I am an animal lover and self-proclaimed 'crazy cat lady.' I can't bear the thought of someone killing innocent animals and I was wondering how everyone else feels about the topic.

Keep in mind that was born and raised (and still live in) a rural farming community where it's an everyday thing for a tractor to roll through town and where you'll commonly see a truck pass by with a gun rack. Having been raised on and around farms I have grown to accept selling, raising and eating livestock as a fact of life. I am not a vegetarian but I am a member of the ASPCA.

I love any type of animal you could throw at me. Now, that doesn't mean that I'd cuddle or keep a snake as a pet, but I do have a high level of compassion for any kind of life.

The reason of this poll, however, is directed specifically towards hunting. I realize that hunting is a fact of life (I've seen plenty of deer carcasses hanging from trees). I just can't understand how someone can hop in their truck and spend their evening stalking beautiful, majestic deer and celebrating as their life drains out of them. One of my brothers is an avid hunter, he and I have agreed to disagree on the subject.

How is chasing down a raccoon, squirrel, or deer fun? With what are they supposed to defend themselves? What does that doe feel when her mama doesn't come back after leaving to feed? I do realize that deer are overpopulated, as I'm sure that will come up, but I still couldn't imagine taking the life of an innocent animal and keeping it's head as a trophy...

Edited January 11, 201016 yr by jessress87

As far as animals in general go, they are put here for the use of mankind, and some for man's companionship, and others for food. They have no eternal souls that live on forever, so once they are dead, that's it. They're gone. In light of that truth, I don't judge others who use them as sport. But I feel that it is wasting God's gifts to mankind.

!!!!!

I don't think anything was put here for the use of mankind. I prefer to take the view that we should be caretakers.

I don't see why animals shouldn't go to "heaven" too - if it doesn't have any animals then it must be a pretty awful place and not one where I would want to be!

My family hunts. Deer meat is low fat, and relatively organic. We like meat. If you are going to eat it, the life and death of that deer is far better than that of beef cattle, etc.

I couldn't say only hunt for food, though. We kill the coyotes that come onto our property. They kill the deer, the rabbits, etc. They also have killed 3 of our animals.

I don't know anyone who hunts for trophy alone. They guys we know are a pretty honorable lot.

As you are aware, Pennsylvania is the last state that still shoots down pigeons as “sport”. While the 2008 legislature did not pass legislation to ban this egregious form of animal cruelty, we hope a bill will be passed in 2009 that will end this inhumane practice.

In the meantime, pigeons are being baited, netted and trapped from NY streets and transported over state lines into Pennsylvania for the pigeon shoots. As you can see on the Pigeon Politics blog, Council Member Helen Sears has provided the statutes of law which may make the act of pigeon netting a felony crime.

These pigeon shoots are held in secret, they are not advertized. Many of those who attend cover their car's license plate. They release the pigeons from cages. They also have turkeys tethered to stumps to be shot.

Those who participate in these heinous acts consider themselves hunters and it is approved by the NRA.

And it is legal in PA.

If the pigeons don't die from being shot, they are sometimes gathered up and thrown into a fire.

I see no problem with shooting pigeons for the fun of it. They are a nuisance.

Maybe they can include seagulls too!

I see no problem with shooting pigeons for the fun of it. They are a nuisance.

Maybe they can include seagulls too!

lol, rats with wings...

I see no problem with shooting pigeons for the fun of it. They are a nuisance.

Maybe they can include seagulls too!

These animals have a place in our ecosystem just like all other animals. And the pigeon shoots are not sport nor are they hunting. They are just the wholesale slaughter of an animal for fun. Of course you are entitled to support this and to think it's funny. I think it's sad.

These animals have a place in our ecosystem just like all other animals. And the pigeon shoots are not sport nor are they hunting. They are just the wholesale slaughter of an animal for fun. Of course you are entitled to support this and to think it's funny. I think it's sad.

Rats, pigeons and cockroaches are just a few of the animals that have outplayed their roles in our ecosystem.

They are filthy disease ridden creatures that serve no purpose other than to be a nuisance to humanity.

As you said, to each their own. I am not totally heartless. I don't think the rattlesnake round-ups are right but I won't get in their way.

these are animals that have lost their natural predators.

these are animals that have lost their natural predators.

The main predator of pigeons is hawks. Of course a sick or injured bird that is grounded is in danger from cats and dogs. Owls also will kill a pigeon during the night. As will a possum and a weasel. Baby pigeons and pigeon eggs are in danger from some types of snakes. So, yes, I guess they have a few natural predators.

Also, raccoons, rats, and crows.

can we add crows and canadian geese to the list..crows are evil and the geese are just mean! :smile2:

The last time I noticed, there were an abundance of pigeons in the city, and not an abundance of hawks, etc.

The geese are nasty. They land in our field all of the time. Not many crows, but Laura Ingalls said they tasted good!

I see no problem with shooting pigeons for the fun of it. They are a nuisance.

Maybe they can include seagulls too!

can we add crows and canadian geese to the list..crows are evil and the geese are just mean! :smile2:

While we are at it why don't we just add humans too? If the reasons above are sufficient justification for being able to hunt for fun then I think humans fit the criteria.

They are a nuisance and plenty of them are pretty mean too.

Humans have done more damage to the environment than anything else.

these are animals that have lost their natural predators.

Yep that is definitely true and as a result they are taking over land and resources meant for other species. They cull(fancy name for kill) elephants and other animals when their numbers get to great.

Lol. Cute. Glad you don't

mind cockroaches and mice in your home. Being equal to you, and all. We kill those too here.

Do y'all wear any leather? Eat meat? Eat grain raised in fields where they kill varmints and bugs?

Lol. Cute. Glad you don't

mind cockroaches and mice in your home. Being equal to you, and all. We kill those too here.

Do y'all wear any leather? Eat meat? Eat grain raised in fields where they kill varmints and bugs?

I don't remember saying that I was opposed to all killing but I do have a problem with killing for "sport" or fun.

Here is why its really nice to have a hunter /fisher /gatherer husband. This is about 70 pounds of fresh fish for our freezer.