tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73956883785944468672024-03-19T04:28:34.951-07:00Orion MindBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-80660018142093821912014-10-26T13:39:00.000-07:002014-10-26T16:20:36.464-07:00The privilege and the problem<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HmGqQpVcq8/VE1Z4VoScbI/AAAAAAAAA0k/zPxf7oopRpM/s1600/hastings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HmGqQpVcq8/VE1Z4VoScbI/AAAAAAAAA0k/zPxf7oopRpM/s1600/hastings.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not a huge adherent of big-city living. However, I will
say this of Edmonton: if you are a hunter it could be a lot worse living in a
greater metropolitan area of approximately 1.2 million. Right on the periphery
of our (creeping) suburbs exists some excellent opportunities to escape and indulge
in the imperative of the hunt. Even living quite centrally I can be into
publically accessible, good waterfowl wetlands within 35mins, big game in less than
twice that. Online mapping tools and apps even deliver to you detailed directions
for each of the multitude of public access lands close the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Furthermore, in Alberta we are not subject to onerous hunting licence
requirements or lengthy exams, we don’t need to enter lottery draws in the hope
of getting an opportunity to sit in a specific duck blind on a highly pressured
public wetland in the hope that birds will pass that spot, and we don’t pay for
access. All that you do is show up, find a safe spot that you think will work, toss out
decoys and (try to) shoot birds. It’s that easy; we are that fortunate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a show of respect we have those amongst us who express their
gratitude like this:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFfylufAQ1Y/VE1ZvR7x9YI/AAAAAAAAA0U/G4UT3pVs6VA/s1600/hastings_trash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFfylufAQ1Y/VE1ZvR7x9YI/AAAAAAAAA0U/G4UT3pVs6VA/s1600/hastings_trash.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really should have taken a better photo as the whole area was a mess of hulls, take-out cups, cans, an old chair, bags etc. I took out 2
bags of garbage and should have gone back for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an insult to injury there were also 2 empty
boxes of lead shot loads – this being illegal to shoot at migratory birds since
1999 (this blind is over water, so not sure what else they would be shooting
at?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">More to the point, this is not a rare sight in Alberta.
Runners, dog walkers, bird watchers et. al don’t see the hunters with integrity,
they see this. If we don’t pursue excellence in our conduct, knowledge and duty
to set an ‘ecological-example’ then hunting, and hunters, will lose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-32246254003629557552013-03-22T11:08:00.000-07:002013-03-22T11:17:20.717-07:00Video: Hunting and Bubye Valley Conservancy (Zimbabwe)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A very interesting video that deconstructs the logic of
incentive, land use priorities and conservation, in a very clear manner. Lions
saving rhinos and a whole set of interrelated management symbiosis. It is
seldom these stories that we see on social media and ones that should perhaps
be occasionally inserted between the strident calls to save wildlife, the calls
that appear to infrequently extend beyond cyberspace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is room for critical discussion here, of course, but
the process is undeniably a useful one.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hunterproud.com/?p=103" target="_blank">http://www.hunterproud.com/?p=103</a><br />
<br />
EnjoyBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-43567691313443563082013-03-16T15:44:00.003-07:002013-03-17T07:31:02.251-07:00Controversy: Timbavati Rhino Hunting (South Africa)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYN99Y24nVU/UUT0qIiYPuI/AAAAAAAAAtM/6JNeTunZ66M/s1600/1357684085rhino-w320h240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYN99Y24nVU/UUT0qIiYPuI/AAAAAAAAAtM/6JNeTunZ66M/s320/1357684085rhino-w320h240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is an open letter from Timbavati Game Reserve Chairman
Tom Hancock regarding the limited hunting of selected rhino in that reserve. A
recent controversy erupted when it was ‘discovered’ (although it has proceeded
quite openly for years) that amidst the current and alarming rhino poaching crisis in South
Africa, white rhinos were being legally hunted in this flagship reserve along the western
boundary of Kruger National Park. Accusations flew and social media exploded with vitriol. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Should an individual’s personal revulsion to
rhino hunting translate into ban or cessation? I understand someone’s personal aversion
to hunting, or hunters, but do these sentiments equate to sound conservation
polices? Ironically, some of the most respected and erudite conservationists
say no, antipathy to rhino hunting should not translate into bans because properly
conducted it is a tool that has served the species very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is clear that illegal horn traders have
fronted as ‘legitimate’ clients with shady outfitters and there is no doubt
that this ‘loophole’ is a serious threat to the industry and credible conduct. I agree that this is a serious problem, driving any current benefits towards a zero sum outcome.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The letter makes their case quite simply. Draw your own
conclusions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The Timbavati does not support the idea of stopping an
activity which is legal, sustainable, scientific and professionally managed,
supported by numerous conservation-oriented NGOs and research institutions, and
which brings in the very revenue required to counter the uncontrolled and
highly illegal scourge that is rhino poaching. For the Timbavati to be
financially sustainable and for us to achieve our conservation aims and
objectives we need sustainable sources of revenue whether it is from limited
hunting, photographic tourism other sources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Individual landowners do not benefit financially from any
hunting which takes place in the Reserve and are prohibited from hunting
commercially on their own properties. The Timbavati Association is a
not-for-profit conservation organisation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">100% of the proceeds generated from sustainable hunting
activities in the Timbavati are utilised exclusively for the conservation and
protection of not only our rhino population, but also the protection of all
fauna and flora under our custodianship.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sustainable utilisation of our natural resources as
practised by the Timbavati is legal, well supported by environmental
legislation, government, and SANParks as well as by a large number of
reputable, relevant research institutions and conservation-based NGOs [Research
available on request]. Sustainable utilisation of natural resources by way of
hunting is entrenched in the Policy for Buffer Zones to National Parks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The general consensus of the scientific community and
reputable conservation NGOs appears to be against an outright ban on the
hunting of cats and rhino. CITES states that rather than trophy hunting having
a negative impact on white rhino population, "available information
suggests the contrary".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Timbavati supports the findings of Endangered Wildlife
Trust chief Yolan Friedman and Wilderness Foundation chief Andrew Muir who
cautioned that a moratorium on rhino hunting could have “unintended and
negative consequences which are prejudicial to the southern white rhino
conservation as a whole”.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“To allow the
continued expansion of rhino range and numbers, and so enable overall numbers
in the country to grow… the private sector and communities have to provide the
new conservation land. The extent to which they do so largely depends on
economic incentives and the perceived risk of managing rhino.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They conclude that a moratorium on hunting could also result
in a drop in rhino prices and encourage owners to remove more of their animals.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">IUCN Species Survival Commissions (SSC) African Rhino
Specialist Group (AfRSG) (Appendix 4) has over the years recognised the
generally positive role that sport hunting has played in the increase in white
rhino numbers in South Africa. Hunting of white rhino (WR) started in 1968 when
perhaps there were only around 1,800 white rhino in Africa. It helped give
white rhino a value on auctions that has encouraged the expansion of numbers
and range. Thus white rhino numbers in South Africa have increased over 10 fold
since hunting started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The support for the continued hunting of white rhino is
taken up by the man who arguably was largely responsible for saving the white
rhino from extinction, Dr Ian Player. Dr. Player stated in an interview
recently that in 1960 it was estimated that there were 60,000 black rhino in
Africa, and only 600 white . By the end of Operation Rhino (of which Dr. Player
played a central role), there were only a few thousand black rhino while white
rhino numbers were growing rapidly. Dr Player commented, “What lead to this,
and what people don’t understand – and don’t want to understand - is that in
1970, white rhino were placed back on the hunting list. That meant that game
ranchers were able to buy [white rhino] and have hunters come and shoot them
and pay a lot of money to do so. To the great credit of the ranchers, they were
taking that money, buying more land and buying more rhino. The numbers of rhino
shot were minimal, but what it meant was the habitat was being expanded all the
time and that literally lead to an explosion of white rhino.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to Operation Rhino, it is estimated that there are
approximately 4,500 white rhino (or 23% of the world’s population) on 2.2
million hectares of private land in South Africa<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(EWT). The combined habitat on private land is
bigger than the size of the Kruger National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1968 the Timbavati was one of the first recipients of
white rhino under Operation Rhino. Initially 4 white rhino were introduced and
over the next 5 years, we purchased a further 22 from the then Natal Parks
Board. In 1994, prior to the removal of the ecological disaster that was the
fence between the Kruger and Timbavati, our white rhino population had grown to
67. On removal of the fence we immediately lost 70% of our rhino to Kruger. So
the Timbavati helped to stock the central KNP areas with white rhino. As the
meta population in the Kruger expanded north, our white rhino numbers slowly
recovered to such an extent that we believe we are close to territorial
capacity. As we have no fence, all game found in the Timbavati (and the Kruger)
is legally classified as “res nullius” or ownerless. Therefore the accusation
that we are hunting Kruger rhino, from both a legal and logical standpoint, is
absolute nonsense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the contrary, by
removal of the fence, Timbavati helped to increase white rhino numbers in the
central Kruger area. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contrary to popular belief, according to CITES the overall
populations of both white rhinoceros and the black rhinoceros continue to
increase in the wild despite high and increasing levels of poaching. White
rhinoceros populations now total about 20,165 individuals, and black rhinoceros
populations about 4,880.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it comes to hunting, we will always encounter emotive
arguments. Our management team have a duty to put emotion aside to make the
best decisions based on the best scientific information available to ensure we
uphold our objective to “promote the conservation of biodiversity for the sake
of posterity, and to manage its ecosystem, landscapes & species populations
to serve the ecological interests of the Timbavati and the Open System”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My greatest fear regarding the uninformed anti-hunting
activists is that their sentimentality for individual species, or even for
individual specimens within a species, will have the unintended consequence of
the decline or even destruction of certain species in the wild.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are many animal rights activists and members of the
public who criticise sustainable hunting without really understanding the harsh
realities facing conservation in Africa. And then you get true conservationists
who are involved with saving and protecting rhino all day, every day. The
Timbavati is the latter and probably does more to protect rhino than any NGO or
other private organisation. This comes at huge cost and needs to be paid for
somehow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Timbavati has one of the most effective anti-poaching
units in the world. This comes at a cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have experienced field rangers (who receive paramilitary training),
electrified alarmed fences, and vehicles for armed response. In additional
there are costs associated with informants fees, fees paid to assist with
intelligence gathering, improved firearms to counter increased firepower of
poachers and legal fees to represent staff when they are involved in shooting
incidents. And we have darted, micro-chipped and DNA-sampled more than 70 rhino
in an on-going programme to aid law enforcement in curtailing the illegal trade
in rhino horn. The list goes on…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it comes to the war on poaching we are the Western
Front. Not only do we protect rhino located within the Timbavati, we also
protect a large number of rhino located in the western section of the Kruger
National Park (KNP). We are a Buffer Zone to the National Park. The Timbavati
works with the KNP on a daily basis to coordinate anti-poaching activities. We
are on the ground, all day, every day protecting rhino at huge personal risk to
our dedicated field rangers and management. Armed incidents with well-armed
poachers are a regular occurrence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Specialist independent scientific studies are undertaken for
each species to be hunted which analyses the impact of any off-take of the
species. From the study, a hunting protocol emerges, which dictates how and
which individual specimens may be hunted. All animals removed from the
Timbavati through hunting have to be under permit issued by the provincial conservation
agency, after approval by the Kruger National Park . This is a lengthy and
controlled exercise, and should the sustainability of any species, or any
sub-group within a species, be under threat generally indicted by a decline in
numbers, the process would prohibit the hunting of such species. The Timbavati
would never allow hunting of a certain species if there was any negative
impact, short or long term.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr David Mabunda, CEO of SANParks recently stated, ''We have
a good relationship with the Timbavati Association, and they are excellent
conservationists. Hunting in private reserves, contractual and provincial parks
is allowed within the framework of provincial legislation and sustainable use
of natural resources. This framework means that hunting can only take place if
it is based on scientific studies, scoping exercises, aerial surveys and the
granting of a permit to hunt by the department responsible for conservation.
