A scientist from my home town now living in the US, Stephen Sumithran, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the Eastern Kentucky University, has come down heavily on Indian anti-hunting laws these days after the unrestricted hunting farce of the 1950s and 60s. The son of a leading environmentalist still living here, Dr P Sanjeeva Raj, Sumithran showed statistics from his Doctoral study funded by various sources like the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Smithsonian Institution, etc and also suggested a plan to protect the Nilgiris Tahr (in my home state again) drawing on research on the Big-Horned sheep in the US.

I can only hope that the dullheads who rule us listen to this man so that even if I can't hunt again, my children and grandchildren will be able to someday!

Mehul,

It's a good start and perhaps would take off more if citizens voiced their opinions.

Is there a fundamental oposition to the killing of animals in India? Or is the state(s) run by leftist environmentalists?

Two friends of mine (one from Chennai, the other from Hyderabad) are very interested in my hunting "exploits," and are enthralled by my pictures. They don't eat much meat at all, though, so say they aren't interested in hunting themselves.

Just wondering what the driving cause of anti-hunting is...

I'd love to hunt the Indian continent someday. I'm young...maybe it'll happen!

mehulkamdar

Great news , it seems like science goes forward and the anti hunting people are on the loosing end. Studies in Africa has proven that the best way to gain economic growth, increased animal population and prevent poaching is by controlled hunts. I hope that India will open up, Imagine what a treat hunting in India

Next step is to fix the gunlaws

P.S . I have lost your address and contact information due to a hard drive break down. I got the fact about S&L. Please send me a new mail.

/ JOHAN

[ 08-01-2003, 04:21: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

Ann,

Thanks for the good wishes - yes, there are more and more people speaking out though there is a lot of opposition of the PETA kind here.

Trademark Texan,

I live in Chennai and am frequently in Hyderabad - my family owns businesses in both places. Please ask your friends to get in touch with me - we can have a chin-wag at my club about the old days when hunting was permitted here!

Johan,

Yes, my friend, I hope sense will prevail in my land! Thanks for the S&L catalogue - I'll send you another e-mail shortly. I sent them a fax but there was no reply.

Good hunting to all of you and please wish us Indians the same!

For the chance to shoot peacocks (it's a very personal thing!) I'd pay for a business class seat. Go, Indian hunters, go!