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November 6, 2003
Charlie Farmer, Springfield News-Leader
Understanding hunting goes a long way
In an age of increasing urban and suburban values, a significant share of Americans have little understanding of modern sport hunting or the reasons why men and women hunt.
Missouri, and the Ozarks in particular, remain strongholds of hunting tradition and ties with nature and the land. Once prime hunting lands of the Osage Indian tribe, the Springfield-Upper White River region is being chewed up by commercial and residential development.
As trees are bulldozed, hills leveled, streams degraded and topsoil tarred and buried, city ethics and attitudes displace the basic love and respect for green space and natural order.
The transition has a negative effect on every living creature, but is especially damaging to fish, wildlife, anglers, hunters and trappers.
"Gentlemen farmers" and newly developed housing plots stretch into prime hunting and fishing areas, causing conflicts between outdoors enthusiasts and residents seeking "rural life" complete with all the latest conveniences. In most cases, modern bow and gun hunters get the short end of the stick.
Aldo Leopold, noted conservationist and author of "A Sand Country Almanac," said, "We of the industrial age boast of our control over nature. Plant or animal, star or atom, wind or river — there is no force in Earth or sky which will not shortly harness to build 'the good life' for ourselves."
Unfortunately, the region's siege against nature cannot be stopped. "Money wins out in the end" is a sure bet.
This past decade, hunters across the nation have taken it on the chin from anti-hunters and animals rights activists who feel that wild animals and birds, big and small, should be spared from effective and scientifically regulated hunting seasons.
Ironically, it is not until wild deer, turkeys, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, coyotes, beavers and other critters start munching on crops, livestock, gardens, flowers, shrubs, nursery trees, insulation and pet dogs that the animal activists learn what hunters have always known.
In a society that sacrifices its best wildlife habitat for shopping malls and condos, today's balance of nature works only when there is a controlled and scientifically proven harvest of game animals, game birds and furbearers.
Hunters and trappers carry out the mission of modern game management in the most effective way possible. And wild numbers in the last 50 years have increased or stabilized nationally and in Missouri, resulting in healthy herds, flocks, coveys and packs.
Yet there is an anti-hunting sentiment out there that regularly surfaces at work, social gatherings, school and church when the topic crops up. Non-hunting parents, teachers and others in authority are often extremely opinionated when it comes to killing game. There's also PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
Hunters, and hunter organizations, along with fish and game departments like the Missouri Department of Conservation, are carrying out modern game and fish management, and it's working. Hunters and anglers are generating most of the money for wildlife conservation.
All 50 states now have laws on the books that prevent hunters from being harassed by those opposed to sport hunting. According to Missouri law, any person who intentionally interferes with the lawful taking of wildlife by another is guilty of the crime of interference with lawful hunting or trapping in the first degree.
It is a violation to intentionally harass, drive or disturb any game animals for the purpose of disrupting lawful hunting or trapping, and is a Class A misdemeanor.
In Missouri, if hunters are harassed on MDC lands, they should contact an MDC agent. If a hunter is harassed on private lands, the sheriff's office or police department should be contacted. It goes without saying that permission from the landowner is required when hunting private land.
The Missouri hunting tradition is a deep-rooted and greatly appreciated privilege.
Contact free-lance columnist Charlie Farmer at 1197 East Court, Ozark, MO 65721 or cjoutdoors318365@aol.com
Charlie Farmer, Springfield News-Leader
Understanding hunting goes a long way
In an age of increasing urban and suburban values, a significant share of Americans have little understanding of modern sport hunting or the reasons why men and women hunt.
Missouri, and the Ozarks in particular, remain strongholds of hunting tradition and ties with nature and the land. Once prime hunting lands of the Osage Indian tribe, the Springfield-Upper White River region is being chewed up by commercial and residential development.
As trees are bulldozed, hills leveled, streams degraded and topsoil tarred and buried, city ethics and attitudes displace the basic love and respect for green space and natural order.
The transition has a negative effect on every living creature, but is especially damaging to fish, wildlife, anglers, hunters and trappers.
"Gentlemen farmers" and newly developed housing plots stretch into prime hunting and fishing areas, causing conflicts between outdoors enthusiasts and residents seeking "rural life" complete with all the latest conveniences. In most cases, modern bow and gun hunters get the short end of the stick.
Aldo Leopold, noted conservationist and author of "A Sand Country Almanac," said, "We of the industrial age boast of our control over nature. Plant or animal, star or atom, wind or river — there is no force in Earth or sky which will not shortly harness to build 'the good life' for ourselves."
Unfortunately, the region's siege against nature cannot be stopped. "Money wins out in the end" is a sure bet.
This past decade, hunters across the nation have taken it on the chin from anti-hunters and animals rights activists who feel that wild animals and birds, big and small, should be spared from effective and scientifically regulated hunting seasons.
Ironically, it is not until wild deer, turkeys, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, coyotes, beavers and other critters start munching on crops, livestock, gardens, flowers, shrubs, nursery trees, insulation and pet dogs that the animal activists learn what hunters have always known.
In a society that sacrifices its best wildlife habitat for shopping malls and condos, today's balance of nature works only when there is a controlled and scientifically proven harvest of game animals, game birds and furbearers.
Hunters and trappers carry out the mission of modern game management in the most effective way possible. And wild numbers in the last 50 years have increased or stabilized nationally and in Missouri, resulting in healthy herds, flocks, coveys and packs.
Yet there is an anti-hunting sentiment out there that regularly surfaces at work, social gatherings, school and church when the topic crops up. Non-hunting parents, teachers and others in authority are often extremely opinionated when it comes to killing game. There's also PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
Hunters, and hunter organizations, along with fish and game departments like the Missouri Department of Conservation, are carrying out modern game and fish management, and it's working. Hunters and anglers are generating most of the money for wildlife conservation.
All 50 states now have laws on the books that prevent hunters from being harassed by those opposed to sport hunting. According to Missouri law, any person who intentionally interferes with the lawful taking of wildlife by another is guilty of the crime of interference with lawful hunting or trapping in the first degree.
It is a violation to intentionally harass, drive or disturb any game animals for the purpose of disrupting lawful hunting or trapping, and is a Class A misdemeanor.
In Missouri, if hunters are harassed on MDC lands, they should contact an MDC agent. If a hunter is harassed on private lands, the sheriff's office or police department should be contacted. It goes without saying that permission from the landowner is required when hunting private land.
The Missouri hunting tradition is a deep-rooted and greatly appreciated privilege.
Contact free-lance columnist Charlie Farmer at 1197 East Court, Ozark, MO 65721 or cjoutdoors318365@aol.com