SANParks scientists and rangers are part of the process that determines [hunting
operations]. We have reached an agreement with Timbavati and the other
privately owned reserves that border the Kruger Park. This agreement states
that the area would be managed according to the management plan that applies to
the Kruger National Park. And our policy is open to the sustainable use of
natural resources.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hunting of iconic species will always be emotive and
unpopular to the many uninformed. People do not need to enjoy hunting, or to
respect hunters. Rather they need to understand the enormous benefits that
hunting – including the hunting of white rhino - brings to conservation, not
only in the Timbavati, but to the whole of southern Africa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do we have a rhino hunting problem or a rhino poaching
problem? We all agree we have the latter but to say that they are one and the
same thing is simply ludicrous. Sustainable hunting of rhino is legal, and
encouraged by environmental legislation and policy, generates revenue for
general conservation activities and rhino protection and, probably most
importantly, results in the expansion of rhino habitat and numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are constantly looking for alternative revenue sources to
fund our conservation operations. The Timbavati regards itself as one of the
few examples in Africa where photographic tourism and sustainable utilisation
through harvesting are conducted within the same environment. The Timbavati
does not regard these activities as mutually exclusive. Many of our landowners
run successful lodges which generate conservation levies, but eco-tourism is
not a panacea for all the challenges facing conservation in southern Africa,
and the number of lodges that the Timbavati can sustain from an ecological and
financial perspective is limited. It is generally accepted by reputable
scientists that photographic tourism operations are more damaging to the
environment than sustainable, well managed hunting operations. Simple anecdotal
evidence from the Timbavati illustrates the point: it takes approximately
18,000 guest nights in lodges (or one guest staying for 50 years) to generate
the same revenue that the Timbavati Association receives from one hunter
shooting one rhino.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a critic of rhino hunting, ask yourself “What
have I done to save the rhino today?” and compare your answer to what the Timbavati
does every day, all day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Hancock”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Copied from the <a href="http://www.timbavati.co.za/general-news/150-unnamed" target="_blank">Timbavati Private Nature Reserve website</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Follow the fray from <a href="http://blog.africageographic.com/africa-geographic-blog/news/timbavati-rhino-challenge/" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-77900631065467459512013-02-26T06:56:00.001-08:002013-02-26T07:31:46.671-08:00Myth Busting: Ammunition Impact and Fire Safety.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">‘Sporting firearm ammunition is less of a risk to
firefighters than many other household products’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had seen the short version of this SAAMI training video
before (essentially the trailer) but not this highly informative version.
Possibly the best antidote to the common myths that ammunition will create a ‘bomb’
if subjected to heat or impact is that in the absence of a chamber and means
for a gas-seal, the effectiveness of ammo is massively reduced. Note how even a
primer popping out in some of the examples is enough to prevent the bullet from
exiting an unsupported, fired cartridge. This is not to say reloaders and
shooters should not store ammo, powder and primers lawfully and with care, but it is useful in
understanding the physics of detonation and projectiles. They really did burn up a lot of ammunition!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3SlOXowwC4c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-24109407764944735092013-02-04T19:57:00.000-08:002013-02-05T10:39:15.633-08:00Book Recommendation: "Arming and Disarming: A History of Gun Control in Canada" by R. Blake Brown<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YVbuQw0l7Fo/URCCy5oj-dI/AAAAAAAAAr0/JjMxPJnWsxU/s1600/arming-and-disarming-a-history-of-gun-control-in-canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YVbuQw0l7Fo/URCCy5oj-dI/AAAAAAAAAr0/JjMxPJnWsxU/s320/arming-and-disarming-a-history-of-gun-control-in-canada.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The value in
books like “Arming and Disarming: A History of Gun Control in Canada” by R.
Blake Brown lies in their potential contribution to civic and political debates
about firearm legislation and the civil discourse on ‘gun-politics’. For this
reason I can highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to further arm themselves
with a meaningful and coherent foundation in the history and development of Canadian
firearm legislation. Obviously Canadians will primarily benefit from this book
but many of the associated issues are universal and the legal details are
similar to other jurisdictions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brown
(Associate Professor of History at St. Mary’s University, Halifax, N.S.), has
neatly collated a treatise of Canadian firearm law history from
pre-Confederation through to the contemporary, ongoing debates subsequent to
Bill C-68. The book is a research work and as such is not intended to be a
source of ‘entertainment’. That said it is not nearly as dryly academic as one
would expect from a journal article for example and is peppered throughout with
interesting quotes, anecdotes and art from news media, citizens and politicians.
He gives thorough treatment to varied issues ranging from state support for
rifle skills through to the emergence of sophisticated gun-control and gun-owners
lobby groups at work in Canada today. Along the way he deals with issues such
as early state sanctioned firearm ownership, concerns over youth and firearms,
early disarmament schemes that were xenophobic, racist and classist, Canada’s
early forms of registration and the evolution of licensing and modern legislative
requirements.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why read a
book like this? People who take a serious interest in the legal rights and privileges
of firearm owners, media gun-rhetoric and public discourse on this topic
quickly tire with the gross misinformation and hearsay with which one is
constantly bombarded. It is common to be told with great certainty that “guns
are banned in Australia and Europe”, “Canadians can’t own military rifles”, “any
American can easily just buy machine guns off the shelf” and other such misinformation.
If we strive to engage in reasonable and civil discourse about firearm legislation
and about the culture of being a responsible firearm enthusiast we must come to
the debate informed. Books like this are a crucial tool in the intellectual
arsenal for responsible and erudite shooters, hunters and gun owners who must
make their voices of reason heard above the tumult.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reference:
R. Blake Brown (2012) Arming and Disarming: A History of Gun Control in Canada.
The Osgoode Law Society / University of Toronto Press. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ISBN: 978-1442646391<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>
Brian Joubert<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-65321592342018553662013-01-21T19:32:00.001-08:002014-10-26T16:24:18.849-07:00Book Review: "Game Changer- Animal Rights and the Fate of Africa's Wildlife" by Glen Martin.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D67hDnp0-sU/UP4EwwENyPI/AAAAAAAAArc/eR47CjciHec/s1600/Game_Changer_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D67hDnp0-sU/UP4EwwENyPI/AAAAAAAAArc/eR47CjciHec/s320/Game_Changer_cover.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They tell of the baby elephant that was saved in a specific locale, but they don’t tell of the scores of other elephants in the region that were killed because of crop depredation or land tenure disputes. IFAW’s methods have thus proved effective in saving individual elephants, and for this their strategy is sound. Setting up elephant rescue centres is doable. But the larger mission implied in their work – “saving” Africa’s elephants – remains unfulfilled and may in fact be sabotaged by IFAW’s own work. The lavishing of hundreds of thousands of dollars on the suckling of baby elephants while locals see their maize crops razed and their cattle stomped flat by irrate pachyderms sends the familiar, loud , and dissonant message to rural Africans: too bad about you; this cute little elephant comes first.(Glen Martin, pg 200).<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alongside biology, pecuniary incentives and conservation sociology are ever more important core foundations in wildlife management and in the efforts to conserve Africa’s – and the planets’- wildlife. In Game Changer: Animal Rights and the Fate of Africa’s Wildlife, Glen Martin provides a thought provoking analysis of what he describes as the ‘ascendancy of animal rights based conservation policy’ and how it is driving the decline of many of Africa’s great game populations. The apotheosizing of Africa’s mega fauna as ‘untouchable’ has had perverse outcomes in many areas once rich in wildlife. While the reasons for decline in wildlife can stem from poaching, Malthusian population expansion and agrarian conflict, Martin highlights exactly how and why a hands-off legislative approach further compounds these threats and often provides a disincentive for local-level conservation efforts. If the people that live with and share the landscape with wildlife are divorced from conservation decision making processes, denied compensation for wildlife conflicts, edged out of wildlife-based incomes and generally <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shut-off from legal and sustainable use they not only lose conservation incentives but often see wildlife as a menace to other land-based livelihoods. Simply put, the old adage of ‘if it pays it stays’, albeit often bandied about a bit casually, often underpins the most effective conservation policy. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Martin spends much of his critique focused on Kenya. This country is still seen by many as the bastion of African conservation – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> safari destination, famous for its abundant big game. Little do many know that Kenya’s famous big game populations have been declining precipitously in the last few decades. Perhaps more concerning is the substantial, often ill-considered support that Kenya’s ‘hands-off’ policies receive. Many people seem convinced that Kenya’s legislation that bans, or makes near impossible, any wildlife cropping, legal hunting or decentralized problem animal control is the most ethically appropriate course of action. Despite evidence to the contrary, to many it still seems intuitive that declining wildlife must be left wholly alone and this misconception remains a powerful influence for those ready to donate to certain influential NGO’s. The book is filled with the narratives of experienced and well educated Kenyan conservationists who labour under these misguided policies and who make explicit exactly why the hands-off approach hinders effective wildlife conservation in that country. Martin outlines how a broken government bureaucracy has been heavily influenced by foreign animal rights NGO’s, like IFAW, who successfully sway wildlife management policy and agendas in a manner more doctrinaire than pragmatic. Rural Kenyan’s, unable to benefit meaningfully from localized wildlife, typically show antipathy for animals they see as a nuisance and financial liability, as opposed to a potential source of manageable livelihoods. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The author then visits a country that arguably has become the new ‘blue-eyed boy’ of African conservation – Namibia. In contrast to Kenya it’s a country that allows and encourages the sustainable use of its wildlife not only through tourism in a few major ‘destination parks’ but also through its burgeoning system of community conservancies and on private holdings. The model functions on the premise that if people are allowed an active hand in managing and benefiting from local wildlife there will be an incentive to sustain those populations and their habitats. Through tourism, hunting and cropping more Namibians now see wildlife as part of their value systems and as part of their livelihoods, not as a nuisance or sentimental curiosity for wealthy foreigners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found the short time that Martin spends with Richard Leakey to be very enlightening. Leakey, as many will remember drew equal amounts of scorn and praise for his infamous burning of 12 tons of ivory in 1989. Leakey, then head of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), had the valuable ivory torched as a symbolic gesture in support of the ivory trade ban. For years this act earned him much malevolence from more utilitarian conservationists who saw this act as the wanton waste of a highly valuable resource in the name of a policy that would damage elephant conservation instead of enhancing it. During his interviews for this book it becomes clear that Leakey only perpetuated non-consumptive polices in Kenya because in his opinion the government and KWS were so corrupt and incompetent that allowing legal hunting, for example, would have blown the door wide open to abuse and mismanagement. Leakey’s views on traditional pastoralism, east African cattle-culture, the social imperatives for conservation and his view for the future will surprise you…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing that I as a hunter found interesting is the admission that Max Graham, Director of Cambridge University’s program on human and wildlife conflict, makes about the often unfortunate killing involved in problem elephant control – and its vital role in maintaining amicable local relations. He describes how many problem elephants that threaten lives and livelihoods often die miserably at the end of multiple spear wounds by residents or just as unfortunately at the hands of KWS rangers. Cumbersome KWS legal process coupled with incompetence means that many of these unfortunate beasts are dispatched inefficiently and wastefully, let alone for income, due to laws that prevent more practical solutions. He describes how ill-trained rangers often pepper elephants with inadequate rifles and without any knowledge on proper, humane shot placement. Ironically in a country that prides itself on its 1977 hunting ban Graham believes that “...we may have to establish an elephant-shooting school at some point. We need to start training people now, because in a few years this entire skill set will be lost in Kenya” (pg 144). I have read of this exact situation in other country where conservation is beleaguered – Malawi. In 2010 I read a local newspaper account of rangers trying to dispatch a trouble-making elephant. The incident turned into a messy running gun battle and ended up in the death of a local village child caught in the fray. Even the newspaper journalist critiqued the rangers for not having the tools and knowhow to place a large calibre bullet in the appropriate place to conclude the task correctly. If the completely pachyderm-inadequate US donated M16 (5.56 NATO) carried by the Liwonde ranger who accompanied us for ‘safety’ on a walk in that park was any sort of measure, that incident near Mzuzu must have been frightening indeed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall I found this book very worthwhile and can highly recommend it. Martin’s writing style is very enjoyable. I personally hold strong spiritual and intrinsic values for wildlife but those share my ideological space with equally strong utilitarian and resourcist beliefs. As such, I didn’t find anything revelatory or ‘new’ in this book but rather considered it further evidence that wildlife policy shaped by a hands-off, non-use agenda is often more useful to the proponents' conscience than to wildlife and the environment. Anyone with an interest in animal rights or conservation would do well to add this to their library. Most notably, people who lack a foundation in these topics might have their eye’s opened to the reality that the Kenya style approach of governing wildlife often results in the opposite of the desired effect. With ever increasing pressures on wildlife people need to see value in their wild neighbours. Some have the luxury of spiritual, sentimental and aesthetic connections. Many others need a little more material incentive to favour antelope over cattle or not poison water holes to extirpate nuisance predators…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is a <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/saturdayextra/game-changer/4230960" target="_blank">radio interview with Glen Martin</a> about the book.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glen-martin/kenya-a-contrarian-view_b_1542148.html" target="_blank">Huffpost column from Martin</a>, on this topic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is a <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/john_kasaona_from_poachers_to_caretakers.html" target="_blank">TED talk about the rise of Nambia’s conservancies</a>. Note the debate that ensues in the comments about the prevalence of hunting in these conservancies. Unfortunately these are debates that are all too frequent but must be tempered with reason and researched information.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reference: Game Changer: Animal Rights and the Fate of Africa’s Wildlife. Glen Martin (2012). University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26626-1</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert 2013<o:p></o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-64086947735784890412012-08-21T20:07:00.000-07:002012-08-21T20:56:22.294-07:00Book Review: "Glock: The Rise of America's Gun" by Paul M. Barrett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJQYnRYAuLeE0nFBJ2K2zNarVplvO9JDjyyLT08UKk8uuEE0bgGrlktFqAC0oQ_qglE5P5GspQbBZoMME3f4LNCWHCDlA6UbNYbHTKnK-EanFTYWJZT-21uE9jaq89HAvVrviljEfqf2L/s1600/GLOCK-The-Rise-of-Americas-Gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJQYnRYAuLeE0nFBJ2K2zNarVplvO9JDjyyLT08UKk8uuEE0bgGrlktFqAC0oQ_qglE5P5GspQbBZoMME3f4LNCWHCDlA6UbNYbHTKnK-EanFTYWJZT-21uE9jaq89HAvVrviljEfqf2L/s320/GLOCK-The-Rise-of-Americas-Gun.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> How did an unknown Austrian engineer who had barely ever
touched a gun come to develop the most iconic modern handgun, with the
largest market share in production today? Author Paul Barrett does an excellent
job of tracking Glock’s meteoric rise from a Viennese suburb into a handgun
empire that trounced the established monoliths of the American handgun
industry, like Smith and Wesson. If you are interested in Glock’s, firearms,
the gun industry and the wrangling’s of modern gun politics in America, you
will thoroughly enjoy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Glock</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I began reading this book with a basic knowledge of Glock’s
history but Barrett provides a detailed account of the company’s character and
inner workings, based on his research with industry insiders and Glock
employees. One could say that Gaston Glock was a man who found himself in the
right place at the right time, both in Austria and the US. The initially
unassuming Austrian decided to compete for a government contract to supply
pistols to the Austrian military. Lacking the infrastructural or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a priori</i> design path-dependency held by
other companies, a factor later believed to have been a benefit as opposed to a
constraint, he set about designing a unique handgun. His timing in the USA was also
fortuitous – the late 80’s saw many police departments wanting to upgrade their
duty side arms from predominantly 6 shot revolvers to higher capacity pistols.
