DUCK & COVER — by Steve Nadis
Here’s a development, reported in the Boston Globe two days ago, that I find even more worrisome than someone piloting an aircraft while sleeping: More and more hunters are doing their hunting in suburban Boston, rather than traveling out to the wilderness, as was done in the past. The thought of rifle-toting hunters wandering around Greater Boston in search of quarry is unsettling to say the least, and there could certainly be a good movie in it somewhere. All I can say is that I’m glad I don’t live in the suburbs. And even if I did live in the suburbs, I’m glad I’m not a member of the local cross-country running team. If you are such a person, I’d recommend wearing orange (I hope that’s the right color!) and perhaps taking up a new hobby. Like prayer.
Posted by
at
20:09:02
This is truly unnerving. I couldn’t help but laugh at the cross-country running team warning, but all kidding aside they probably are in danger!
Scratching head inquiries:
Why do people hunt?
Why do people hunt nowadays?
Why do people hunt nowadays in the outskirts of a major US city?
Have they not heard of meat markets or avian flu?
Flubberwinkle,
The Eastern area of the US. (Not Coastal Eastern), Is a part of a mountain range. The deer are so bountiful there. I once saw a field with literally thousands of deer eating the new sprouts. Hunting is a part of the culture. The Department of Wildlife takes census readings and determines how many deer need to be killed off, and they hand out permits accordingly.
If there aren’t enough deer, then they distribute permits by lottery. Those years are few, but becoming more frequent. The deer population is being carefully cultivated, because honestly, there are too many. Every doe has 2 fawns every year. And those fawns are fertile after only 1 year old.
Just thought I’d let you know.
MsAmber
Again, it’s those gun toting NRA card carrying Republicans shooting around again. Why not load’em up on Air Force 1 with W, Cheney and crew and head’em over to Iraq to help the soldiers out? No wait, they’d be looking for the WMD.
Thank you Ms Amber for the quick responses to my questions. It is one of those rare times I hear of animal OVERpopulation in a specific area and I understand now why there are so many hunters. If things are done legitimately (census readings, deer control) by people, and deer can have sex and babies on their first birthdays, well, that explains a lot. Again thanks!
(Snake, sorry for taking up your comment space twice. Maybe you should consider sub-leasing).
How about suburban trap shooting, is that popular out there too?
Hey WFW, good to hear from ye’. Hello Doc, I haven’t heard of suburban trap shooting, but suburban crap shooting is definitely popular around these parts. Thanks FW for your excellent questions, and thanks Amber for your excellent answers. (Don’t feel bad about taking up two comment spaces, FW. Take as many as you want or need.)
I don’t understand the “challenge” in hunting. The deer can’t shoot back.
I don’t get it but then again that’s not my hobby. I play volleyball and when I’m not playing (most of the time, that is), I’m thinking about it.
But then again if you wear orange, they might mistake you for the elusive and rarely seen “Blue Hills tiger.”
Thanks Mike, I knew there was a reason I don’t wear orange.
zardoz says :
“I don’t understand the “challenge” in hunting. The deer can’t shoot back.
Written by: Oldroses at 2006/02/11 - 00:37:00 “
i had qyite a laygh with that one,
and then yesterday the news came out
about mr CHENEY , and then it struck me
if the the deer cant shoot back ,
shoot your hunting partner ,
he’s definetely has a rifle…RIGHT MR CHENEY.
=== ZARDOZ ===
Good point Z — there’ll be more on that later.