They should be happy hunters, farmed and fenced, you're guaranteed the animal you pay big for and in the time you can spare to hunt. Each to his own of course.

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:
They should be happy hunters.

I did make a point of the word "shooters" in the subject line.

quote:

Originally posted by gryphon1:

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:
They should be happy hunters.

I did make a point of the word "shooters" in the subject line.

Funnily enough I didn't take that much notice that you had used "shooters" in your post title but was thinking of using that term in my post however changed my mind to not appear too harsh.

I've shot many wild animals that have jumped fences into farmland and also many from vehicles and boats, all for money or meat, so don't put myself on a moral pedestal. I just find shooting and posing with very obvious fenced in farm bred trophies somewhat grating but if it floats their boat that's all that matters I suppose.

Its the absolutely unnatural monster antlers that give it all away.

quote:

Originally posted by gryphon1:
Its the absolutely unnatural monster antlers that give it all away.

That's very true and calling them elk is catering to the American market. Elk have always been called Wapiti here in NZ and their release and natural residing area has been Fiordland.
They can still be hunted in Fiordland under a DOC ballot system, the area being a real hunting mans environment. I can't recall all the details as to the whys and wherefores but some years ago as many Wapiti as could be live captured were removed from Fiordland and transferred to some specific farms.
I suspect it was to try and preserve the natural species as the red deer population that had grown to prolific proportions in Fiordland were interbreeding and pure Wapiti were in danger of being bred out.

I may have it wrong but I think the idea was to go hard out culling the red deer population and then reintroduce pure wapiti back into Fiordland again.

There are most of Banwells and others books in my shelves on the Waps in NZ. For years I have read and read them and have been in awe of the hunting tales and the super trophy heads.
I have said it forever that what the Gov did or didn't do has totally fucked it up. Yes sure blokes get down south and hunt big hybrids but even if they are big they are just boys compared to the monsters in the previously pure herd. The herd will never get back unless a new lot of blood is brought in from the US...or even Mongolia but thats simply dreaming.