A number of high profile police shootouts that left the authorities feeling
under-gunned precipitated this review of duty gun capabilities (many of these
events also became slightly embellished).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many in the US at that stage still saw ‘wonder 9’s’ as Euro-trash; the
all-American 1911 .45 being the only pistol worthy of consideration. This alongside with the
Glock’s unusual features and polymer frame meant that the pistol was initially
met with scepticism. However it wasn’t just good timing that worked in Glock’s
favour, the fact is that the pistol was, and remains, and very ergonomic, ultra-reliable
and user-friendly handgun. It didn’t take the police long to see the light, in
part because of the Glock’s capabilities and in part because of the company's
innovations outside of pistol design.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barrett’s research reveals a company that was not only
innovative in engineering handguns but one that excelled at marketing and
customer relations. Whether it was advertising style, appeasing large police
departments or navigating the scorched earth between the NRA and anti-gun
activists, Glock never missed a beat when it came to getting their pistols in
the hands of those who could publicise, promote or buy them. All the while they
literally ripped the rug out from underneath the establish giants of the US
handgun market. In addition to the innovation and genius of Glock Inc.’s
guiding executives, the book reveals a company that at times operated in great
secrecy, even between different departments and executives. As one Glock executive
described it, the company had ‘wheels within wheels’ that the top honchos never
wanted to reveal (and there were reasons…).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Part of the intrigue also stems from Glock’s relationships
with pro- and anti-gun movements, politicians and the political weight of large
US police departments. The book provides insight into the convoluted world of
gun politics, policy and law. It is anything but prosaic. Glock has been
subject to numerous legal challenges, some from gross negligence by users or
poorly trained authorities, others from those who saw them as a danger to
society by virtue of them being an extremely effective product. The effectiveness
of the Glock became something of a misappropriated legend, one that led them to
be seen by some as ‘too deadly’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On this last issue I think Barrett does a thorough job of
critiquing the myriad myths that surround Glock (and he is largely ambivalent
in his bias). ‘Glock’ has become a household name. Few other firearms have been
used as frequently in action movies, lauded in lyrics or been the subject of
pop-fallacy. In fact, other than the AK47 series of assault rifles, probably no other
firearm is as well known by name. As Barrett points out, for journalists or
policy makers to use the word ‘Glock’ shows their ‘street cred’, that they
should be taken seriously, its pop-media currency. Perhaps the first of the Glock
myths was the pistol’s apparent ability to pass security scans because it was ‘plastic’.
While Heckler and Koch preceded Glock by a decade with their polymer framed P9S
and VP70Z, neither sold well. Glock’s were the first ‘plastic pistols’ to go
mainstream and their novelty preceded gross misinformation. Noel Koch’s experiment
in the 1980’s that allowed him to pass airport security with a disassembled Glock
was perhaps the seminal moment for the hysteria that labelled Glock’s as a
menace and elevated threat to public safety. There are some large omissions regarding
his security breech that seldom accompany the story, but I’ll let you read the book! The fear that Glock’s
would become the harbinger of violence on the streets never really came to pass.
In 2002, the last year that authorities were required to release the stats on
handguns seized from criminals in the US, Glock never even made the top 10, and
that after about 15 years of substantial Glock presence in the US market.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can highly recommend the book; it’s an entertaining and
informative read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun” by Paul M. Barrett. Crown
Publishing Group, New York.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ISBN: 978-0-307-71993-5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">eISBN: 978-0-307-71994-2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.glockthebook.com/">www.GlockTheBook.com<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>Brian Joubert<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-50909757940533551182012-05-01T12:15:00.000-07:002012-05-01T12:20:48.358-07:00'Fly Fish Stoke'When it comes to making quality, aesthetically pleasing outdoor videos I have to hand it to the fly-fishing community, they really turn out some stimulating video...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://video.patagonia.com/video/Fly-Fish-Stoke#.T6AvYxhZ8OU.facebook">Patagonia's Fly Fish Stoke</a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-29772957147154790992012-03-27T09:20:00.000-07:002012-03-27T09:20:48.663-07:00Rinella on waterAlways striking how hunting is often seen as an egregious activity while many people who care about wildlife often allow things like golf courses to be established, relatively unchecked. 'Developments' run roughshod over wildlands with impunity, being sold as vital social goods. Ok let me not rant any further, this one just got me thinking...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bcove.me/0momn7ps">Steve Rinella on water in the west</a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-5568618862698184092012-03-14T13:54:00.001-07:002012-03-15T08:37:14.681-07:00Stabbing TR in the back?<a href="http://www.hcn.org/blogs/range/sportsmen-stab-theodore-roosevelt-in-the-back">"Sportsmen" stab Theodore Roosevelt in the back</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some interesting issues coming to light in the US:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is the North American model of public wildlife access ‘socialist’? Yes, because highly gentrified wildlife for the elite is a great road to walk! NOT. Ideology trumps process and preferred outcomes all the time with rabid ideologues.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Game disappearing from the western states? I am no expert but could that have to do with urban sprawl? The proliferation of ‘ranchettes’ on heavily subdivided family farms? Habitat degradation? Agricultural competition?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These strident privatization voices emitting from those with a political and economic incentive are concerning indeed…<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert<o:p></o:p></span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-22338158690860574082012-03-04T09:37:00.003-08:002012-03-04T09:42:59.893-08:00The zealotry for bone.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/_X73Yg6UCro/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_X73Yg6UCro&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_X73Yg6UCro&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I saw this video posted online some time ago and it got me thinking about the issues of highly selective trophy-based management, as well as the ethics and politics surrounding it. Manipulating wildlife through selection is not new. The act of leaving a certain buck to breed trophy offspring is a common practice and certainly on the ‘lesser-end’ of manipulation; the animal also remains functionally wild. At the more objectionable end is the use of livestock breeding practices to farm fantastically bigger horns and antlers. I personally don’t mind the former but I think we lose something innate to hunting (and to being an honest hunter), when we embark on the latter, when we seek domestic trophies purely for the inch value. This is not the conservation of endangered species through intensive management and domestic captivity; it’s the acquiescence and surrender to the Record Book Religion. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The utter, dogmatic and total obsession with trophies is just distasteful in my opinion. I cringe every time I see a hunting video or discussion etc. and the very first and often only thing the hunters talk about is horn/antler size, with an explicit disregard for any other aspect of hunting such as the experience, the environment and the meat. Trophies are alluring for sure. I like most others also have an attraction to big horns or antlers, but the zealous and complete totalizing of record book quality <em>uber alles</em> is downright off-putting and foreign to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Interestingly, a major global conservation-hunting organization The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation recently released an official position statement in opposition to these extreme manipulation practices: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>“The CIC adopted a landmark recommendation at its last Council Session in Madrid in November. The recommendation deals with manipulative and intensive management practices in the breeding of wildlife species such as artificial insemination and tightly controlled breeding systems which aim at the “commercial production” of ever larger horns or antlers, a variety of color morphs and even hybridization between closely related species or subspecies. <o:p></o:p></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> </em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Manipulative practices taken from domestic livestock production, which are increasingly observed across all continents, not only make a mockery of the honored traditions of hunting, but pose a real and present danger for the integrity of biodiversity. With this landmark recommendation the CIC invites governments, wildlife managements authorities, landowners as well as national and international hunting associations and conservation NGOs to join forces in preserving the wild in wildlife”</em> (<a href="http://www.cic-wildlife.org/index.php?id=817">CIC Website</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The hunting majority must remain vocal in reminding those not ‘in-the-fold’ that this not what many of us believe in, nor desire to see happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PS – does ‘Sudden Impact’ even look healthy?</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-32287454832257091802012-03-03T12:43:00.002-08:002012-03-04T08:50:04.243-08:00Book Review: "The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian's Hunt for Sustenance" by Tovar Cerulli<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKn8QW9EPlDULC4sbORk7ehY4GbaDij3ZFsxoyYNW0S5x4hf1TzJa5yYpDB0QwDDdXp8ihLEP6QeWW-8Bq2v5E0fd6fIopX4qAgHmxIDWV0zZ7fuzCXuP1sfzy2-Df6rpxGtVQ92l2-hR/s1600/tmc-cover-155px-dkgreen-border-2px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKn8QW9EPlDULC4sbORk7ehY4GbaDij3ZFsxoyYNW0S5x4hf1TzJa5yYpDB0QwDDdXp8ihLEP6QeWW-8Bq2v5E0fd6fIopX4qAgHmxIDWV0zZ7fuzCXuP1sfzy2-Df6rpxGtVQ92l2-hR/s200/tmc-cover-155px-dkgreen-border-2px.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tovarcerulli.com/">http://www.tovarcerulli.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt from the book: <em>“…I saw beauty in my food. In salad greens, I saw the tiny, delicate leaves that first sprout from earth and seed. In strawberries, I saw the rain falling on Joey’s fields a couple miles down the road, and tasted the sun that warmed and fattened the fruit. </em></span><em></em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>But in those same crop fields, I also saw missing forests and prairies. In tofu, I saw the rifles and shotguns used to plug deer in soybean fields. In grains, I saw the birds, mice, and rabbits sliced by combines. In cabbage, I saw caterpillars killed by insecticides, organic or not. I salad greens, I saw a whitetail cut open and dragged around the perimeter of a farm field, the scent of blood warning other deer not to eat the organic arugula and radicchio destined for upscale restaurants and grocery stores in San Francisco. In Joey’s kale and berries, I saw smoke-bombed</em> [woodchuck] <em>burrows.</em> </span></div><em></em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Even in the vegetables from our garden –broccoli and green beans, lettuce and snap peas – I saw the wild grasses we uprooted, the earthworms we chopped with our shovels, the beetles I crushed between thumb and forefinger, the woodchucks I shot, and the dairy cows whose manure and carcasses fed the soil. In my own life and in the lives around me – heron and trout, hawk and hare, coyote and deer – I saw that the entire living breathing, eating world was more beautiful and more terrible than I had imagined. Like Richard, I saw that sentient beings fed on sentient beings”.</em> Pgs246/7.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The above passage, for me, is an appropriate précis of the overarching lesson conveyed in Tovar Cerulli’s well written and though provoking book – The Mindful Carnivore. Through the personal narrative of his conversion from vegan to hunter, Cerulli paints a coherent picture of the ethical and biological rationale for this seemingly about-face decision. