Thread: The little bunny that moved in..

There are many good reasons why we go out to hunt and kill game species. To gather the meat, help cull and control wild animal populations in our mountains/bush/farm environments, to let some of that old hunter/warrior DNA out of the closet, and simply to enjoy the beauty of the kiwi outdoors. Hunters/farmers do a great job culling/controlling invasive animal populations - pigs/deer/bunnies etc. A very important role - our team does this every shoot. Unfortunately Jacinda never understood this.

But even amongst all this killing/culling its extremely rare to find men/women who hate the target species. In fact the reverse is true. A great many hunters admire and enjoy the wild game - be it a big red stag stepping out in a clearing, a 220lb boar with 3" tusks, a bull tahr on a mountain rock, or a wallaby sitting quietly under a matagouri bush. Usually we will shoot, but sometimes ...we watch quietly for a time, and leave them. Yep - more often as you get older..

So no surprise when hardened hunter/killers chuckle when a little bunny appears on the back lawn, in the woodpile etc looking for a safe place. As the many pics/posts above attest, the same hunters are just as likely to smile some, let him be, let him have a safe haven. A bit of compassion, mercy, and a profound fondness for wildlife. No guarantees however with the bloody cats...

Originally Posted by mudgripz

So no surprise when hardened hunter/killers chuckle when a little bunny appears on the back lawn...

It's funny you say that, because if I look out a window or door and give a little laugh, the dog tears outside looking for a bunny!

It's easy to let it be when it is no challenge to shoot it.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

But even amongst all this killing/culling its extremely rare to find men/women who hate the target species.

I think that is true apart from possums. They seem to evoke visceral hatred in a lot of people, even non-hunters.

No "pest" animal is inherently evil. They didn't ask to be brought here, they are just trying to feed their families.
I'll kill them but I take no pleasure in it.
The only "pest" I hate are wasps.
I truly hate wasps.

Originally Posted by MB

I think that is true apart from possums. They seem to evoke visceral hatred in a lot of people, even non-hunters.

I like possums. I shoot them, but I like 'em. Shooting is far nicer than the other methods employed.

Wild animals....It's all in the giving back. They all want to live.
Sometimes you can get more enjoyment just watching and learning from them.

Mudgripz whats his / hers favourite food?