Hunting to me is much more about wild places, wildness, and wildlife. The plastic and metal slung over my shoulder is a tool of hunting, but the places I hunt are paramount.
I am certainly pro-gun and always have been, but I absolutely have not bought into the constant fear-mongering from the NRA that someone, somehow is trying to take 350,000,000 guns from law-abiding citizens. They've been fighting the War On Drugs for 50 years. How's that going?
Sure, the NRAs threats raise their donations (look at their finances after Sandy Hook), but some people pat themselves on the back a little too hard over their $35 dues and the constant "surveys" that always include "suggested donations" on the last page.
"Habitat loss and land access are the leading causes of less hunters afield," (Realree.com). Right now, virtually all Americans support gun-ownership of sporting arms typically used for hunting. When hunting is gone with the land, even that argument loses water. I could argue the best way to protect guns is to promote hunting, and therefore their lawful use, by as many people as possible.
As soon as NRA works in favor of hunting, and not just lip-service while supporting candidates that are trying to take public lands, I'll renew my membership.
Grizzly
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"This is a classic case of a handful of greedy fly fishermen getting too greedy." -Don Peay, Founder of SFW, as told to KUTV
"It's time to revisit the widely accepted principle in the United States and Canada that game is a public resource."
-Don Peay, Founder of SFW, as quoted in Anchorage Daily News