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What appears to be a transition between incompatible beliefs is shown to be the outcome of the same path to environmental enlightenment. </span></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By choosing veganism the author originally intended to live a low impact life and to minimise, as far as possible, suffering and environmental degradation caused by his diet; no longer would his food choices result in the deaths of sentient non-humans. After a series of lessons he is forced to acknowledge the ecological web far larger than the simple linear flow of calories from production to his personal consumption. Becoming acutely aware of the far larger food web in which he is unwittingly involved, he chooses to embrace his trophic reality, for numerous reasons, and return to eating animals; a return to omnivory with compassion, honesty, education and the desire to be a responsible participant.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Far from being a simple autobiography of his life choices, the author weaves into his story the influences of role models, family and friends. He augments the personal admissions with questions about emotion, respect, politics and the social identities of hunters and vegans. Useful facts and figures about relevant environmental phenomena, the histories and geographies of hunting, wildlife management and industrial land use changes are used throughout. I like how he reminds us of our individual contributions to environmental change (without ever sounding condescending) as well as how he addresses the ‘fantasies’ many of us may harbour about our role with other creatures. Fantasies that construct beliefs about our relationships with animals and the environment that suit our sense of ethical contentment, rather than enlighten and inform us.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I won’t give too much away, suffice to say that anyone with an interest in environmental ethics, food choices, hunting, vegetarianism and wildlife, should read this book.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarians Hunt for Sustenance” By Tovar Cerulli. Pegasus Books ISBN 978-1-60598-277-9</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Author's website: <a href="http://www.tovarcerulli.com/">http://www.tovarcerulli.com/</a></span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-41920636972753337962012-01-28T15:24:00.000-08:002012-01-28T15:48:03.573-08:00The Debutante Hunters - Sundance Film Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3HAqAuIYsL2AWCpUn0uj9RuoAG7umDbh7Z2CdIVXYXJ8EdDrwkG1bfI-Ihvp2LUZtuJUlxu9qL5YO9bpsJWjI4fsw9rDFVF3iJ-LfKy8jxrBFNq_sRqlxT3DDfD2B8BhlaMoZfRazDfu/s1600/external03c1209c-98c4-4d6f-8d6a-7a9bf260e032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3HAqAuIYsL2AWCpUn0uj9RuoAG7umDbh7Z2CdIVXYXJ8EdDrwkG1bfI-Ihvp2LUZtuJUlxu9qL5YO9bpsJWjI4fsw9rDFVF3iJ-LfKy8jxrBFNq_sRqlxT3DDfD2B8BhlaMoZfRazDfu/s200/external03c1209c-98c4-4d6f-8d6a-7a9bf260e032.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Click the link below. A great clip about women hunters in South Carolina with some honest expression and real love for the hunt in its entirety (sorry, I couldn't embed the clip).<br />
<br />
The heartfelt admission that 'it's like home' makes me think that those lessons and that ethic will be properly passed to her children...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://screen.yahoo.com/sundance-2012-debutante-hunters-short-27874990.html">http://screen.yahoo.com/sundance-2012-debutante-hunters-short-27874990.html</a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-14200898827923564512011-10-25T15:30:00.000-07:002011-10-25T15:30:19.117-07:00Zombie Max nonsense...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQWb-5nblx4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seriously Hornady? A heretofore respectable and innovative company decides to dress up ammo like a dollar store Halloween product. The marketing video screams “These shooting enthusiasts are juvenile members of the 101 internet keyboard commando who fantasize about shredding zombies!” It’s a serious disservice to responsible weapon ownership and an insult to those serious about their shooting sports.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zombies? Shooting humanoid targets? Revelling is splattering gore? Is this message to the non-shooting public providing any PR gains? <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disappointing to say the least. It sure as hell doesn’t represent me or my interests AT ALL, nor those of many others I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Brian Joubert</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-12318659821035428522011-10-10T16:58:00.000-07:002011-10-10T16:58:55.971-07:00Cheap and accurate?<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been hearing via assorted tall tales and general bull in the shooting universe that Savage’s new-ish budget iron, the Axis (nee Edge), can turn some pretty fine accuracy. I have handled a few but not shot any, until today. The reports of trigger pulls that could budge a hippo are true, as is the general ‘plasticiness’ of the piece. However for $299 ($329 gets you the package with a set of generic weaver style mounts and a Bushnell ‘Sharpshooter’ 3-9x40 scope) this must be, without a doubt, the best value going. Then again, the other budget Savage offerings like the Stevens 200 and 111/11 FCXP3 also have a reputation for cost defying accuracy).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shot a few 100 and 200 yard groups with one chambered in .223 Remington and it lived up to its reputation. Luckily off the bench one can settle the rifle firmly into a rest and wrestle that trigger; which I would optimistically reckon pulls at about 7-8lbs. After market improvments are available from Rifle Basix. The Sharpshooter scope is not that sharp, but did its part. If it were me I would opt for the naked rifle and contribute a few more pennies into a better piece of glass and mounts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now behold – these are representative 100 yard groups (not cherry picked for glory) from a 300 buck rifle…can you say ‘0.5MOA or less’?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oDzmPhevPcqFh912Tkpy_393vuLbztfQMv9-50gQWyAeSaH6S4UGQjfVC2MPtxojAhP8SnC0kFsEYjPGOqJ2p8Uo0Jo8yRlrYS9J5C38f-IoW2EFlyt20m1Yg6LaQu5nt034QHCBOceB/s1600/Axis_223_small1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oDzmPhevPcqFh912Tkpy_393vuLbztfQMv9-50gQWyAeSaH6S4UGQjfVC2MPtxojAhP8SnC0kFsEYjPGOqJ2p8Uo0Jo8yRlrYS9J5C38f-IoW2EFlyt20m1Yg6LaQu5nt034QHCBOceB/s320/Axis_223_small1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemKFUY48-FC8oR05UMj56gRZHHmjUDzgNJE4Y91bCSlJF37Ds_c822YjFUelnMGbQpjigPThpAu1Ho8X8nAjiPbWehi8VAWvfc1FomUFQDV9zGLeYEhcLjJesUrOvAg77LJ3CAE2GWFXN/s1600/Axis_223_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemKFUY48-FC8oR05UMj56gRZHHmjUDzgNJE4Y91bCSlJF37Ds_c822YjFUelnMGbQpjigPThpAu1Ho8X8nAjiPbWehi8VAWvfc1FomUFQDV9zGLeYEhcLjJesUrOvAg77LJ3CAE2GWFXN/s320/Axis_223_small2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-48148360365274425732011-09-27T20:14:00.000-07:002011-09-27T20:47:19.684-07:00A horse named Ovis: a sheep story<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3Rc2QMAB4ZgxDvYwqzWOGe5p_jmHQ-kDKcIL8P6rJvBZm_iJUh0tD6c9Ftyq9ZUD5r99FojeCQ6zKcF-axvaTKiTV_WVg85oUVI_SGCeICGJw5qWMcr6ybEZVS8kraAc10njbuc1X_FY/s1600/Blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3Rc2QMAB4ZgxDvYwqzWOGe5p_jmHQ-kDKcIL8P6rJvBZm_iJUh0tD6c9Ftyq9ZUD5r99FojeCQ6zKcF-axvaTKiTV_WVg85oUVI_SGCeICGJw5qWMcr6ybEZVS8kraAc10njbuc1X_FY/s320/Blog1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ovis (C. Craig)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well his name isn't really Ovis, it’s actually Taco, but for the six days he carried my butt up and down steep rocky trails we didn’t know that – he was borrowed from someone else you see. ‘New Horse’ was his more used alias but ‘Ovis’ seemed fitting for a horse that carried me on my first attempt at hunting Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep (<em>Ovis canadensis canadensis</em>).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My interest in pursuing these icons of mountain game has remained on simmer for the last few years and I should admit this with some self-criticism. This is because the constraints on sheep hunting in Alberta are essentially self-created. Barring a few areas with licences on a draw-only basis, most sheep can be pursued by residents of the province with an over-the-counter tag. That’s right, you buy a tag, lace up your boots and pursue Big Horn rams! Of course these licenses are for ‘Trophy Rams’ only, limiting the hunter to rams with a very strictly controlled minimum horn length (tips must pass an imaginary line that extends from the front of the horn base past the front of the eye). Legal rams are therefore not exactly a Sunday morning doddle to bag but hey, only ones ambition, skills and physical condition separate you from pursuing one of the apogees of the hunters’ realm. Why didn’t I try this earlier?</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTNp3cndmGWJ4of-GTY0aJE28kIe8BJAVFKCQiEfGnMkWhuUJ9UYfHMCbn-czm9pon3p4rq7aX1bpkOa8iZW6e0L9HgipiL4FPKEQtKCLC2BHMyaxXa7PVBWjRpiE-2LnLKhbFhSNlMgX/s1600/Blog16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTNp3cndmGWJ4of-GTY0aJE28kIe8BJAVFKCQiEfGnMkWhuUJ9UYfHMCbn-czm9pon3p4rq7aX1bpkOa8iZW6e0L9HgipiL4FPKEQtKCLC2BHMyaxXa7PVBWjRpiE-2LnLKhbFhSNlMgX/s320/Blog16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High country above camp. The ewe came from up there. <br />
(J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition to these tags one may also apply for a ‘Non-Trophy’ license which entitles you take any age Big Horn ewe, or ram under one year old, in a specific area. The ‘Non-Trophy’ approach was planted in my mind by an acquaintance with some mountain mileage on his boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He advised me to apply for one of these licenses and then still carry a trophy ram tag. This way one can get out and learn to hunt sheep - and that learning curve is as long and steep as a scree slope my friends- while still having the option to bring home a ewe. Finding a ewe has a probability far higher than for that curl-horned laird of the alpine meadows that keeps sheep hunters barely on the right side of sanity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also read some experienced sheep hunters espouse the virtues of ewes as first class table fair, which I have learned is quite true. I luckily managed to get my dirty mitts on just such a tag…<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD03q1tpjytT9KGZ46k5yIrpp-mcbjDG3nmFda7MR_YGFcCUeAxsfK8YAGmVv9-tR50qvE5iNgFgI4GEqPQlPOaWpYcvApkUQKh4VlLo-7M8tlmFmeYgN5sIXiP7MAbd43Ksvk54JEQTVn/s1600/Blog11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD03q1tpjytT9KGZ46k5yIrpp-mcbjDG3nmFda7MR_YGFcCUeAxsfK8YAGmVv9-tR50qvE5iNgFgI4GEqPQlPOaWpYcvApkUQKh4VlLo-7M8tlmFmeYgN5sIXiP7MAbd43Ksvk54JEQTVn/s320/Blog11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the sheep home</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The idea to hunt sheep this fall was hatched with friend John during a Black Bear hunt this spring. John is not only a keen and experienced hunter but also the breeder of no-nonsense quarter horses and the possessor of expert equine skills (<a href="http://www.pattisonlivestock.ca/">you can peruse his fine steeds here</a>). With the mention of a horse trip around the campfire our sanguine plan for a first sheep hunt in the <a href="http://www.willmorewilderness.com/">Willmore Wilderness</a> was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so it was with great ebullience that John, Christine and I set off riding into Big Horn glory on a clear September morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And ride we did. In order to get into the area where the non-trophy and trophy tags would both be valid we had committed to a ride that proved to be a little longer and lot more technical than we had thought. That in many ways was a blessing in disguise as the riding itself, far from being just a mode of transport in this wonderful motor-free wilderness, was a fantastic experience. I can tell you nothing about horses or riding but from the little riding that I have done in my life, John’s horses are by far the most disciplined, level-headed, agreeable and reliable equines I have had the pleasure of being around!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95l-c_Ueyp2m1X15mmtNka7eAurogTQ7EnSKzT1az-3frGQDcsHGjsoyTVmzA5tB2jp7v-Es0s7po1ZH4W10S8GYf3Hh31EfbTTPsDyJJqFgKnsKGFk7o9lQnX3SqOOy_FNzZWD29WcZa/s1600/Blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95l-c_Ueyp2m1X15mmtNka7eAurogTQ7EnSKzT1az-3frGQDcsHGjsoyTVmzA5tB2jp7v-Es0s7po1ZH4W10S8GYf3Hh31EfbTTPsDyJJqFgKnsKGFk7o9lQnX3SqOOy_FNzZWD29WcZa/s320/Blog5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idyllic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our first night found us well short of our intended destination and with a long ridge climb ahead. We opted to bivvy in what we termed ‘Moose Marsh’. In the wee hours of the morning we were awoken by a rutting bull Moose, grunting and raking his way closer to our camp. The second afternoon found us decide on an absolutely idyllic camp site, still short of our mark, but with a good looking wade across the Sulphur River and access into sheep meadows up either a creek bed or a ridge line. