Hunting is a sport to many and a way of survival to some. Personally I have enjoyed many years of hunting here in Northern Michigan and I have hunted Deer, small game, Turkey, and on occasion have been indirectly involved in Bear hunts although I have never killed one. I do not believe there is anything wrong with hunting or owning guns, it is all about responsibility and what we do with it. Some people would disagree and say it is cruel, to them I would say prove it. I believe that animals were put here for our use. They are here for us to enjoy the natural beauty of as well as for food. We happen to be at the top of the food chain and that is just the way it is. For those of you that do not want the responsibility of being at the top of the food chain and wish you were something other than a normal human being don’t worry, you probably are not a normal human being. As for responsibility, I believe that hunting is not just alright but I believe it is the responsible thing to do. Hunting is not just a sport or something we do for food; it is part of animal or wildlife management. We are helping the species as a whole survive through hunting just as we are when we plant feed plots.

Something I have never done is hunt big game such as what is termed the Big Five. This is hunting primarily in Africa for Elephant, Cape buffalo, Rhinoceros, Lion, and Leopard. These animals are not called the big five because of their size although they are all quite large. They are considered the big five because they are considered the five most dangerous animals to hunt. If it were based merely on size Hippos would be on the list and they are not.

This brings me to the point of this hunting story.  I was watching a show today about a family, husband and wife, that travel the world hunting for that perfect trophy that they seem to never find and it lead them to Africa on a Cape buffalo hunt.  Keep in mind this is called hunting and not shooting so it is never completely established who the hunter and who the hunted actually is until the hunt is over.

While tracking a Buffalo for several hours they became bored and easily side tracked as anyone would and they were caught by surprise when this one ton beast of a Buffalo charged out of the brush.  Before they could react the wife of the duo was hit and knocked to the ground.  She was gored and trampled for what must have seemed like hours before being thrown through the air landing motionless several yards away.  Her husband, by now gaining his composure and thinking she was dead, shot and killed the Buffalo.  Personally I think it was cool that the animal got its licks in before it died.  As I said earlier I support hunting and I do not think it is a cruel or inhumane thing.  I also do not feel sorry for the hunter on the rare occasion that something like this happens.  They are very aware of the risk and for them the hunt is worth the possible cost.  In this case the woman lived and I am happy for her but had she died I would not feel sorry for her.