For those of you who don't know, I work in a gun store. A gentelman came in to buy a firearm and he had a very heavy accent. I review his 4473 form and find out he is from Kyrzystan. I, being of moderate income and lofty goals, know a little bit about the hunting opportunities there and strike up a conversation about the hunting in his homeland.
He proceeds to tell me about his "hunting" exploits. It seems when Kyrgystan seperated from Russia most people were left in utter poverty. No jobs, period. After selling all of his possessions for money to buy food, he turned to the next alternative, the local wildlife. He said they shot all kinds of Ibex and Marco Polo sheep along with droves of wild boar.
Not being allowed to own a rifle, he says everybody hunts with shotguns. Imagine that one for a moment, hunting Ibex and Marco Polo sheep at 4000 meters elevation with a 16 gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot and slugs. Ouch. Forty yards was a maximum range. I asked him about licenses and tags and he just laughed. He said they would hunt for periods of over a month in duration, either salting the meat for resale or just letting it freeze if it was cold enough. I can't help but think how much this reminds me of some African countries. Apparently, in some places, the wildlife still don't stand a chance.
Then, I look at the gun he is buying, a semi-automatic .308. I absolutely cringe at the thought of him continuing his "hunting" here. I try to believe the best in people but it was a really awkward feeling.

The mental and physical approach to subsistence hunting for survival is something few Americans ever have, or ever will have, any understanding of. I shudder to think how the wildlife would fare here if we ever got hungry, as a country.

Your kryzystan (spelling?) acquaintance has seen what the food chain is all about.

Interesting report, and I thank you for sharing the reality of hunger. As I sit here bloated from a dinner of excellent shrimp from teh gulf of Mexico, I just think how blessed we are in these times of plenty.

Jameister

We are really soft compared to those people.

Yes, how lucky we are.

Coyoteslayer,
It might just be me but I sense a bit of conflict in your post. On one hand a bit of admiration for the man's ability to subsist. On the other hand a hint of censure that he would do this by hunting wild game perhaps in contravention of the law.
Understand this, when a man is hungry enough or poor enough there is no law. In many places people must "poach" because there is no viable alternative unless you consider begging to be an alternative.
At the same time it is entirely likely that in this country the man will hunt according to the rules. Just as likely as for many of the native born hunters out there.
I think that is much better that one hunts for subsistence than to sit in a compound as a refugee hoping for scraps. These people are real world tough! Regards, Bill.