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We opted to access the high country the next morning on the ridge that I thought, with some temerity, ‘looked like a nice hike’. Later we looked back on the scree slope we shuffled up are decided it looked like a decidedly stupid place to ascend! Anyway, it got us into sheep-meadows that had sheep trails, tracks and droppings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSylCQs4s3IaU5zTbuM_tNLoCcxZsKSLKIBovE0eJzVoMnoAWMj84O2g8nPx42dDsNOd38-OvnJCLhTEZZWpJqrB91ZOvnWIgaS0GApZJHYO6i6vIM4WLyen_niY6twUCyOuXlyIOdt5_Y/s1600/Blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSylCQs4s3IaU5zTbuM_tNLoCcxZsKSLKIBovE0eJzVoMnoAWMj84O2g8nPx42dDsNOd38-OvnJCLhTEZZWpJqrB91ZOvnWIgaS0GApZJHYO6i6vIM4WLyen_niY6twUCyOuXlyIOdt5_Y/s320/Blog7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascending (J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the first round of glassing (and depleting our water) we split up – Christine and I were to meet John a couple of hours later on a not-too-distant ridge. It was while glassing on this final ridge (OK, more resting) that a band of ewes walked past us at about 60m. I had my opportunity, the .308 spoke and I secured a ewe that was for me a realistic and tenable goal for a first ever sheep hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To cut a long story short the recovery was arduous (It seems that they are never easy with sheep). We opted to carry the ewe down a rather dense creek bed come avalanche chute that led to the riverside camp far below. I have a great debt of gratitude to John who had the ability to move faster than me down the creek, with a sheep on his back, and was instrumental in the recovery. Next time we pursue sheep, he is up first for a ram. Christine dutifully toted rifles, took photos and ever the nurse, noted that our butts, bloodied from wet gutted sheep, made us look like patients suffering from a gastro-intestinal bleed... She also laid down the sensible law that saw us leave the sheep up a tree a mile from camp, instead of risking a serious injury as darkness fell on our recovery efforts. The following morning saw us take the horses as far we could to help us with the recovery on the last stretch. Many thanks to Scout the wonder-horse who could probably pack a bundle of angry Rattlesnakes through an inner city riot without looking at all concerned. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ0kD606FYVfP9tBTGNUIdyI0Fx_54jcLjjzGS5ILPbY2CjC-1kth4ws8y3PAgwb_giGTujnfS2VbUd77CL_DS49bUBWpcYOCsoqgt5UgAYOh6-CMGOSGxjcMW5v1m7xeIytNujLLbydS/s1600/Blog15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ0kD606FYVfP9tBTGNUIdyI0Fx_54jcLjjzGS5ILPbY2CjC-1kth4ws8y3PAgwb_giGTujnfS2VbUd77CL_DS49bUBWpcYOCsoqgt5UgAYOh6-CMGOSGxjcMW5v1m7xeIytNujLLbydS/s320/Blog15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small part of a successful trip. The ewe was destined<br />
for that spot of river in valley below. (C. Craig)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall a truly incredible wilderness trip that provided a wealth of insights on hunting, conservation, the value of wilderness and time spent with great people. I learned a lot about the area we hunted (which is vast, so ‘a lot’ is relative) and about sheep hunting. This trip was certainly a catalyst in my avidity to hunt sheep in the future. The goal now is to add these insights to my sheep homework list and get out there again. Perhaps I should also do more balance training with weight on my back!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PS – I just learned that Ovis / New Horse (Taco) placed second at a recent mountain horse trial competition. That’s my boy! ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll let some photos do the talking:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lJFPr7p309dVkM7dRGEO7XTzP6WG3V-V4WcRzB9fiV7-gAeISq18qkL-up1cJg8ZSxk7RA-mJU8JvRHifZWqNL5n5_K6VSuYRzIIFCOiDJJH_ceipF9w6VVZWQgufMJZpOOpVkT0d7AK/s1600/Blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lJFPr7p309dVkM7dRGEO7XTzP6WG3V-V4WcRzB9fiV7-gAeISq18qkL-up1cJg8ZSxk7RA-mJU8JvRHifZWqNL5n5_K6VSuYRzIIFCOiDJJH_ceipF9w6VVZWQgufMJZpOOpVkT0d7AK/s320/Blog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scout the wonder horse (C. Craig)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64kwQIe4MVXQnpjU2Bb_kEq26lNRqgWvgq4mhqv3g16G9AY8qQZR_Rz3-tR0n_Kr6eaJm-8tOmf5F4lmrWJIpmUZl3yeUES32C5jex2scRiWXURAjO3TNvy6_jUmkcfVYW41gVqFxk4mu/s1600/Blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64kwQIe4MVXQnpjU2Bb_kEq26lNRqgWvgq4mhqv3g16G9AY8qQZR_Rz3-tR0n_Kr6eaJm-8tOmf5F4lmrWJIpmUZl3yeUES32C5jex2scRiWXURAjO3TNvy6_jUmkcfVYW41gVqFxk4mu/s320/Blog4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paleo diet, anyone? (J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjP12314g5meJOmQNbVdpaH_-odU83cEjtiwwK-W-sqcb5omcCuPfNc30r-DqDnNZSDg62Cskthnm9HMq8l5W2jhDPgaTkN-YhjzQ_VvCoKO0cz_beq7lj1ig0cNFjB-EDNwfuaqdtaLf/s1600/Blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjP12314g5meJOmQNbVdpaH_-odU83cEjtiwwK-W-sqcb5omcCuPfNc30r-DqDnNZSDg62Cskthnm9HMq8l5W2jhDPgaTkN-YhjzQ_VvCoKO0cz_beq7lj1ig0cNFjB-EDNwfuaqdtaLf/s320/Blog6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's for breakfast? (C. Craig)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28mtAfFGTEpWGOVVl6QZOqlN-i0i5RIeVm4eJRAUWmlJaY_w0ebh_yiRsK1xaIgUhNHyQ9CQ4n27DwDzZshlikume9McvPBEys522F4EpLHk4kikZ9xufd7Do8L0UhuEScOrqgrrgwQhk/s1600/Blog8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28mtAfFGTEpWGOVVl6QZOqlN-i0i5RIeVm4eJRAUWmlJaY_w0ebh_yiRsK1xaIgUhNHyQ9CQ4n27DwDzZshlikume9McvPBEys522F4EpLHk4kikZ9xufd7Do8L0UhuEScOrqgrrgwQhk/s320/Blog8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glassing, snoozing and admiring Browning's fancy new sling <br />
for the A-Bolt! (J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7ontqB66gADqRc2lw8yqfR24Q8ER7-iqLtgtkhMy_WK5zHC9h0m-PI3c6wym14vAPW0cSttQ07Io2PyMuzApVf8VhfQJWSbbK0wEoVoBQTgbh-6BVnWMLDyx7ffFaeWZR1YlUBqByj75/s1600/Blog9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7ontqB66gADqRc2lw8yqfR24Q8ER7-iqLtgtkhMy_WK5zHC9h0m-PI3c6wym14vAPW0cSttQ07Io2PyMuzApVf8VhfQJWSbbK0wEoVoBQTgbh-6BVnWMLDyx7ffFaeWZR1YlUBqByj75/s320/Blog9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My feeble attempts at packing the sheep! (J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4lFFp9hy4BdbR0Jci58aLH5T_36siJK-bhi-jreGi30YOA9kgb1NQQiuFRDWnPxDBnnVenaK78PO5Th9SPDy9E7ZHAQLNyVFZ09ASU5NP62nW-Wfvd_u3BK6xCpqM3KplkR2E9sbqxow/s1600/Blog10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4lFFp9hy4BdbR0Jci58aLH5T_36siJK-bhi-jreGi30YOA9kgb1NQQiuFRDWnPxDBnnVenaK78PO5Th9SPDy9E7ZHAQLNyVFZ09ASU5NP62nW-Wfvd_u3BK6xCpqM3KplkR2E9sbqxow/s320/Blog10.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now how do we get this up out of bear reach?<br />
(J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNJslP5kynT0CraXhu5eckavpOnN1N0tNDaaM30XlbNK3kwdQFtC43T83CAUunRLETV7tbYq0qLYT_6KHDNn9gw7jqalM3xSZ6L50BkoMkoAtjxuKdm6wY8WXdWWozR7LKejoCR2VECMp/s1600/Blog12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNJslP5kynT0CraXhu5eckavpOnN1N0tNDaaM30XlbNK3kwdQFtC43T83CAUunRLETV7tbYq0qLYT_6KHDNn9gw7jqalM3xSZ6L50BkoMkoAtjxuKdm6wY8WXdWWozR7LKejoCR2VECMp/s320/Blog12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris on Thunder (J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-UUDw2_k9qljuycGx6cueN0p0iYEvcAEufQ_SQA3_N6vWHAyCfcOYUKLtWKk2aKammi5yMRKD9INbXftd5N-861H3VewIeqlDvwVpzuDz4GGWt6mzY5O3H7NoSkvphmI48ZDFyv6tFAe/s1600/Blog13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-UUDw2_k9qljuycGx6cueN0p0iYEvcAEufQ_SQA3_N6vWHAyCfcOYUKLtWKk2aKammi5yMRKD9INbXftd5N-861H3VewIeqlDvwVpzuDz4GGWt6mzY5O3H7NoSkvphmI48ZDFyv6tFAe/s320/Blog13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's for lunch? (J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiP4oVM_lbio3M3Cy_QTB9gRURlmHzuVhHel4QEuIPCS6WEJgNBNUc8oDsgJXUTLiXU0DtcMBcZIv7kkkTUx8JBI9BxmG1z35nsga4TN8M0ZYY7_IX6Ihil0OcRxjgV7s-41z0pDSCwDy/s1600/Blog14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiP4oVM_lbio3M3Cy_QTB9gRURlmHzuVhHel4QEuIPCS6WEJgNBNUc8oDsgJXUTLiXU0DtcMBcZIv7kkkTUx8JBI9BxmG1z35nsga4TN8M0ZYY7_IX6Ihil0OcRxjgV7s-41z0pDSCwDy/s320/Blog14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those who care let you ride with your hat like this...<br />
(J. Pattison)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SXYALr4Ho6ejvQFzXgF5kS1nRzO3dyeuhQ_-KeC7Ppu4wJq2FcZ6KbMluL9ZG3G64NkgqlN7dvNssSlVfNLhqK4QGkR6uq5VehD322s8e0iKc92dH7lR7nepCb-vr3ZmVvD3R39b8CQA/s1600/Blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SXYALr4Ho6ejvQFzXgF5kS1nRzO3dyeuhQ_-KeC7Ppu4wJq2FcZ6KbMluL9ZG3G64NkgqlN7dvNssSlVfNLhqK4QGkR6uq5VehD322s8e0iKc92dH7lR7nepCb-vr3ZmVvD3R39b8CQA/s320/Blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep packing (C. Craig)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M6ggRHY2zTvdFPGkBpkyiquAgVPshBoJhGSQiX6Q8-zmyeCp1rQ-9dgXvIAfmohNRI121hYQ9DD-nUeWQs3_h4ok8sNmuZBZCf3s_inwNamVVSYBlIMYWRFLH6pkdsCpg8uBAX1Frd6n/s1600/Blog17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M6ggRHY2zTvdFPGkBpkyiquAgVPshBoJhGSQiX6Q8-zmyeCp1rQ-9dgXvIAfmohNRI121hYQ9DD-nUeWQs3_h4ok8sNmuZBZCf3s_inwNamVVSYBlIMYWRFLH6pkdsCpg8uBAX1Frd6n/s320/Blog17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The human pack horse! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-89323719768582337972011-08-29T18:19:00.000-07:002011-08-29T18:19:42.241-07:00Tree Saddle - a better tree stand?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Y-8_KPNm-8XGnfyK4pF0xhs3wrGMtb2GkvTt_GskyyDX9NiGMrKOkFbkZtrwhSmSo7-qCvGSMBOFqCqrqTlVX8vhOyseaf_9m0qBIwZyzgMJFAoo2ISxW9kVzv74KaC_WDUJ6ty_zgt/s1600/treesaddle4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Y-8_KPNm-8XGnfyK4pF0xhs3wrGMtb2GkvTt_GskyyDX9NiGMrKOkFbkZtrwhSmSo7-qCvGSMBOFqCqrqTlVX8vhOyseaf_9m0qBIwZyzgMJFAoo2ISxW9kVzv74KaC_WDUJ6ty_zgt/s320/treesaddle4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Having never used a tree stand before, I began considering one after taking the leap into archery this year. Whitetail are the most prevalent quarry in the areas that I hunt and those in the know advised that hunting elevated would be the best tactic if I hoped to tag an archery deer. <br />
<br />
<br />
After considering a climber, hang-on or ladder stand and weighing them against the usefulness of a ground blind, I was introduced to the idea of a tree saddle by a fellow on a local outdoor forum. The <a href="http://www.trophylineusa.com/">Trophyline Tree Saddle</a> is essentially a suspended sling seat built into a fall protection harness. The unit incorporates a lineman’s belt for safer climbing and a second independent webbing strap that acts as an adjustable anchor once wrapped around the tree. One climbs the tree using any of the step systems you would use for a regular stand. There is no safety harness as your ‘stand’ is essentially a safety harness with a sling seat. The seat on my ‘Ambush’ model is made from heavy duty mesh.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The process of using it is basically as follows: Once wearing the harness you begin climbing using the lineman’s belt for support as you go, affixing whatever tree steps you choose as you ascend (I am using <a href="https://www.climbpaws.com/productcart/pc/climbpaws-default.asp?">ClimbPaws</a> strap-on steps). The final steps you attach will serve as foot rests and foot supports when seated in the saddle. Once at the desired height you wrap the safety strap twice around the tree, above head height, and finish it in an overhand knot. You then feed it through the waist loop on the harness, clip the steel loop to the snap hook and you are ready to hang. The lineman’s belt can be removed and stowed at this point. The safety loop is adjustable while in use, so you can lengthen it for a more sitting type position or shorten it for a more straight legged position.<br />
<br />
<br />
One really needs to practice with it in order to find a good position. You will also require knee pads in order to rest your knees against the tree trunk at times. For the sake of brevity I’ll list the good and bad points of this unit…<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUR7PfSWHKwqHtyJy_Djy5XFLbJcfUYk7Px_RCuWyky3F9prxdcfy9EX_dOXTLKam4Kr9A9VDnsQJWT9bGoSKTN4qUV6GjK08pfz0J1s41UiZw_YHv7rzpZFEo_uwRzS_ng_LZ9s_xZyc/s1600/treesaddle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUR7PfSWHKwqHtyJy_Djy5XFLbJcfUYk7Px_RCuWyky3F9prxdcfy9EX_dOXTLKam4Kr9A9VDnsQJWT9bGoSKTN4qUV6GjK08pfz0J1s41UiZw_YHv7rzpZFEo_uwRzS_ng_LZ9s_xZyc/s320/treesaddle2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At rest in a straight-legged position<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_750z0PJQk-uIO6U0w2woyVswPWBXU0t7khmGnBRb0iDEUrmWmtC1v5dHgFY5iTKWbuXFyNBIsvz9Z4ZpeFxqeSqIOUJSaUV2Ak4T2UcrjG6kC1yDgSD_0XduHFaD2T7k9dBtBZgMgAow/s1600/treesaddle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_750z0PJQk-uIO6U0w2woyVswPWBXU0t7khmGnBRb0iDEUrmWmtC1v5dHgFY5iTKWbuXFyNBIsvz9Z4ZpeFxqeSqIOUJSaUV2Ak4T2UcrjG6kC1yDgSD_0XduHFaD2T7k9dBtBZgMgAow/s320/treesaddle1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<u>The Good</u><br />
