11 yo Boy (Legally) Hunts and Kills Rare Deer, His Prize? A Facebook Flame War.


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You totally ignore Canada, which also has a strong hunting culture. At least once you're into Ontario and points west.

I haven't seen any articles about Canadian children posing with animals they've killed and would be just as critical of Canadian culture if that were the case. For what it's worth Britain has a tradition of fox-hunting that I considered equally distasteful, though culturally it's far more controversial than hunting in America or Canada.

 

 
That's what it is. We're not talking about people raising their own animals for food - this is about people who get enjoyment from hunting and killing animals. I consider that unacceptable, as do others considering the backlash.
 
 

Yes, I do. Animals that are reared for food are killed for sustenance, not entertainment.

 

 

 

Ok, so you find this more humane and appropriate than a boy hunting a deer?

 

 

Warning, NSFW:

 

 

 

 

 

There is nothing wrong with hunting for pleasure.  The only time it is a problem is when people waste the meat or do it illegally.

 

 

 

Deer are not endangered, nor are they rare. A genetic mishap does not count as a species I am afraid.

 

http://blog.nature.org/science/2013/08/22/too-many-deer/

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That's what it is. We're not talking about people raising their own animals for food - this is about people who get enjoyment from hunting and killing animals. I consider that unacceptable, as do others considering the backlash.
 
 

Yes, I do. Animals that are reared for food are killed for sustenance, not entertainment.

 

 

 

I just want you to think about that last part there. Its completely acceptable to breed an animal, with the sole purpose of it being slaughtered for human's benefit is absolutely ok? But to go out and hunt an animal and it's fate end the same (being eaten) is not ok?

 

Should we be outraged by Fishing too? Let's face it, it's a "sport", its entertaining to some and it typically ends with the animal being killed and eaten. Sure some people do release the animal but I don't have high expectations for that fish actually surviving for very long after what it went through.

 

I just find it crazy when people object with morals around hunting but will happily eat meat (unless of course you're a vegan in which case I would understand what your viewpoint). I get the whole question around the kid being 11 but I'm pretty much on the fence around that.

I haven't seen any articles about Canadian children posing with animals they've killed and would be just as critical of Canadian culture if that were the case. For what it's worth Britain has a tradition of fox-hunting that I considered equally distasteful, though culturally it's far more controversial than hunting in America or Canada.

So its not hunting you have issue with, its that it was a child?

 

Or is it that it was an American child, and it was with a gun?

 

 
That's what it is. We're not talking about people raising their own animals for food - this is about people who get enjoyment from hunting and killing animals. I consider that unacceptable, as do others considering the backlash.
 
 

Yes, I do. Animals that are reared for food are killed for sustenance, not entertainment.

 

 

So, you are ok with animals being caged for the sole purpose of being killed/ate later?  That is somehow more humane?  A caged animal vs one that has had years of freedom in the wild?

 

BTW...you know you eat the venison?  Deer jerky, deer steak, deer hamburger, deer chili....mmmmmm

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I haven't seen any articles about Canadian children posing with animals they've killed and would be just as critical of Canadian culture if that were the case. For what it's worth Britain has a tradition of fox-hunting that I considered equally distasteful, though culturally it's far more controversial than hunting in America or Canada.

You don't eat fox. We eat our game. As far as Canada goes, they start offering hunting classes at age 12.

So, you are ok with animals being caged for the sole purpose of being killed/ate later?  That is somehow more humane?  A caged animal vs one that has had years of freedom in the wild?

 

BTW...you know you eat the venison?  Deer jerky, deer steak, deer hamburger, deer chili....mmmmmm

Oh man, deer jerky.

 

 

So good.

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I just want you to think about that last part there. Its completely acceptable to breed an animal, with the sole purpose of it being slaughtered for human's benefit is absolutely ok? But to go out and hunt an animal and it's fate end the same (being eaten) is not ok?

 

Should we be outraged by Fishing too? Let's face it, it's a "sport", its entertaining to some and it typically ends with the animal being killed and eaten. Sure some people do release the animal but I don't have high expectations for that fish actually surviving for very long after what it went through.

I object to fishing for sport. As for killing animals for food, I object to the concept but accept it as necessary until we can come up with artificial alternatives. As soon as we can produce meat without having to kill animals?something that is being worked on?we should transition to that.

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I object to fishing for sport. As for killing animals for food, I object to the concept but accept it as necessary until we can come up with artificial alternatives. As soon as we can produce meat without having to kill animals?something that is being worked on?we should transition to that.

 

Do you not find that a little hypocritical though? I morally object to animals being caged up, bred for our own sustenance but will continue to consume the products of such things thus keeping the trade I object to alive? Like I said, if you were a Vegan or something I could understand you having these beliefs. 

 

I honestly don't understand how anyone can say they don't agree to something but are very much a part of the thing they don't agree with.

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So its not hunting you have issue with, its that it was a child?

 

Or is it that it was an American child, and it was with a gun?

 

He wasn't even using a gun, he was using a crossbow. It's shown right in the picture on the first page.

Do you not find that a little hypocritical though? I morally object to animals being caged up, bred for our own sustenance but will continue to consume the products of such things thus keeping the trade I object to alive? Like I said, if you were a Vegan or something I could understand you having these beliefs.

