Thread: Summer hunting .....a question of ethics??

Yep, I get it guys. And let's just all agree that we don't know each other from an Arab, so passing any judgement over just a few words is foolish on this issue.
One of you said something about hearing a fawn bleating while looking for mum for days on end... So why didn't you capture or shoot it?
I guess it is a case of out of sight out of mind for me. Rightly or wrongly, I don't class wild introduced game animals in quite the same way I would a domestic or even farm animal. So their plight is perhaps doomed in my mind. I have been happy to trap possums for a job once, and I've enjoyed hunting pigs with dogs on occasion too. Both are absolutely barbaric and arguably inhumane, but I can easily justify each as they are introduced and arguably 'pests'. Sometimes the methods aren't ideal. Neither is the knowledge of a starving and traumatised fawn running around in the bush.
As for my six deer in 24years... I've shot dead 6, all the rest are probably still running! At least one of those animals which I haven't claimed was a good stag which copped a .308 somewhere in his front end. I only hope he didn't suffer for long or that it was only a flesh wound. And it is no secret that deer numbers everywhere have increased dramatically over the past 5-10 years. I get onto deer every trip anywhere worth going these days, but it was a very different story in the 80s & 90s on public land in the central north.
So, I believe we are indeed on the brink of overpopulation on some areas of the central north, and if we don't do our bit to knock those numbers back, DoC, F&B and the AHB will all be saying to the Govt that the Game Animal Council has failed and the best policy is to eradicate deer using seek & destroy helicopters and widespread aerial1080. Back to square one

By the way, lots of the possums, rabbits, hares and feral cats I killed were also lactating and pregnant. I feel no more remorse for any if them than I do for any of the males

Originally Posted by Hunt4life

One of you said something about hearing a fawn bleating while looking for mum for days on end... So why didn't you capture or shoot it?

I did when I caught up with it. Have probably dispatched half a dozen fawns like that.

Understood R93. I can empathise with how that feels.

If its a deer and I can get a good shot, its going in my freezer. Dont care if it has a fawn or if its a potential trophy because I hunt for meat first and hunt to enjoy the bush second. My Grandad said if you dont shoot it the next c*#t will

You got that right but not this Cunt.
End of next month i don't have a problem with shooting hinds but if the choice is there it will still be a yearling.

An interesting debate and definitely food for thought.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this debate, gets the cogs working in the head. Good to see hunters actually thinking of the big picture and not just what happens to be in front of them. I too would not like to drop a hind with fawn in tow, but I bet the day it does happen I'd shoot her first then see her young one emerge and trot off making me feel pretty stink.

Now if a hind and fawn both happen to pop up, I'd happily take the fawn as I've eaten one before and rate the eating quality as something on its own. Each to their own I guess.

I'm really pleased I started this thread, because it has highlighted the various responses from members, and seems to be largely dependent on opportunity (or lack of it).ie. "I am after meat, so if it pops up in front of me, it goes in the freezer". No room for sentiments. I don't know any of you personally, and probably you are all good bastards.
I have read heaps of hunting books (I should be an expert hunter, but I'm not), and there is just as big a variation between authors actions. The cullers have an excuse I suppose, and I guess many others become desensitised by the sheer numbers of deer shot, yet some are extremely sensitive, and rarely take an animal these days (Tony Orman for example).
It has been great to see that there can be different opinions about this subject, without people becoming too personal. We must be all grown ups after all.

Originally Posted by Rusky

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this debate, gets the cogs working in the head. Good to see hunters actually thinking of the big picture and not just what happens to be in front of them. I too would not like to drop a hind with fawn in tow, but I bet the day it does happen I'd shoot her first then see her young one emerge and trot off making me feel pretty stink.

Now if a hind and fawn both happen to pop up, I'd happily take the fawn as I've eaten one before and rate the eating quality as something on its own. Each to their own I guess.

Or get out a bit earlier in the season before they've calved. The venison will be better as well.

Originally Posted by Lentil

We must be all grown ups after all.

More than that Lentil. We are all members of an extremely well balanced forum.

Who can judge anyone else for doing what makes them happy?

I would probably watch a hind for a bit to make sure there was no fawn but other than that if I can its going in my freezer..........that said I would rather shoot a nice yearling over an older hind any day and if the opportunity arose to take a stag I'd do that too but I primarily shoot for meat so am not too bothered either way....

Originally Posted by Remington700.270

Who can judge anyone else for doing what makes them happy?

Some guys like to drive past schools at 150 kph, but thats ok, it makes them happy eh. some are happy to drive drunk but hey its their thing. Some sadistic people like to mistreat their pets or worse their kids but yeah if it makes them happy?. Sometimes we all should judge.
This country could be improved by quite a bit if people spoke up and voiced their opposition to things they don't agree with.

Originally Posted by sneeze

Some guys like to drive past schools at 150 kph, but thats ok, it makes them happy eh. some are happy to drive drunk but hey its their thing. Some sadistic people like to mistreat their pets or worse their kids but yeah if it makes them happy?. Sometimes we all should judge.
This country could be improved by quite a bit if people spoke up and voiced their opposition to things they don't agree with.

happens in the pub a lot,but then forgotten in the morning