When it comes to predators, the term “tooth and nail” has particular importance because it encapsulates the essence of predation. One definition suggests that it is an idiom meaning to fight or struggle with extreme ferocity and effort — a desperate struggle using all available resources, much like a wild animal fighting with its teeth and claws.
This is something to consider because if some of the predators we hunt are the alpha predators in their worlds, we are what might be considered the alpha-enhanced predators because we predate on them. Why is this important to think about? Because it goes to the heart of what we are and who we are. And that determines what we do and how we do it. One thing is certain: We are our purest selves when we are hunting predators, which means that actually getting out and going hunting is as important, or more important, than anything else we do.
Although that concept might be seen as being intuitive to some, it is something that doesn’t happen as often as some may wish, nor as often as it should for others. All kinds of good things happen when we hunt predators as regularly as possible. First, it’s fun and fulfilling. It would be a worthwhile endeavor if it ended there. But it doesn’t. The more we hunt, the more that all of those in our personal spheres of influence are (1) aware that we are hunting and (2) see predator hunting as a good thing to do.
Again, it would be worthwhile if it stopped there, but it doesn’t. Each of those in our personal spheres of influence also have their own spheres of influence, which means that the indirect effects of our hunting are like waves in a pond that radiate outward after a stone is thrown into the water. And the expanding waves keep expanding as the influences of those around us radiate outward.
This concept is a reality, whether we know it, or not — and whether we take advantage of it. Hence, it is important for us to be viewed realistically and as positive factors in society and as positive factors in nature. We are an integral part of sustainable use conservation of wildlife resources. After all, we ARE the good guys. We actually make a positive difference. So, there’s nothing wrong with letting the world know it and with being proud of who we are and what we do.
It helps the cause if all any of us does is to be ethical hunters and promote hunting within our own personal social spheres. But for those who want to take the next step, there are ways to have even more impact.
We can gang-up in the sense that we can join local, state, national or global organizations of hunters and shooters. Since the right to bear arms is crucial in hunting, likely organizations are those that fight for both the right to own arms and the freedom to hunt. Either type of organization can be a worthwhile investment in time, effort and money, and for those who are more committed, join and become active in both types. They all are like-minded hunters and shooters.
On the national front, firearm-focused organizations such as the National Rifle Association of America, Gun Owners of America and the Second Amendment Foundation come to mind. On the national and global front, Safari Club International is the big fish in that pond. All of these organizations have their own staff attorneys who represent shooters and hunters in courts, and both the NRA and SCI have lobbying arms at the state and national levels, while SCI also has lobbying arms globally. Anti-hunters are organized locally, nationally and globally, so it is only logical that hunters organize on all fronts, as well.
Think of it this way. If it had not been for the funds generated from hunters, successful wildlife conservation as we know it would not have happened. Sustainable use conservation has returned many species from dangerously low numbers to thriving populations. In other words, we can proudly take credit for having saved wild things in wild places. Sustainable use conservation means that when we conserve now, we can hunt forever because wildlife will always be there for us and for future generations. This becomes even more important as human presence and development around the world removes more and more of the wild places and the wildlife they hold.
Anti-hunters accomplish the opposite in that their perverted “preservation” approach results in wildlife having no perceived value, which means that nothing is done to assure healthy populations of wildlife, which leads to the disappearance of wildlife in wild places.
Bear in mind that the antis don’t do squat to save wildlife. They raise and spend huge sums of money to grow their presence and to whine about hunters and hunting. Think of it this way: While we are out hunting, they are in courts and legislatures, lobbying and suing to put us out of business. That’s why we need representatives in those arenas to fight for us. It can be counterintuitive for some folks to suggest that by hunting wildlife we are saving wildlife. The reality is that by supporting sustainable use and taking some individuals, we save the species.
In the end, we are on the right side, but as more and more of the world shifts from rural to urban, the more removed from nature more people are. And when it comes to managing wildlife, the animals can’t vote. People do, and if misinformed voters fall for the lies of the antis and vote for representatives and judges who have drank their Kool Aid, then the official governmental decisions will be for the antis and against us.
It can look like a complex matter, but in the end, it’s pretty simple. We can be active and assure a bright future for hunting, or we can sit on the sidelines and take it in the ear. The choice is ours. What we do now can and will determine the future of all hunting, not just predator hunting, although attacks by antis are especially virulent when it comes to hunting predators. In that sense, if we don’t take care of business, we will be the socially predated bunch rather than the predators. Think about it. Then do something.
