Government wants kids to get hunting

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - The citizens of Alberta just aren't going after big game at the pace they once did, according to the government of the western Canadian province, but a remedy is in the works.

The province has designated September 22 as its first "Hunting Day," an attempt to lure the video-game generation off the couch and into the great outdoors.

Ted Morton, the province's Minister of Sustainable Resource Development -- and an avid hunter -- said a generation is being lost to television, computers and shopping malls.

"Hunting is more fun (than video games) and a lot healthier," he said.

Over the past 25 years, Morton said, the number of hunters tramping the province's wilds has dropped by half to around 100,000. And while hunters are a small fraction of Alberta's 3.3 million citizens, Morton said they are part of a tradition that should carry some weight.

"Hunting is obviously part of Alberta's western heritage and we think it is worth celebrating," the minister told Reuters.

Morton's department said the benefits of hunting include cutting the number of vehicles damaged in collisions with deer and other game, reducing crop damage from grazing deer and elk and slowing the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer.

As well, hunters are often leaders in preserving wildlife habit and natural areas, he said.

Despite that, at least one animal-rights group doubts Alberta's efforts will turn kids into hunters or reverse the long-term decline of the sport in the province.

Hunting Day "is not going to change people's minds about why they have stopped hunting," said Stephanie Boyles, a wildlife biologist at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

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[MissStacey 1]

To hunt deer in Alberta- your name has to be picked in order to get your deer hunting license. Not everyone who wants to hunt deer can. If deer are causing so many problems- why do they only allow so many deer licenses per season?

When I was in grade 7- I had to take Hunter Education. If you weren't in Band, that was your only choice. I don't know if that course is still offered. I learned some interesting things but I would never want to hunt.

Edited September 21, 2007 by Stacey33

[Caladan 19]

"omgwtf canada wants kids to pick up guns!"

This really shouldn't surprise you. Canada already has a gun culture. It's different from that of the United States. Having no second Amendment changes the dialogue a lot. And there isn't nearly as much emphasis on handguns or the need to protect yourself in your gated subdivision.

But C. grew up in Alberta shooting gophers (because otherwise they dig holes that can break horses' ankles), and hunting is pretty common. While we were apart there were several times where he had to go because some friends were cleaning deer in the garage.

Stacey, I don't know why they just don't allow more licenses, but it might be a case of trying to balance hunting with what the conservationists recommend for a stable population. Pennsylvania, where I grew up, started a conservation/hunting program back in the late eighties because we only had 800,000 deer left. A few years later we had 3 million and they introduced a week of bow hunting.

[MissStacey 1]

I ran over a gopher once with my car. I didn't meant to- he ran out in front in me.

I'm a gopher killer.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

I ran over a gopher once with my car. I didn't meant to- he ran out in front in me.

I'm a gopher killer.

stacy, i want you to kill all the golfers

[MissStacey 1]

I ran over a gopher once with my car. I didn't meant to- he ran out in front in me.

I'm a gopher killer.

stacy, i want you to kill all the golfers

I could go Nutria hunting here in Louisiana. It is encouraged. They were introduced here and cause alot of problems.

Some folks think they are good eatin! Ewwww.

Edited September 21, 2007 by Stacey33

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

I ran over a gopher once with my car. I didn't meant to- he ran out in front in me.

I'm a gopher killer.

stacy, i want you to kill all the golfers

I could go Nutria hunting here in Louisiana. It is encouraged. They were introduced here and cause alot of problems.

a .22 short should do nicely

[MissStacey 1]

I ran over a gopher once with my car. I didn't meant to- he ran out in front in me.

I'm a gopher killer.

stacy, i want you to kill all the golfers

I could go Nutria hunting here in Louisiana. It is encouraged. They were introduced here and cause alot of problems.

a .22 short should do nicely

The Sheriff here will round up his boys and they hit the Canals and start shootin.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

I ran over a gopher once with my car. I didn't meant to- he ran out in front in me.

I'm a gopher killer.

stacy, i want you to kill all the golfers

I could go Nutria hunting here in Louisiana. It is encouraged. They were introduced here and cause alot of problems.

a .22 short should do nicely

The Sheriff here will round up his boys and they hit the Canals and start shootin.

followed by a bbq afterward?

[Jasman0717 9]

I used to go hunting......can't imagine how I did that

[Reba 2]

omgwtf canada wants kids to pick up guns!

And American kids never go hunting?

[DeadPoolX 9]

omgwtf canada wants kids to pick up guns!

And American kids never go hunting?

Sure they do. I think the apparent "shock" here is over the assumption that Canadians don't even know what a firearm looks like.

Of course, that's just silly. Plenty of people hunt in Canada. I know some people (Americans) who travel to Canada for the express purpose of hunting. Even beyond hunting, there are criminals with firearms in Canada as well! I know -- Canada doesn't permit citizens to own guns legally, right? Well, even my Canadian fiancee says that doesn't stop many criminals (who acquire their guns illegally) from having and sometimes using them.

Besides... I once saw a place in West Edmonton Mall that allows customers to shoot firearms. This is a store inside the mall. I'm a Texan and even I think this is crazy! Oh well. To each their own. I guess they have some very tight security around that location or something.

[Reba 2]

um...yes, Canada does in fact allow personal fire arm possession and ownership. You just can't buy 'em at Wal Mart like you can here in the US.

Per - capita, Canadians own just as many guns as Americans do. They just tend to use them differently and have different views toward them.

My Uncle has quite a large collection, as does my ex. Both hunting rifles and hand guns. Some are legal, others are not. Handguns are regulated by size basically. Smaller weapons, like a Lady Smith, which are easily concealed are illegal. Handguns with a barrel over 9 inches long (IIRC) are illegal, except for with special permit, usally to law enforcement. However, "regular size" handguns are perfectly legal to own, with a permit. Hunting rifles are perfectly legal to own. However, unlike in the US, semi-automatic and automatic assault rifles are not. Except by special permit for law enforcement.

My Mother is quite a good shot with a rifle she's told me. My Grandfather was a cop, and used to take her to the shooting range when she was a girl.

My ex, as mentioned, has/had quite a collection. A few antique collectibles, as well as some really nice shiny handguns for competition shooting. And all of them he owns legally, and they're all registered and he's certified to own weapons. Unless he's lost his certification because of illegal activity, which with him is very likely. He's a coke-head.

He'd be jealous of the collection I've amassed since I got to the US though

[cmartyn 0]

lol, and there isn’t a shooting range every 1/2 mile in the middle of populated areas where the "right" to shoot and be as inconsiderate and annoying as possible outweighs the right to quiet enjoyment by surrounding property owners.

"Hyuck Hector, Lets go blow some cans off a rock with the 50 cal this afternoon, Sure Bubs Ill go warm up the truck”

Well, I bet if that dialog takes place in Canada, its most likely in Alberta where this story centers from.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

omgwtf canada wants kids to pick up guns!

And American kids never go hunting?

got my first gun (remington 1100 12 gauge) when i was 9, was hunting when i was 12, nra hunter safety course qualified at 11