Need help with research...

- When did you first get into hunting?
When I was young, around 10 yrs old. I got out of it around 14 yrs old and returned to it at about age 37.
- Do you enjoy it, and if so what is the best part?
Personally I find stocking the animals the best part of the hunt with the lead up to the correct shot. Then enjoying the meat from the animal.
- Some hunters have pets at home who they adore, how do you separate this from what you do?
The western world has humanized animals. Pets are pets, Dogs, Cats, etc. Humanizing animals such as the animals we grew up reading about in story books doesn't make any sense to Africans, they eat them all. I thought I knew a lot about Africa before I hunted there, I knew little. I would never have thought about hunting Zebra or Giraffe due to the unconscious humanization I had for them. Then I got there, I saw how many there were. I was told Zebra meat was amazing. I was told I had eaten a Giraffe Burger. Then I saw how nothing was wasted, NOTHING. I now have no issue of hunting these animals. I hope to hunt a Giraffe next time, the Zebra I harvested tasted amazing on the braai, the rest of him was donated to http://www.moholoholo.co.za. If you want to lean about what hunters do for conservation, go there and hear it first hand from those who appreciate hunters.
I'm a pet owner, Dogs and Cats. They are domesticated pets, they wouldn't last 3 nights out of the house, they are not wild animals with the instinct to survive. Huge difference.
- Have you personally noticed any changes in animal population numbers since you started hunting?
Yes, my local government does not see hunting as something they want continued so they keep issuing the same amount of tags for fewer and fewer animals. Pressure from people who do not like hunting is also taking the toll. Clear cutting of the forests has removed their habitat and food source.
- Do you have any moral objections to certain types of hunting i.e. is there anything you simply wouldn't do?
If it's easy, I lose interest. If it's hard and challenging then I'm more into it. If you harvest it, you eat it. That's my perspective.
- Have there been any low points for you when hunting?
Tasting the amazing meat from Africa and knowing I can only get that meat there. I can't import to my country.

@Kat M

I disagree to your comment of 'food for thought' on the fact that you like a game pie. When you purchase meat at a store or restaurant you are, in effect, paying someone else to kill the animal for you to consume. In our case, we are paying to kill the animal to feed ourselves or in the case of African hunting, paying to kill an animal to feed others. We look at the trophies on our walls and photos to remember the effort it took (from 95 degrees for hours of tracking to have the wind change and the animal disappear in the brush to well below freezing never having an older buck walk by but enjoying the does and younger deer), the oneness with nature and failures and successes - yes, just like lions and leopards we aren't successful on all of our hunts either.

Our investment ($'s) changes land usage from domestic animal production to wild animals - better land usage and brings the land back to a better balance. These dollars protect a much larger land mass than countries in Africa can afford to protect - thus the hunting concessions surrounding national parks double or triple the total amount of land set aside for wildlife. This expands the game area and the safari companies that run them reduce poaching and remove snares and traps.

John

I got into hunting late in life. For me, it was about being self-sufficient. If all hell broke out in the world, could I provide for my family. Its also about being healthy. Flat out, game meat is far healthier than the garbage meat you buy in the stores. Its also the healthiest form of protein.

Why I enjoy it? Hunting allows me to be outdoors, to breathe, and enjoy my surroundings. To see and near touch the animals I have only seen on TV as a child, or read about in books. It allows me to travel to places I never dreamed about. And I also love the challenge of me against them. Seeing just how close you can get to a wild animal, is a thrill. There's no such thing as a defenseless animal.

How do I separate the animals I have as pets from those I hunt? This one makes me laugh. Some animals we eat, some we don't. That's a cultural choice. But hunting is no different than putting a pet down. We, as hunters, take the old ones or the problem animals: the ones past the ability to produce or who can be a problem for the younger ones trying to mate, so that the herds can remain healthy. Its boils down to mercy. Death is never pleasant for animals or humans. We all wish to die as quickly and painlessly as possible. So, an ethical hunter will WORK to ensure an animal is put down as quickly and painlessly as possible. Would you let your pet suffer? No. You will take it to a vet to do the same as we do as hunters. And P.S....I'm hospice trained. I am trained to be there for those who are dying and for their families. Not only trained, but experienced. Death sucks.

Determining animal populations? I leave that to those on the ground actually counting the numbers. Not to some cat lover out of the UK who has no remote clue of how Africa must live. ONLY if they believe an area needs a break in hunting, should hunting take a breather. Other wise, more damage is done to a species than is realized to those outside Africa.

Moral objections to certain types of hunting? The only moral objection I have would be for those hunters who have no regard for the animal's suffering. Some hunters may choose a method I don't. But as long as they are practicing ethical hunting, I have no problem.

My lowest point in hunting? Dealing with the unethical ones in this industry. Those who truly have no regard for humans or animals. They're just in it for the money or promotion. Even on this site, unethical hunters are promoted. And it sickens me.

If you need examples or stories to the points I make, please feel free to message me.

KAT IS A TROLL YOU SHOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANTI TROLLS!! I have 3 degrees from major universities and held the title of assoc professor at the Univ of Mich (go Blue) no places have thesis for B.S. degree nor would except opinions off a blog in any real research paper, dissertation or thesis!! down with the ye troll!!