'Hunting' in the Park

[Nonoluna]

Yesterday at the park, I noticed a couple of older boys doing something peculiar. They both had a couple of larger sticks and were holding them like spears. Then they started stalking some squirrels. Before they had a chance to throw the sticks, I yelled out and they turned to look at me. I told them not to bother the squirrels. The bigger of the two asked why and I responded that it was cruel - if they want to hunt, they need to learn how to properly. They put down the sticks and left. Maybe they found another park to do the same thing in but I seriously hope not.

Their behaviour was sickening. What kinds of things have these kids seen to want to hurt squirrels like that? Did they miss the connection between their actions and cruelty? Was it just a game or was the intention to harm?

Then I thought about my comment about learning to hunt properly. I can not dissociate 'sport' hunting and cruelty because it involves killing for fun. For any of you that do, why do you hunt? I'm not completely against hunting but every time someone says that it's fun, I wonder about humanity.

[CelticMom82]

Nov. 22, 2009 at 10:30 AM

I haven't been hunting for a few years but when I did it was for food. I didn't do small game it was always deer. When I say hunting was fun it isn't the shooting of the animal that was fun. What was fun was getting together with friends and family at deer camp every year.

[Lb128f]

Nov. 22, 2009 at 11:01 AM

We don't "hunt" and I wouldn't. I know lots of people do...I couldn't just "kill" for the sport of it. ;(