sacred" and others useless vermin. They all have their place or they wouldn't exist. Those that overpopulate in response to changes humans bring to the world should and must be trimmed. I understand the important job that animal damage control is. I respect those who do it effectively and efficiently. I even appreciate those who make difficult shots and are proud of them. But I don't think these need to be glorified in videos with wide distribution.

      Finally, I don't believe that hunters must be sad and teary eyed when they succeed. Joy and satisfaction for a job well done are normal responses. Not all hunting videos need to be sober and dead serious, but they should try to portray the nobler incentives that fuel our passions. They should at least try to capture the appreciation and respect hunters feel for the game they hunt and the natural habitats that nurture and support us all.

      Hunting, done right, is not a competition with Nature, not an affront or assault on her. It is instead a cooperation with Her, conducted with respect and appreciation for her enduring mysteries.

By: Ron Spomer.  Posted on: Ron Spomer Outdoors, May 8, 2015.

LINK TO WEB SOURCE

Caiere Chase claims no rights to this article, which is only reproduced here for news and archival purposes only.

ALABAMA ROT

FLESH EATING DISEASE IN DOGS IS PUTTING UK PET OWNERS ON HIGH ALERT

   

A disease which eats the flesh of dogs is ravaging the canines of Britain and has already claimed the lives of 30 beloved pets.

Vets are warning dog owners about the disease known as ‘Alabama rot’, which first appears as skin lesions or sores, before causing liver failure and even death if untreated.

The 30 dogs who have died in the past 18 months were a wide variety of breeds and ages.

Now all dog owners are being put on high-alert to watch out for symptoms of Alabama rot in their pets.

If the disease is spotted and treated early infected dogs can easily make a full recovery.

Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Vets4Pets, told the Mirror: ‘Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.’

He went on to warn owners to look out for lesions on their dogs that appear without injury, and mentioned ‘there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease’.

The disease first came to attention in the USA where it led to the deaths of many greyhounds, however it is now understood to be a danger to all dogs regardless of breed.

Author of article: Arthur Wheaton                                                                                           Source: Metro.co.uk          

                                      LINK TO WEB SOURCE                                                          

*************************

  

DOG OWNERS PUT ON HIGH ALERT AS FLESH-EATING DISEASE ALABAMA ROT CONTINUES TO SWEEP UK

There have been 46 cases of Alabama Rot in the UK since December 2013 and numbers are on the rise.

Dog owners have been told be on high alert as flesh-eating disease Alabama Rot sweeps across Britain.

Vets are warning pet owners to be vigilant as the disease can be fatal unless treated and often results in kidney failure.

Recently we reported how 30 dogs over here have died of the disease, which is usually found in greyhounds. None of the 30 were of that breed.

Symptoms start with skin lesions or sores that appear without injury and the number of cases have quadrupled in the UK in the last two years.

Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Vets4Pets, said: "Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.

"If a dog becomes infected the best outcome will come from early and intensive veterinary care, which has resulted in some dogs successfully recovering.

"The concern among vets in the UK is that unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.

"While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, our preventative methods might help put a stop to it in the UK."

                The disease first appeared in the USA in the 1980s but has now spread to 16 English counties, including Kent, London, Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Dorset.

There have been 46 cases of Alabama Rot in the UK since December 2013.

After skin lesions appear there is a 25 per cent chance that the dogs will develop kidney failure.

The vet added: "Any dog owners who think their pet has Alabama Rot symptoms should contact their nearest vet immediately."

Alabama rot: What to look out for, what to do

Typically the skin lesions have been below the knee or elbow of the dog, although they are occasionally seen on the face or bottom of the chest or abdomen.

They may present as a focal swelling, a patch of red skin or a defect in the skin (like an ulcer).

Over the subsequent two to ten days the affected dogs have developed clinical signs of kidney failure which can include vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness.

If you are concerned about your dog please speak to your local vet. If your dog is affected, early recognition of the disease and aggressive management is likely to lead to the best outcome.

Source: www.forestry.gov.uk                                                                                             Article by: Sam Blewett.  Source: mirror.co.uk  Posted on: 09:26, 30 April 2015

LINK TO WEB SOURCE   

*****************************************

Caiere Chase, claims no rights to the above articles, which are reproduced here for news and archival purposes only.

                       LINK TO MORE INFO ON ALABAMA ROT

THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB'S TAKE ON THE CURRENT 2013-2015 HUNTING MORATORIUM AND WILDLIFE SURVEY.

LINK TO PDF OF ABOVE ARTICLE

LINK TO PDF OF ABOVE ARTICLE 

LINK TO PDF OF ABOVE ARTICLE

Editors Note: While I agree with many points put forward in these articles my main area of concern is with the methodologies and protocols used to conduct the wildlife survey and if they are compatible with the habits of our game animals. Up to this time all methodologies and protocols have been kept secret from the general public and wider hunting community, it is this organization's hope that they will be made public knowledge on completion of the survey. (CaiereChase Huntboss).

Post updated: 6:50 pm 14/5/15

Pro-hunting Memes Found Across The Internet

THA To Push For Wildlife Survey

A note will be taken to the Executive Council of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to approve approximately $5 million in funding for a Tobago wildlife survey.

The Secretary of the Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment (DAMME), Godwin Adams says that although a national wildlife survey, in conjunction with other stakeholders, was launched earlier this year, the finances for that initiative have not yet reached Tobago.  

“There was a wildlife survey that we would have announced for Tobago, but that wildlife survey was to be done in cooperation with the EMA (Environmental Management Authority) and the EMA was given the mandate to have this survey done throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The funding for such an exercise did not meet out to Tobago. So, that survey was never started. However, that survey is so important to us in Tobago so that we can get a better idea of our game species in Tobago and their population. I want to assure you that that survey will go on. I am to take a note to the Executive Council to fund this much needed survey.” states Adams.

Although the Secretary could not provide a projected start time for the survey, he did disclose that it will take place over a three year period. Adams emphasised the importance of the island’s wildlife to all sectors of the economy saying, “I feel strongly that a wildlife survey is important to Tobago. A national survey is okay, but what happens in Tobago would be slightly different to what occurs in Trinidad.” He notes that empirical data is critical to the management of wildlife systems on the island.      

Further, the Division is making strides in an attempt to greater manage one of Tobago’s indigenous species, the land crab. “And with us speaking to wildlife, we have crab hunting. Crab hunting has been taken to a different level in Tobago and sometimes we have people purchasing spiders because those crabs are so small they need to grow a little bit more. Against that background, we at the Division will be taking on crab farming and in taking on the crab farming we will look at the best way possible to treat with our land crab,” explains Adams.

He acknowledges however, that this will not be an easy feat given the specific conditions needed for the species to thrive. Adams is calling on the public to join in on the crusade to protect the indigenous animal.

“It’s going to be a very challenging process, but I think that we can surmount those challenges by our crab hunters being very careful with the sizes of crab that they catch and sell to the public. We also want to make the public understand that they are stakeholders in this whole quest for prevention and protection, and preservation of the crab stock on the island because Tobago is known for its beautiful crab and dumpling.” says Adams.

Source: Tobago News.

Author: Mersha Ramsey

Date of publication: 19 April 2015.

LINK TO WEB SOURCE   

Caiere Chase does not claim any rights to this article, which is only reproduced here for news & archival purposes.

Agenda 21- The U.N. Police State Environmental Scam.

Second Phase of Wildlife Survey in the Southern Watershed Commenced 23/3/15

Posted on facebook  Sunday 22/03/15

LINK TO POST