[LilyPadFrog]

I trapped couple for depredation issues at my former job. Couldn't keep them under our take permit. Once I retire I'll trap one to make a back quiver to go along with the rattlesnake backed bow I made for my son for Christmas when I was broke as F and couldn't afford store bought presents. Smart critters. Nice work 👍

Predation. Yeah, predation! Damn critters eating other critters to stay alive! We're men, aren't we? We have guns don't we? Kill, for gosh sake! Damned playful entertaining otters anyway!

 

[LilyPadFrog]

HawgBoss,

You're a little hasty (and incorrect) with your judgement that I "must not be a hunter".
I eat meat, ...but don't kill living creatures that I am not going to eat. Does the otter hunter eat otters? ...or just want a fuzzy quiver? Given the relative infrequency of otter sightings compared to more plentiful species, my inclination is to let them go about their business. FWIW, I grant the same consideration to rattlesnakes, and other not-cute-or-playful wildlife.

Genuine respect for wildlife acknowledges their right to exist apart from any usefulness to me (or you).
If I decide to take a life, for some specific need( food/livestock/pet/self protection), I hope that I will do so giving full consideration to species numbers, and "clean" killing. As I have matured I have shifted more to photography, shooting things in a manner that lets us both survive our encounter, while still testing my stalking skills, woods lore, etc.

I have lived through the "dwindling" of any number or species, in my 82 years, and have no patience when reading accounts ( for example) of individuals bragging of killing ( literally ) hundreds of squirrels "other-ized" as tree rats. One such report described the "hunter" shooting (his 500 squirrels) seated from his kitchen window ...a real Daniel Boone. I'm sure he ate half the harvest, no? and skinned and cleaned the rest to give to the orphanage. If you doubt what I say, spend some time in some airgun blogs!

The saying goes that when all you have is a hammer, ...everything looks like a nail.
For some who have firearms, ...everything looks like a target.

I'm well aware that some will feel themselves "attacked" by what I have written. I suggest that no one wear any shoes that do not fit. I know there are still responsible, thoughtful sportsman among the
shooting fraternity. But the numbers of slob hunters are growing.