<br />
Its light and very portable (you wear it while walking), meaning you can change trees quickly to adjust your hunting style; something you cannot do easily with conventional stands (except perhaps climbing stands) unless you have a few previously set up. It’s also quiet with no metallic sounds.<br />
<br />
It can be used on virtually any tree that is safe to climb, regardless of how crooked it is or how many branches it has.<br />
<br />
Facing towards the tree seems counter -intuitive but it works. The tree provides extra cover (and for rifle shooters works as a rest).<br />
<br />
You can turn and shoot from different angles and in different directions. The marketing blurb states 360 degrees but in my inexperience with this tool I battle to achieve more that about 270 deg – still versatile though.<br />
<br />
Many users appear really devoted to their saddles. They claim them to be far superior to conventional stands. It just seems these devotees are few...<br />
<br />
<u>The Bad</u><br />
<br />
My unit had a semi functional lineman’s belt when I received it. The Canadian agent was very helpful and sent me a new one. I emailed my problem to the manufacturers (3 different email addresses) and have never received a reply. <br />
<br />
Construction and materials: The saddle is undoubtedly strong. The safety belt, for example, has stitching that is designed to shear in the case of a fall and spread the peak shock-load (the principal is similar to what ice-climbers call ‘screamers’). However…the fact that my first obviously unfinished lineman’s belt passed QC concerned me. In addition, the lineman’s belt carries a warning that it should be retired after 5 years. This is prudent but very much erring on the side of caution. What I found odd was the one I received was manufactured in 2007. That means I was shipped a belt that the manufacturer states should be replaced next year – not much longevity is it? I realize that the belt is totally fine and will be until it starts showing obvious wear, induced from supporting my butt up a tree(the warning is prudent and obviously meant to mitigate liability). BUT, why sell products with your own warnings that render them unfit for use soon after sale?<br />
<br />
The product advertising and packaging is plastered with Treestand Manufacturers Association logos. They are not affiliated with the TMA, I know, I emailed the TMA to confirm. Perhaps they used to be? I am not suggesting the product doesn’t meet TMA standards but I feel this is unfortunate advertising. I have used a fair amount of climbing and high ropes gear of high quality that all carry CE and/or UIAA ratings. A TMA rating would be welcome. I realize that climbing gear is made to withstand factor-2 falls and is used under much harsher conditions. I might just be too pedantic; besides, I balk at the weld jobs on some of the ladder stands I have looked at. I am probably just over cautious but peace of mind is nice. I have incorporated a second safety rope and sliding prussic into my saddle system.<br />
<br />
<u>Personal experiences thus far:</u><br />
<br />
I have been practicing with the saddle a fair amount. You need to find your comfort zone with it. I was assured of how amazingly comfortable they are and how you can sit in them for hours. They are indeed quite comfortable and each time I have practiced with it, the comfort has improved. As for sitting in it all day? The jury is still out on that one for me…<br />
<br />
Shooting from the saddle is very different! You use your feet, on whatever steps or supports you choose, to push away from the tree or hook your feet under to help you rotate and make shots in different directions. The key is to rotate your whole body as much as possible in the saddle, not just turn your shoulders. I am shooting acceptably at closer ranges from the saddle but it needs work!<br />
<br />
Well those are my preliminary thoughts on the tree saddle. I will be using it more and will hopefully enjoy success with it this fall. I’ll keep you posted!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMPQa14vkBd5lUB7QIbbCGDHUov3jfmNaT0oXIkD7WJzuho0w_RJiGIuDYF216RkEnrvOcANCJQN0P4osNxx9KXuxwyuWHjYCzWI9vV33RCP7Cy-nixJ4jQX2-iiiigoawUDvZbAWz0rn/s1600/treesaddle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMPQa14vkBd5lUB7QIbbCGDHUov3jfmNaT0oXIkD7WJzuho0w_RJiGIuDYF216RkEnrvOcANCJQN0P4osNxx9KXuxwyuWHjYCzWI9vV33RCP7Cy-nixJ4jQX2-iiiigoawUDvZbAWz0rn/s320/treesaddle3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rotating to shoot behind you is actually quite easy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert</span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-42188840449460204092011-07-24T21:45:00.000-07:002011-09-26T14:38:32.441-07:00Outdoor-sports: A green audit.Most of us involved in outdoor sports take an interest in environmental or green issues. That paddlers, climbers, surfers, skiers, hikers <em>et al</em> are environmentally conscious, seems to be accepted as axiomatic. <br />
Despite these stated environmental concerns there is often a juxtaposition in our revealed behaviour, myself included. <br />
<br />
Now far from intending to bore you with the platitudes of my naval gazing, I think that my anecdotal ‘green audit’ has some value. Firstly, we normally all agree that initiating newcomers into outdoor lifestyles is pressingly important in our ever increasingly nature-disconnected lifestyles. Furthermore, the assumption is that if people develop an interest in the outdoors the spinoff will naturally be a concern for conservation and the environment. For the most part I strongly agree with this postulate but am sceptical of any claims to an unquestionable, minimized environmental footprint from this consciousness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-xJ0sg46zPfEcTBGoIS80Yo93ALtKgqMcFIBBXfmp96EplE6h1mxoQRmUq2eVvNKteRXQZ5MPcXfeaB3OcxdvoGS7pdDr0E95L35ThP7A8vQzNLjmv7LjAZJNkvIXYiGIfgxV-GVGVir/s1600/standard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-xJ0sg46zPfEcTBGoIS80Yo93ALtKgqMcFIBBXfmp96EplE6h1mxoQRmUq2eVvNKteRXQZ5MPcXfeaB3OcxdvoGS7pdDr0E95L35ThP7A8vQzNLjmv7LjAZJNkvIXYiGIfgxV-GVGVir/s320/standard.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>Secondly I want to briefly contrast the footprints of my two main outdoor passions one considered ‘non-consumptive’ – kayaking, and the other - <br />
hunting, considered ‘consumptive’ of the environment (and nothing short of an environmental crime by some who espouse green-living ideals). <br />
<br />
I will touch on three areas of comparison and perhaps it will motivate you to reflect, if you already haven’t, on these issues . An important caveat: I am not out to sully the sports or lifestyle of anyone or any activity. This is simply an open and critical admission based on my reality and observations. Both kayaking and hunting have been central to my life and ideology for a long time. The lessons they have taught me are invaluable and the places and people they have introduced me to have often been life changing.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
1) Materials: I have a veritable heap of duffel bags filled with years worth of river gear. Between the boats, paddles, dry gear, base layers and rescue equipment is a bewildering array of not-too-friendly-to-the-environment materials. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, fibreglass, carbon fibre, resins, epoxy’s, foams, acrylics, polyurethane, volatile organic compounds and so on. My breathable dry gear contains PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) which requires toxic PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) to produce it. Simply put, a plethora of synthetics that may be toxic to produce at some point, may take centuries to degrade and may cause a host of problems when discarded.<br />
<br />
My hunting gear certainly contains some synthetics but not nearly as much. Most of my equipment is also bound to last a very, very long time (see point 2).<br />
<br />
To be fair there has been an acknowledgement of this materials problem and steps to mitigate its impact. Innovation of non-toxic synthetics, experimental <em>Sphingomonas</em> bacterial plastic decomposition and the use of naturals seem to have grown in popularity. Replacing old smelly polypropylene base layers with wool is now commonplace as is, for example, reverting to wood in place of carbon or glass fibre parts (e.g. paddles). However, we must be thorough in our evaluation of synthetics vs. naturals and be aware of the materials life cycle and overall footprint before proclaiming naturals to be vastly superior. The reason for this is that opportunities to recycle old outdoor gear are now more available (but shipping large gear to recycling collection point still remains a challenge). From meager research it appears that many recycled synthetics are not as bad as I thought (and help keep those useless little water bottles out of the pacific gyr). Fleece is apparently not the environmental pariah some think it is, especially when made from said plastic bottles. However the reality, at least to me, appears to be that outside of small soft items deposited into in-store drop boxes, much outdoor gear remains un-recycled when defunct, living in the large synthetic heaps we begin to accumulate. Or it is sent into the garbage. We need some commitment to longevity and recycling; which brings me to my next point.<br />
<br />
2) Longevity and replacement fads: Lets face it, as outdoors sports people many of us are gear-heads. This year’s playboat, snowboard or bike; we love to replace our gear with the new models, while telling ourselves this is the ONE, the design I have finally been waiting for, the last one I’ll ever need…until next spring that is! Amongst hunters there certainly is a segment that seems to chase new gear, new camo patterns, new packs etc. but for the most part replacements don’t appear nearly as frequent. Some archers perhaps tend more towards ‘gear-headism’ as the technology moves rapidly within that discipline but a well-cared for bow will do its operators bidding for many years.<br />
<br />
A lot of hunting gear also lasts for many years. I have used rifles well over a half a century old that could still do another 50 years. Optics of decent quality can easily see you through 20 plus years in the field. I am not sure when last I saw a 10 year old kayak on the river and how many 20 year old skis do you see on the hill? <br />
<br />
Granted, many outdoors people do care for and use their gear, like packs and tents, for many years but the institution of high frequency cyclical consumption is deeply entrenched in our ‘eco’ outdoor sports. Hunting exists in the same market structures but in my experience the replacement rates due to wear and tear, as well as market trends, tends to be much slower. I have owned and replaced far more pieces of river gear than hunting gear per unit of equivalent time, some of it worn out, a good deal of it simply wilfully phased out in favour of newer and better.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpyKa2sJHODqe5Vn_RQXA0Xoz-V6DArOIAoTAd3QUO5VBzf3qDLzJV9wnkPzF48KJpJ1o9njHhQ3MVEAZf-5LwUhHEKbsXQuqvK7Ot3Tco2SAhJOeyBs0Upel4dGK6UjqDzewCjimA09h/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpyKa2sJHODqe5Vn_RQXA0Xoz-V6DArOIAoTAd3QUO5VBzf3qDLzJV9wnkPzF48KJpJ1o9njHhQ3MVEAZf-5LwUhHEKbsXQuqvK7Ot3Tco2SAhJOeyBs0Upel4dGK6UjqDzewCjimA09h/s320/untitled.bmp" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>3) Travel: This is the 800 pound Gorilla in the room. To quote a journalist and outdoorsman friend of mine from many years ago “we all express concern for the environment but gleefully load our new mountain bikes onto our SUV and drive 500km for a weekend of riding”. I drive a lot to scratch my paddling itch, a lot. In my case this is largely a function of geography. Where I currently live I am 235km (one way) from the nearest piece of useable whitewater and that is often a day trip for me. The distances increase markedly from there. I do it because it’s important to me but the nagging issue of my energy usage is ever present. Of course we car-pool, with friends whenever possible but my point remains – this fact represents significant levels of consumption from my non-consumptive sport. Most of my hunting is done well within 100km of my house, with one area a scant 40km away. Of course some hunters regularly drive long distances and other paddlers (or kite-boaders etc.) can enjoy their sport out of their back doors. In my experience though, many of us in the outdoor sport community rack up significant petro-miles.<br />
<br />
