The color and type of fir that I see in coyote scat tell me that they are getting their share of squirrels. Humans are predators as well, assigned daily and seasonal bag limits to keep the game population in check and to be sure that sufficient numbers survive to repopulate an area by next hunting season.
In areas where hunting is restricted, animal populations often get out of control; the coyote being a good example of this. Few people hunt these predators and hunting is limited to contained areas. Coyotes are intelligent enough to have migrated where they can be on top of the food chain; your back yard. These animals and others have lost the fear of man. Instead of chasing field mice, they are snatching the neighborhood cats and on occasion human children. Hunters do the community a public service by keeping these populations under control while being under the management of the state's Department of Environmental Protection. State supervised Wildlife Management Areas remain wild due to the fees paid to the state by hunters through their purchase licenses, guns and ammo. Chances are good that if not for hunters, these areas would quickly become developed and much of the diversity of wildlife would disappear.
Like it or not the fact is that like most animals low on the food chain, squirrels are destined to die a violent death. It amazes me that so many people have the impression that without hunters the woods would be an Eden. Fir-filled coyote scat tells us differently, and a quick death by a hunter's bullet is merciful compared to being eaten alive by a predator. Hunting is a humane and important means of harvesting this game. It puts meat in the freezer and I for one prefer to see humans fed by these animals rather than seeing an exploding, overfed coyote and mountain lion population. It also generates tax dollars paid by those involved in the sport which supports wildlife and Wildlife Management Areas.
Hunting is an extremely safe sport and is healthy to the mind and spirit. There are few people who take the opportunity to commune with nature and God the way hunters do. Hunters don't simply pass through an area as one does while on a jog down a path or while riding an ATV through the woods. I am sometimes amazed that I know every odd branch, stick and flower that could be mistaken for what it is not. Hunters carefully study the landscape while hunting; constantly looking, studying, listening, smelling. The tiniest crack of a twig or the movement of a leaf is often enough to put ones senses on high alert. Hunters love and respect the wilderness and the game they hunt in a way that few others can. It is not just what we do, but instead, it is who we are and what we believe. It ties us to our nation's past. In a small way we become one with those who pioneered this land and hunted for food with their firearms. When we hunt and shoot we are honing our skills as members of the militia, which is our 2nd amendment right and duty. We become sharpshooters, trackers, survivalists, develop self-reliance and commune with our Maker. As the Bible teaches, the attributes of our God can be clearly seen in the natural world, and I relate that to the way that the mind of VanGogh can be seen in his creations, his paintings. And these things we pass onto our children.
We should be proud to be hunters, and never allow ourselves to be shamed by those who do not understand. As hunters we are not hurting nature. We are partners with it. Happy hunting!
Mike Adams of the Up North Journal podcast and author of 'Hooks and Bullets' asked me if he could post this article on his blog. It received some nice responses. Click HERE to read it.
