Cyprus-Forum.com

[connor]

I notice that the hunting fraternity is quite big in Cyprus.

I have never had the opportunity to speak directly to one of these people. Maybe on this forum there are some hunters among you so maybe I could direct my questions at you.

I want to make it clear from the offset that I am not attacking you.

Personally I could not go out into the countryside armed with a shotgun and shoot down a pigeon, partridge or take pot shots at rabbits for pure sporting pleasure.

Now if my circumstances were dire and I had to get food in for my family then yes I would have to do it in order to put food on the table...but to do it for sporting purposes..? No I could not.

Some hunters were shooting away last year quite near our property and I saw them bring down three pigeons. Shortly after this I saw them dump the birds bodies in a nearby communal dustbin.

I could not help but wonder what pleasure they got from that. Had they taken the pigeons away with them then I s'pose I would assume pigeon pie was on the menu that evening.

If its a case of enjoying target practice then why not go clay pigeon shooting..?

So my question is..if its not to gather in food as such then what pleasure do you get from just shooting an animal dead..?

Again I will say I am NOT attacking you hunters but rather I am trying to understand why you do it.

[Oracle]

Here are some links into the psychological needs met by hunting....

http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/html/artic ... hehunt.htm

http://hunting.about.com/library/weekly/aa022899.htm

It's a primitive meme which will take eons to erase, sadly

[connor]

Oracle...

Thankyou for that....Both very interesting liks.

[connor]

Sorry...thats meant to be...Links..

[Oracle]

Sorry...thats meant to be...Links..

Your Freudian slip is showing

[connor]

Oooooop's...! Sorry Madam.

[tayl0r]

Yeah, i wrote a paper on this once.

personally i feel that the psychological needs should be met in the safest way possible, and for those who really dont like technology, hunting small animals is good way of releiving that tension, better than killing humans.

[purdey]

You cannot lump all hunters around the world into one catergory.
We are made up of all different types of people. I have been hunting since I was old enough to hold a gun, not a macho thing but a love of the country and the thrill of the hunt.
Hunting requires skill an awareness of surroundings, a knowledge of bird and animal movements and a clear understanding of the natural environment. Over the years I have managed to hunt most quarry in wild areas of the world, I pride myself on having the knowledge of my hunted quarry and their natural surroundings. I have learnt the art of stalking, calling birds and knowing where and when shooting is appropriate.
I am a member of several hunting organisations and work closely with the RSPB in the UK, promoting wildlife areas and conservation of existing areas.
In short, the thrill of the kill is not paramount in the true hunters mind, an awareness and respect of the quarry and it's surroundings should always come first, the bonus is been able to eat something totally wild free from our production line lifestyle.