It’s unfortunate that I often hear how hunters are not environmentally concerned (disputed by <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/07/40-million-hunters-fishermen-gop-environment.php">this recent article</a>). This accusation has on many occasions stemmed from someone in the outdoor sport community who would readily proclaim their eco-consciousness. While most of my closest friendships have been borne from time shared with my outdoor sport companions in the bush or on the water, I am not afraid to offer this critique. Self-reflection, honest critique and informed discussion are the corner stones are broadening our knowledge. From my perspective I would have an awfully tough time trying to convince myself that my ‘consumptive’ hunting has a greater environmental impact than my great love of kayaking. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.grist.org/living/2011-07-13-plastic-purge-the-great-plasticky-outdoors">Plastic Purge: The Great Plasticky Outdoors </a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert</span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-89949980285951098232011-07-16T16:32:00.000-07:002011-07-28T14:32:23.426-07:00What tripped YOUR trigger?I have often wondered if other hunters ever experienced revelatory moments that were a distinct catalyst in their decision to take up hunting. This is especially true of those who came to this decision largely per chance or after an largely isolated epiphany, one that arose without any clear influences. After some discussion with a new friend, author <a href="http://www.tovarcerulli.com/">Tovar Cerulli</a>, I spent time thinking about my own hunting and outdoor influences. Tovar has some excellent and well researched insights into ‘adult onset hunters’, many of these types of new hunters come to the activity without the benefit of a community to influence their choice. This parallels my experience, albeit in my youth.<br />
<br />
<br />
I have always been passionate about being outside. I was drawn to angling at age 6 which I believe was the result of being entranced with all the bits in a tackle box I rooted out in my late grandfather’s garage. My family were certainly pro – outdoors but no-one in my immediate family was an angler, shooter or hunter. Both parents and my older brother were also very supportive of my often annoying compulsion to spend seemingly uncomfortable hours in or alongside water bodies with a rod in hand.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVWbD39N4e8zywl8-rs92J8XenpSWcgS-7M2ZqzG__wLO8gDG1UOjBTPp81udDYTUDhLsHUfGJP-dWeHzQFiyTR2uE0WDuzwnHO4gJM4G8kWVA8ylL2txnNnOhyl6Shdi_LEqb0uX3_k1/s1600/yellowbillduck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVWbD39N4e8zywl8-rs92J8XenpSWcgS-7M2ZqzG__wLO8gDG1UOjBTPp81udDYTUDhLsHUfGJP-dWeHzQFiyTR2uE0WDuzwnHO4gJM4G8kWVA8ylL2txnNnOhyl6Shdi_LEqb0uX3_k1/s320/yellowbillduck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear Anas undulata, thanks for tripping my trigger!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The birth of my desire to shoot remains a fuzzy mystery to me. I was exposed to it a few times and always relished the opportunity to shoot and accept the responsibility to do so safely. By the onset of my teens I was fairly interested in it but by no means passionate, until the revelation happened…<br />
<br />
My gang of normally-muddy buddies and I used to fish for carp in a small stream that ran through our local suburb. Late one afternoon while waiting <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
for the carp to rise to our floating bread crusts and lazing on the grassy bank, I watched a pair of Yellow Billed Ducks coming in low over the stream, towards the nearby dam where they roosted. I was fixated on their flight. They passed low in front of me, close enough to see their eyes and every detail in their<br />
plumage. In that moment my entire being was focused on those birds; all I wanted was to close the distance between us. I clearly remember thinking “I wish I had a .410 so I could shoot a duck!” Despite my poor choice of gauge, a switch was flipped in me that radically altered my interests. I read Capstick’s influential Death in the Long Grass, I poured over James Mellon’s <em>tour de force</em>, African Hunter, in the local library and started devising ways to actually hunt. I was 13 and absorbed every piece of hunting related literature and every experience related to hunting that I could. A couple of years later my long suffering father realized I was serious about this stuff and organised a trip for us on a ranch we had holidayed on previously. He borrowed a Parker Hale sporterized No.1Mk3 Lee Enfield and an ancient box of PMP ammunition from a colleague. Undeterred from the minor half-moon I received from the scope, I soon after shot my first ‘real’ game animal – an impala ewe. I am forever grateful for that experience. Many years and many animals later I still find hunting to be revelatory and am happy for the revelations and passion. I have never hunted Yellow Bill Ducks, by the way!<br />
<br />
So, what are your hunting roots? Did you ever have a revelatory moment that shook your foundations as an outdoor person and without warning made you proclaim ‘I want to hunt!’? What did your friends and family think? Go ahead and share it with us.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert</span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-61675980633067256892011-07-08T07:02:00.000-07:002011-07-08T07:02:29.998-07:00Archery form?OK archers and bowhunters, have at me.<br />
<br />
I got this idea from the <a href="http://socalbowhunter.blogspot.com/2011/06/hows-my-form-see-anything-wrong-these.html#comments">SoCal Bowhunter</a> blog a while back and thought it was a good idea to stimulate comments from the outdoor blogosphere. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiqm8zuBfTbwADxDf5xSn2OpOB4sZ6E5uhK8dMfAkJldaTqsBggbOxs9EpAKuej4KsBy1HHA9JrQTWIEBE9tB397HyoSxJ4EiW_8jrHGZR5Tv8__js6z8y5ONtLjeaFGDV6AUn-ebPWxT/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiqm8zuBfTbwADxDf5xSn2OpOB4sZ6E5uhK8dMfAkJldaTqsBggbOxs9EpAKuej4KsBy1HHA9JrQTWIEBE9tB397HyoSxJ4EiW_8jrHGZR5Tv8__js6z8y5ONtLjeaFGDV6AUn-ebPWxT/s320/IMG_0066.JPG" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwUqMmehkjPCbYM3R6fU97lDOMVQrGfgrNJZNghhvZM7iareav-P0Vi65JD_v8y02nnq8s0K-Q4WU5DUkfVZsid-rTfsfqLBKL9f0_9kNUDgnetRozQIvcWUxGPg574IgmAr_Eu_k7TvR/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwUqMmehkjPCbYM3R6fU97lDOMVQrGfgrNJZNghhvZM7iareav-P0Vi65JD_v8y02nnq8s0K-Q4WU5DUkfVZsid-rTfsfqLBKL9f0_9kNUDgnetRozQIvcWUxGPg574IgmAr_Eu_k7TvR/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Take a look at these admittedly poor quality iPhone photos and video and critique my form. We hear so many opinions on archery form I would be interested to hear you thoughts. <br />
<br />
I was thinking my shoulders could be flatter and taking advice from a Chuck Adams column, my leading foot could be more open, pointing a little more towards the target?<br />
<br />
Fire Away!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/o9mL_q8W0wM/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o9mL_q8W0wM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o9mL_q8W0wM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert</span>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-56343023509444608282011-06-27T17:52:00.000-07:002011-07-28T14:32:56.736-07:00Quick and simple venison steak marinadesI often have grand culinary plans for the venison in the freezer but in reality those plans are typically thwarted by habit when I rely on old familiar recipes for the frequent ‘friends-over-for-BBQ’ events. Venison Wellington is a firm favourite but when it comes to the BBQ I use an old standby marinade that just seems to work. It’s extremely simple and you can tweak proportions of the ingredients freely.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Marinade 1</u>: Mix equal parts of <strong>balsamic vinegar</strong>, <strong>olive oil</strong> and <strong>soy sauce</strong>. Add chopped fresh <strong>garlic </strong>to taste and a generous squeeze of <strong>honey</strong>. The volume I am referring to here results in about 1.5 - 2 cups and can cover at least 4-6 large steaks. You need enough to coat each steak and I normally leave them in a ziplock or well packed non-metallic bowl. In other words you don’t need each steak to be ‘swimming’ in the marinade, just well wetted; olive oil and balsamic are pricy, so no need to be excessive. I have had venison steaks marinating in this for as little as 2 hours but my preference is for at least an 8 hour treatment, typically overnight if I plan properly. Rotate the steaks in the bowl or flip the bag once or twice during the marinating process to ensure thorough exposure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiQ-T9KFvMshwzdvhtafUqBmHyUYk97Ihqrh3FpZUb0Ng_n3tJFVUWr-Gq1oqWO0RL5bHWXq-5JJEfCEPZbLaoiJReu2oV_iH2otH97-suF9Ztoc4w_SLJY5ZQ0pwLbPPhjuw02We3E_n/s1600/P6260069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiQ-T9KFvMshwzdvhtafUqBmHyUYk97Ihqrh3FpZUb0Ng_n3tJFVUWr-Gq1oqWO0RL5bHWXq-5JJEfCEPZbLaoiJReu2oV_iH2otH97-suF9Ztoc4w_SLJY5ZQ0pwLbPPhjuw02We3E_n/s320/P6260069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><u>Marinade 2</u>: My latest favourite is even easier and preparation time is about 10 minutes. I give full credit for this simple recipe to my friend John, who served us ‘Cilantro Moose’ a week ago. I cut some inside-round Elk steaks today and gave them the same treatment.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQcI5Eq8Cv1c5wvrETd5RlDsBw8B40HwMJWm1TOYONHLAtRgooMFjfNgxe6MwconYqTT3deWT78Mc5mMja99gChH8a9lXGvjzDS6RJTvFmFutVs1hJ9FCNK60OX6FK2rCeK7gHj4jmbRp/s1600/P6270072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQcI5Eq8Cv1c5wvrETd5RlDsBw8B40HwMJWm1TOYONHLAtRgooMFjfNgxe6MwconYqTT3deWT78Mc5mMja99gChH8a9lXGvjzDS6RJTvFmFutVs1hJ9FCNK60OX6FK2rCeK7gHj4jmbRp/s320/P6270072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Simply coat each steak with approximately a teaspoon of <strong>lemon juice</strong>, rubbed thinly over the surface of the steak. Chop enough <strong>cilantro</strong> to cover each steak, both sides. Each lemon-juiced steak is then sprinkled with a little <strong>oregano</strong>. In a non-metallic bowl I place a thin layer of chopped cilantro then a layer of steak, followed by alternating layers of meat and cilantro. Be generous with the cilantro, a $0.99 bunch of it thoroughly covered 6 steaks. Cover and leave in a cool place/fridge for at least 4 or 5 hours, then to the BBQ! Enjoy…<br />
<br />
© Brian JoubertBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-65551618656601963522011-06-12T14:48:00.000-07:002011-06-13T06:30:48.470-07:00Robin Hood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH1fAxyprS5jYaHsVI4YpoaAYjEsjQk-hoHGZNGOLzy-8InDI9qGbxXWVpUMRZch3Z5WUMTwuW8N5AVy0QzBGQsNfYornSVl7NnBu2g5YzPQaCa-7yF6NyvGTBvuSl9VGeV5uel_z1IWI/s1600/robinhood1_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH1fAxyprS5jYaHsVI4YpoaAYjEsjQk-hoHGZNGOLzy-8InDI9qGbxXWVpUMRZch3Z5WUMTwuW8N5AVy0QzBGQsNfYornSVl7NnBu2g5YzPQaCa-7yF6NyvGTBvuSl9VGeV5uel_z1IWI/s320/robinhood1_small.jpg" t8="true" width="238" /></a></div>It was bound to happen at some time. I shot the last 3D target on the course (at about 30-ish meters) a little low, so decided to take a ‘redemption shot’. Well I clearly shot too low again... The nock on the first arrow was cleanly split in half, the second arrow drove neatly down the shaft!<br />
<br />
Destroying arrows is expensive but being able to gloat over consistency, while conveniently ignoring the element of luck and very low probabilities, is very satisfying ;-)<br />
<br />
May I wear green tights now?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGGJwBJN-CHs8FTniyH_Z8bmrhy9HgktvEhEJbSHidPSk7tbPxj7PBmLUAaS8Y_aOJSjSz9fygJXerMjY4g4xTa8b6NJR06r3g8HpjJgRxyfT7BLyMtWEhATcE2HjRH-E-LUUwbo5Q_hG/s1600/robinhood2_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGGJwBJN-CHs8FTniyH_Z8bmrhy9HgktvEhEJbSHidPSk7tbPxj7PBmLUAaS8Y_aOJSjSz9fygJXerMjY4g4xTa8b6NJR06r3g8HpjJgRxyfT7BLyMtWEhATcE2HjRH-E-LUUwbo5Q_hG/s400/robinhood2_small.jpg" t8="true" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
