As you can see, the two birds in these pictures are an owl and a hawk. They are beautiful animals, and as far as I know, are NOT on any "I can shoot this" list.

Unfortunately, they DO get shot. Nik and I used to volunteer for a wildlife rehabilitator, and one day her husband, Brian, had to hold onto an owl as the woman slowly picked out lead from under it's wing. The flesh around the wound was already starting to turn green, and, of course, it died soon after.

This bird had been shot deliberately.

It's hunting season for several different animals out there. Now before you hunters get all pissy about this, I am not against hunting. It is a necessity. It's SUPPOSED to be for food and clothing. It helps keep the population in check. Any good hunter is careful, doesn't abuse his power behind a gun or bow, and is humane about it.

Of course, there's also the Bubba. He's the one who thinks that his "right to bare arms" gives him the right to be stupid. Maybe he actually learns to use his gun before going out there, or he believes he can do it without any help.

I think it is your duty to learn...become certified even, before going out and shooting that gun. Don't give me any crap about a rights violation. Just like driving a car, you should learn how to shoot...how to take care of your gun or rifle or whatever you have.

Once I took Fed out to Sandridge State Forest. As we walked into the trees, I found two spent cartridges. I called him back and went back to the truck, calling the conservation police. He seemed surprised I had called...didn't I know it was hunting season (for rabbit, I think)..NO. So I asked him why there weren't any signs posted...you know...HUNTING SEASON...NOW...WHILE YOU STAND HERE...YOU DUMBASS NON-HUNTER...

Silly me...apparently I'm supposed to know this stuff...I guess like those Gomers that are supposed to know how to use a weapon automatically...(through osmosis, maybe?) Personally, if some asshole is going to litter the ground with his cartridges, he really doesn't have much respect for his surroundings, so why should he be careful about people being out and about...or a dog...or the horseback riders that have their own campground nearby, not to mention the fact that they are out and about, also.

Maybe someone can tell me how the guy over there in brown is in brown and not orange? Shouldn't he be..in orange?

So maybe I'm being a tree hugging, gun hating liberal...no...I just think people should be more responsible. Too many aren't...besides, it gives the responsible hunters out there a bad rap...just like the bad cop or the bad politician...oh wait, maybe I shouldn't use that one...

As for the poachers out there...the ones who think it's ok, sporting, even, to slaughter illegally, whether it be too many, or out of season, with nets and traps and whatever else you use that is inhumane, if it's something exotic and you kill for the "fun" of it, or to make money on the black market, that doesn't make you a hunter...that makes you a dick...an asshole...a worthless piece of shit. If you are so stupid as to not to be able to tell the difference between a hawk and a goose or a duck, get a book that will help you identify things. Dumbass.

posted by Wanting at 8:32 AM