'Hunter Gray' hunterbadbear@hunterbear.org [marxist]
2014-07-04 19:17:05 UTC
----- Original Message -----
From: lovecraftian@
To: ***@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2014 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Redbadbear] Regarding firearms -- but mostly hunting
Interesting coincidence, just a few days ago, I was looking at the preliminary draft of a study on the future of hunting and its economic impact in northern New Hampshire. The report was basically grim reading for local outfitters, hunting lodge operators, and anyone else who livelihood is connected to hunting. For northern New England, traditionally, trophy deer hunting has been the most economically important form of hunting. It is also the form that has declined most rapidly, and all indicators point to continued decline. On the bright side, there has been increased interest in moose hunting, and northern New Hampshire is especially well-situated to exploit that interest. Natural variations in moose populations limit the prospects for any major increase in the moose harvest. In any case, it's not plausible that moose hunting could every compensate for the decline in deer hunting. Also, there has been a modest increase in specialized types of hunting, black powder, bow, and crossbow hunting. These specialized hunters tend to be more dedicated, more affluent, and to spend more money on gear. Still, it's not realistic to expect them to make up for the overall decline. On the other hand, other kinds of outdoor recreation tourism continue to thrive in the North Country, hiking and camping, snowmobiling, ATV's. The report recommended that local business emphasize those areas. I don't know how representative northern New Hampshire is of other areas in which hunting has traditionally been a major part of the economy. I suspect, overall the situation is very similar in most places.
I haven't followed the Facebook matter, It seems to be revealing of a certain cultural change. The decline in hunting has been long-standing, as our society (and other Western nations) has become more urban. Up until recently though, there was little of an organized anti-hunting movement in the States. (Britain has long had a very active anti "blood sports" movement, but there the political dimensions are very different.) Now, non-hunters are far more likely to be anti-hunters. That's partly a matter, I think, of the rise of the "animal rights" movement. It's also, I believe, a reflection of how the Internet encourages a kind of reflexive sentimentalism and simplification.
KH
From: lovecraftian@
To: ***@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2014 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Redbadbear] Regarding firearms -- but mostly hunting
Interesting coincidence, just a few days ago, I was looking at the preliminary draft of a study on the future of hunting and its economic impact in northern New Hampshire. The report was basically grim reading for local outfitters, hunting lodge operators, and anyone else who livelihood is connected to hunting. For northern New England, traditionally, trophy deer hunting has been the most economically important form of hunting. It is also the form that has declined most rapidly, and all indicators point to continued decline. On the bright side, there has been increased interest in moose hunting, and northern New Hampshire is especially well-situated to exploit that interest. Natural variations in moose populations limit the prospects for any major increase in the moose harvest. In any case, it's not plausible that moose hunting could every compensate for the decline in deer hunting. Also, there has been a modest increase in specialized types of hunting, black powder, bow, and crossbow hunting. These specialized hunters tend to be more dedicated, more affluent, and to spend more money on gear. Still, it's not realistic to expect them to make up for the overall decline. On the other hand, other kinds of outdoor recreation tourism continue to thrive in the North Country, hiking and camping, snowmobiling, ATV's. The report recommended that local business emphasize those areas. I don't know how representative northern New Hampshire is of other areas in which hunting has traditionally been a major part of the economy. I suspect, overall the situation is very similar in most places.
I haven't followed the Facebook matter, It seems to be revealing of a certain cultural change. The decline in hunting has been long-standing, as our society (and other Western nations) has become more urban. Up until recently though, there was little of an organized anti-hunting movement in the States. (Britain has long had a very active anti "blood sports" movement, but there the political dimensions are very different.) Now, non-hunters are far more likely to be anti-hunters. That's partly a matter, I think, of the rise of the "animal rights" movement. It's also, I believe, a reflection of how the Internet encourages a kind of reflexive sentimentalism and simplification.
KH