© Brian JoubertBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-30877435020218085422011-06-07T20:50:00.000-07:002011-07-28T14:34:23.894-07:00On measuring success<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rOxYlpY1xc3I6Yjgvm7pjlYPIiHqS5qdxmk6fhiprQFooWj-kwKL8TQuC3gl-XKUGGITMD7a233qS_WFsQVjuHO-iE7wElT2g7WmOEu0FCt8erQTZXyCHJlpkH9M8j9ElopLv_50dFph/s1600/participating_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rOxYlpY1xc3I6Yjgvm7pjlYPIiHqS5qdxmk6fhiprQFooWj-kwKL8TQuC3gl-XKUGGITMD7a233qS_WFsQVjuHO-iE7wElT2g7WmOEu0FCt8erQTZXyCHJlpkH9M8j9ElopLv_50dFph/s320/participating_blog.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The satisfaction of participating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bear camp this spring was a success. I didn’t get a bear. I was however part of a successful hunt where my friend took his first (he is an otherwise very experienced hunter, just not with black bears). My proposal for the hunt was that seeing as he had never hunted bear and I had taken one in the same area last year, he should have the first opportunity. I was happy to attempt any subsequent opportunities and was keen to attempt it with archery gear (perhaps with some temerity!). <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AhlZxuCqUalvwP-73SwDp8FZhdoErJ-hSZhA5SJNbb6HxE9ti0WpCQ9OMx5i_D-Azg9_HLp3gX8mRrezQ7l3JOqW1ZfArncpYvZBiex8N0YK7DvNWKtcNZucuuZBcfS5CgnpCc2bw2QE/s1600/outside_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AhlZxuCqUalvwP-73SwDp8FZhdoErJ-hSZhA5SJNbb6HxE9ti0WpCQ9OMx5i_D-Azg9_HLp3gX8mRrezQ7l3JOqW1ZfArncpYvZBiex8N0YK7DvNWKtcNZucuuZBcfS5CgnpCc2bw2QE/s320/outside_blog.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The joy of being in camp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After our success on the first evening I was thoroughly enjoying being out and being a part of the bear success. The camp was great, we were shooting our bows, my partner was having her first big game hunting experience, we were philosophising in camp chairs and skinning/butchering a bear over cups of tea – damn grand if you ask me. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div> After my friend’s bear was tagged I had this feeling that the trip was a great success and began to feel that it no longer mattered as much if I got one or not. I have had similar experiences while fishing my favourite runs for Yellowfish, on the Vaal River in South Africa. At times, after making a number of successful pocket casts and getting into a few fish in a rapid, I have felt like I have been granted my fair share of success and harassed the fish enough. I have then retreated to watch birds and Monitor Lizards and laze on rocks – often even in the face of a likely looking eddy imploring me to try and cast a Gold Ribbed Hares Ear into it!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhefSA0AOvlF07e-VTqbajrCoSlsBAo2rIp47Ljb7oAxAI1aW-rpFkCg53cXlGLEVYjxSYitt7JvGAlwOZN_6eIPYEMweNm3L5ZTFID0FaUR611nb71FyIAMiFe1bpdAIWEDwgeNAfkd_/s1600/success_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhefSA0AOvlF07e-VTqbajrCoSlsBAo2rIp47Ljb7oAxAI1aW-rpFkCg53cXlGLEVYjxSYitt7JvGAlwOZN_6eIPYEMweNm3L5ZTFID0FaUR611nb71FyIAMiFe1bpdAIWEDwgeNAfkd_/s320/success_blog.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing success with friends (ignore the socks...!).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I realized on this trip that my avidity for being out hunting had been satisfied and that success for me, at that moment, had been defined. Of course had I not had some success the season before I would have been far more compulsive about filling my tag. In part the reason may be that although I find Black Bear meat wholly palatable (and would not hunt them if I didn't), I still don’t really treat it like an ungulate, in other words a primary food animal, and thus perhaps don’t feel so driven to be successful with regularity. Of course I love being successful but realized that all of the vicissitudes of hunting success can all be rewarding. I wonder if you feel the same?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsFodR2b0mEmsfZN7jnBofd5mDNQyB8lxdalu-SCIWNH32W47bSPxr_o_fkBk3NjgVlHO9MUPbhclINbtDp4B7E5GrmE2ia-8J1RRW1dVgiNYGw2W1tSsvK1Jm3O4R_ADGZLRdmHRFKJi/s1600/camptime_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsFodR2b0mEmsfZN7jnBofd5mDNQyB8lxdalu-SCIWNH32W47bSPxr_o_fkBk3NjgVlHO9MUPbhclINbtDp4B7E5GrmE2ia-8J1RRW1dVgiNYGw2W1tSsvK1Jm3O4R_ADGZLRdmHRFKJi/s320/camptime_blog.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying camp down-time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This, I should make clear, is not an indictment on hunters who feel the need to fill as many of their annual tags as possible; I certainly think it’s good to try too. This brings me to my next, and juxtaposed, point on success – how much is enough in order to feel like you have been successful? To be honest I am not a fan of ‘body count’ wing shooting for example. I would love to shoot doves in Argentina but definitely lack the desire to shoot thousands, as seems the norm there. However, in contrast, I do counter the assertions that hunting a few head of big game in a season is ‘too much’. “Why would someone want to hunt elk, a couple of deer and waterfowl in one season? It’s greedy!” is a common accusation. Our regional fish and game magazine ran an article last year where a local hunter described how he and his partner hunted 24 head of big game that year. They filled their legally available and fairly granted provincial tags in Alberta and then embarked on a hunt in Namibia. The size of this bag met with howls of dissention from some readers, who labelled their hunting success as greedy and excessive. One reader stated that after his successful Elk hunt that year he felt ‘guilty’ if he continued to hunt, implying that others should too. This is a large bag, facilitated in no small part by having two seasons in places where there are fewer restrictions on individual hunting opportunities due to robust wildlife populations, combined with relatively low hunter pressure. As long as the hunting was done ethically and legally (<a href="http://orionmind.blogspot.com/2011/05/towards-objective-hunting-ethics.html">here is what I mean by ‘ethical’</a>), with no negative conservation impact, and the animals properly processed and consumed, then I fail to see the excesses in this case and take a more clement view of these hunters’ success.<br />
<br />
That which defines success, it seems, is personal but I would like to think that it is the function of a suite of experiences and phenomena. We all love to seal the deal and fill tags, but sometimes just participating has a satisfaction all of its own.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert</span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-23235168157368125122011-05-27T09:53:00.000-07:002011-07-28T14:35:17.851-07:00Towards objective hunting ethics?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBryq4jmGLc6GlOAHlJAAGRrsAk1vU9YtTFtoY-qaXbk5Y3UmlBiTBN3l02QYUezzJTVsT1rKIDtvoqsfGqHi5KxPF_I0jAhUtB89vsQctlFxc2G2f7uwkOFfKYIPgYbydOg34CXu8Gfq/s1600/hunt_scene_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBryq4jmGLc6GlOAHlJAAGRrsAk1vU9YtTFtoY-qaXbk5Y3UmlBiTBN3l02QYUezzJTVsT1rKIDtvoqsfGqHi5KxPF_I0jAhUtB89vsQctlFxc2G2f7uwkOFfKYIPgYbydOg34CXu8Gfq/s320/hunt_scene_small.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do” <br />
<br />
- Potter Stewart <br />
<br />
I embark on writing my thoughts about hunting ethics with some trepidation. Far from being prosaic, there are few discussions surrounding hunting that can be as fierce as those concerning ethics. Often these debates descend into a quagmire of subjectivity and opinion; proponents of widely varying ethical views predictably claim a right to their doctrines and challenge others to disprove their definitions of sound and acceptable conduct. While hunting ethics can be a horribly messy issue with ample room for debate at their margins, there are certain fundamentals that I believe the vast majority can, and do, agree on.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I wanted to reduce the notion of hunting ethics into four broad criteria. Admittedly, each one in itself represents a knot of issues which alone are fuel for fervid debate. However, with consideration for some of the contingencies within each, I feel they represent a useful starting point for cementing an objective set of hunting ethics. My four criteria are as follows: <br />
<br />
1) Minimise suffering in prey animals<br />
<br />
Simply put, this means we must strive to ensure quick, clean kills. It means respecting the prey animal’s sentience. This typically means one must be proficient with your hunting tools of choice, know the limitations of those tools and your skills, be well familiar with the vital anatomy of the prey and be confident of delivering the intended shot. More pointedly, it commits you to be honest enough to turn down the opportunity to shoot if you don’t feel confident. Of course these recommendations are also fare for debate. Some swear, for example, that a .22 Hornet is ideal for deer; others consider it unethical for anything larger than hares. Some hunters are practiced enough to execute consistent 500 yard shots on deer, others shoot their rifles once every two years. This reverts us back to subjective parameters for determining ethics but if we use the baseline goal of striving for the highest probability for a quick and humane kill, we are able to strip away actions based on chance-taking and honestly admit whether we are in a position to achieve that goal.<br />
<br />
2) Strive to leave no net negative environmental impacts from your hunting activity.<br />
<br />
In other words, tread as lightly as you can. While this mantra carries its maximum worth when applied across lifestyle choices, as hunters we must take seriously our claims to be ecologically conscious. ‘Leave no trace’ camping, staying on defined roads and trails as much as possible, minimising harassment of non-prey animals and generally making sure we treat the areas we hunt with reverence. This includes manufactured landscapes like agricultural areas, which still provide valuable wildlife habitat.<br />
<br />
3) Minimise social conflict<br />
<br />
This means one should hunt with manners and consideration. Manners towards other hunters and people we may encounter, their space in the field, their stands or their camps. Of course if this decorum is not forthcoming towards you from others then let them know, being considerate doesn’t imply the character of a wilting flower! Treat land owners with the utmost respect and gratitude. I cannot understand willful trespassing and the vandalism or disregard for the property of someone who grants you permission to hunt. They have the property rights, you want to hunt, it’s simple. <br />
<br />
4) Obey all relevant laws<br />
<br />
Laws as ethics are a bit of a catch-all category. Most hunting laws exist as ecological imperatives to conserve wildlife by permitting only certain hunting techniques, tools, times and behaviours. Laws of course are in large part institutions based on what is considered acceptable conduct. At the intersection of the legal parameters expressed in these laws we find what could typically be called ethical hunting conduct. Still, laws may not always make explicit the duty to act as ethically as one should and while they are a mandatory baseline for conduct, at times we should treat them as a starting point for ethics. <br />
<br />
Where discussions around hunting ethics trip-up is in the all too common conflation of ethics with ‘sportsmanship’ or the perceived difficulty of a hunt. We often tend to think of a more challenging hunt as being in some way more ethical. I feel that this is to misconstrue the notion of ethics. I have no doubt that a wilderness backpack hunt is more challenging for the hunter, but to claim that this hunter is more ‘ethical’ than one who chooses to wait for game in a blind overlooking an oat field is, in my opinion, more a matter of one-upmanship. It’s a claim to being a hunter of more skill, not necessarily more ethical. I would not argue that for a deer hunter armed with a traditional stick-bow to be consistently successful she must employ more skill than one who prefers to spot deer from her truck, sneak to a nearby rest and shoot it. But is this a question of ethics, or a question of who possesses superior hunting skills? If the four broad criteria above are met, then I believe each example is as ethical as the other. Similarly, <a href="http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1444335693.html">Theodore Vitali</a> argues that ‘Fair Chase’ should entail hunting in such a way as to benefit the broader community and the hunter him or herself. ‘Fair chase’ should describe conscientious, reflective hunting, not a claim to ethics by virtue of a hunt’s difficulty or danger.<br />
<br />
Aristotle advocated that we live virtuously and by hunting with some consideration, care and forethought for the above categories we are, in my opinion, hunting ethically; be it with a ‘beanfield rifle’ over cultivated lands or with a homemade long-bow deep in the back county.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> Brian Joubert</span></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395688378594446867.post-25578747161832803042011-05-15T19:33:00.000-07:002011-05-15T19:38:13.770-07:00You know you had a late spring when.....you are paddling around 5ft thick unshaded ice shelves in the middle of May. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_3Wu-XMfKB2X6UGBPZ_xW0BWoACFhkZIgU0lG-AJMZz5nScHGCi5IWAzA7rXKnoZn86aLyiIFZX4csz84A8GKkTuvfT2Dqd8H-sH12osiu683EMiBGyukTFSXFvXvXmWYzOzPT0H9BYX/s1600/ice_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_3Wu-XMfKB2X6UGBPZ_xW0BWoACFhkZIgU0lG-AJMZz5nScHGCi5IWAzA7rXKnoZn86aLyiIFZX4csz84A8GKkTuvfT2Dqd8H-sH12osiu683EMiBGyukTFSXFvXvXmWYzOzPT0H9BYX/s320/ice_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm spring days, icy spring water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As always, sliding my kayak into the freezing river for the first time after winter was like being freed from a non-paddling cage (I clearly always avoid hyperbole too). My stiff back and shoulders feel rewarding and a pleasant reminder of more river-dances to come this summer.<br />
<br />
Here's a short video. They will get a little better as the summer progresses!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/6jaen_HSfaA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6jaen_HSfaA&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6jaen_HSfaA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
© Brian Joubert<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976781165809973234noreply@blogger.com4