I honestly don't understand how anyone can say they don't agree to something but are very much a part of the thing they don't agree with.

Like a lot of other people, he's willing to eat meat so long as he has no part in getting it dead and to the fridge. We make the kill and butcher ours which IMO is more honest, and if a widespread disaster hits guess who'll survive?

Like a lot of other people, he's willing to eat meat so long as he has no part in getting it dead and to the fridge. We make the kill and butcher ours which IMO is more honest, and if a widespread disaster hits guess who'll survive?

THIS^

 

When the Zombie Apcoalypse happens, this 11 yo kid will stand a better chance of surviving then I will :p

With between 2 and 3 million deer in the state every year (does have twins and reproduce like rabbits with 6-7 does for every buck), population control for all of them is essential because such a large herd is beyond the ability of predators to control, especially in urban, suburban and near-rural areas that predators usually avoid.

Besides stripping farmer fields and gardens like 4 legged harvesting machines, deer also cause about 60,000 auto accidents a year in Michigan - including accidents with human fatalities - in both the cities and country. They'll march right into heavily populated areas an in front of vehicles. Everywhere from rural roads to city freeways, and our deer can easily exceed 200 lbs - some going well over 300 lbs. Imagine hitting that at 60 mph.

As to albino deer, they make up a small population because as youngsters they're easier for predators to target and rarely survive to adulthood. Most all of out wildlife biologists advise against protecting them as it weakens the herd by spreading recessive genes (albinism isn't the only one.)

Another problem with deer is our harsh winters. Many deer die from starvation during a harsh winter, and too many survive during mild winters causing big die-offs the next harsh winter. I've been in the field during these die-offs and it isn't pretty.

Because of the die-offs, predators avoiding populated areas and deer being quite willing to come into them, the best way to control their population is hunting to cull the herd. Hunters further into rural areas use firearms, but a large number use bows, or crossbones as this youngster did. Handicappers frequently use crossbones to hunt.

And for the record; Michigan has no minimum hunting age, but those under 12 must have a "mentor hunter" with them to supervise.

Hunters pay for their licenses, thus providing funds for other wildlife management projects, eat the meat (venison is very tasty) and provide winter incomes to rural areas that otherwise have little.

There is too much people on earth and most are jerks, should we go killing them too? Nature will look after itself. No one needs to go and kill animals, becuase you think theres too much.

 

As long as the family used the meat, and didnt just dispose of it, then its fine with me. But if they just let it rot, then I find it sick, that people enjoy this sort of thing.

I object to fishing for sport. As for killing animals for food, I object to the concept but accept it as necessary until we can come up with artificial alternatives. As soon as we can produce meat without having to kill animals?something that is being worked on?we should transition to that.

 

That sounds so unappealing on so many different levels.

>

When the Zombie Apcoalypse happens, this 11 yo kid will stand a better chance of surviving then I will :p

Probably ;)

About every kid in this family has some level of survival training; from camping, fire starting, hunting, trapping and fishing to finding wild veggies, tubers & fruits. Including how to fashion weapons from wood, flint etc.

Are you ok with someone fishing?

 

Like I said... it makes me a hypocrite.

 

I agree with theyarecomingforyou on this... as soon as 'grown meat' is a common thing, I'll stop eating real meat.

You are seriously mistaken if you think hunting in the UK is anywhere near as popular or widespread as it is in the US.

 

* Edited to avoid any implication I was trying to divert the discussion.

 

Based on percentage of population, you're probably right, there's probably more hunting in the UK.

Like I said... it makes me a hypocrite.

 

I agree with theyarecomingforyou on this... as soon as 'grown meat' is a common thing, I'll stop eating real meat.

 

Grown meat when we can mass produce it, is by it's nature bland and tasteless. Just like wild meat has a completely different taste to domestic meat, even if it's the same animal.

 

And even then we still need to hunt for animal control, are we just supposed to throw that away then?

 

 
 

Yes, I do. Animals that are reared for food are killed for sustenance, not entertainment.

 

 

 

What animal do you think has the best life, the domestic farms animal or the wild animal that was shot and died without knowing what was happening while wandering in the wild ?

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In this age, he should be playing "Deer Hunter" online.

 

That is absolutely one of the dumbest comments I've ever read and exactly what is wrong with kids now a days! Man, am I glad you didn't get the chance to be my parent!

 

Granted,

Most older deer hunters would've let this one go, but this was a kid on one of his first hunts. I can just imagine the adrenaline he had running through him.

 

I'm from Michigan and saw this on the local news. Although it does bum me out he shot it, he did nothing illegal or immoral and the family said they will use the meat, so nothing is wasted or wrong with this picture!

 

I can't believe all the hoopla, and ignorance, I've seen on several sites about this.

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He wasn't even using a gun, he was using a crossbow. It's shown right in the picture on the first page.

Ah, my bad.  I read the article and still missed that.

 

 

So why did theyarecomingforyou bring up guns in this thread?

Hunting is in our genes. However, hunting for food, cloth or protection and not for sport.

All the hunters I know eat what they kill for sport, so I fail to see the issue.

 

What animal do you think has the best life, the domestic farms animal or the wild animal that was shot and died without knowing what was happening while wandering in the wild ?

 

In the end it doesn't matter which one had the better life. If it's for food or for sport, they wouldn't care either way.

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