Alberta ban on spear hunting after American hunter kills black bear

[GuiltySpark]

Norm Gunter's take on it. For the record, I agree with Norm.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/16/hunters-still-need-to-respect-the-animal

I agree as well except with one caveat.

But my first objection to Bowmar’s choice of weapon is that a quick kill of as large an animal as a bear is almost impossible.

Hunters using rifles sometimes only wound, and their target can suffer a long while before the hunter is able to put it out of its misery. But the possibility of a quick kill is high with a rifle and high with a bow, but low with a spear.

I've seen this come up a lot in discussions about hunting and what is and is not humane. Quick kill, what happens when you would the animal as well as some typical off the wall #### like hunters don't need semi-autos they should just shoot better etc..

I'm willing to bet most people who start debating weapon choices and "quick kills" have no idea what baleful existence animals that are bread for food markets endure. I'm no PETA dude but the #### those animals go through is disgusting. I've seen people defend it saying they don't know any different/they were bred that way so it's okay - just stupid. Stabbing this bear with a spear is somehow worse than the conditions animals live in for years or whatever? I don't think so.

Seen the video. IMO this guy deserves the #### sandwich he made for himself. We live in a society where we try and one up each other with stupid behavior for youtube.

 

[windage]

I think there are more wounded and suffering animals out there from vehicle accidents then from actual hunting practices.

 

[accumark]

What troubles me most about Bowmar’s kill is the way he revels in the killing. There is no obvious appreciation or respect for the animal. And there should be!!!

for such a short youtube video I guess I missed something WTF do we know how he did or did not respect his kill off camera? To many people overthinking whatis none of their business!!

 

[accumark]

here is the point (qouted from Norm Gunter's toronto sun article link above)
What troubles me most about Bowmar’s kill is the way he revels in the killing. There is no obvious appreciation or respect for the animal. And there should b!e!!

for such a short youtube video I guess I missed something WTF do we know how he did or did not respect his kill off camera? To many people overthinking what is none of their business!!

 

[Big-boss-man]

What troubles me most about Bowmar’s kill is the way he revels in the killing. There is no obvious appreciation or respect for the animal. And there should be!!!

for such a short youtube video I guess I missed something WTF do we know how he did or did not respect his kill off camera? To many people overthinking what is none of their business!!

fyi the video I posted is a "redacted" the original video has been marked private, that is where the 200000+ people reacted. but you can see even in the short video how he is jumping around like a clown blah blah. It does show an obvious lack of respect. one of the best quotes I can remember is *slap*" what are you doing celebrating can't you see and animal just gave up its life there..........show some respect"

 

[Boomer]

Norm Gunter's take on it. For the record, I agree with Norm.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/16/hunters-still-need-to-respect-the-animal

I rather like Gunter's article, mostly because he spoke from the heart as a non-hunter who supports hunting. The point is that he was more disturbed by the baiting aspect of the hunt, and of the hunter's reaction to the kill, than he was by the means by which the bear was killed.

I get it. Back when I spent as much time as I could in the bush running around looking for blackies to shoot, I chose early on not to bait, and my success rate suffered accordingly. When I was successful, it couldn't be attributed to any skill other than mediocre field marksmanship, since the bears taken were not stalked but were simply targets of opportunity that appeared out of the thick bush within a shootable distance. The range was usually short, the action quick, and I don't recall but a single one shot stop, but then again, I continued to shoot as long as I had something to shoot at. Hunters shooting over a bait have the opportunity to take a good look at the bear, ensure it the trophy quality, and the time to make a careful humane shot. I never had those luxuries.

Now to the reaction of the hunter. Imagine if you can, a time when spears and clubs were the weapons of the day. Does it not seem reasonable that the hunter would have outwardly exalted in a successful kill, particularly the kill of a dangerous predator? The kill meant food and a skin that could be used for any number of products necessary to his survival. In addition, consider a hunter who acted alone, and had no help making the kill. In all probability, our ancestors would have set a deadfall trap for the bear, and used his spear ensure the bear was dead, before doing his happy dance, or whatever he'd have called it. Very few would have risked a face on confrontation with a dangerous animal, because it was not sport, and there was no advantage to doing so. But when it did happened, it made for a good story, and would have been taught to youngsters as an example of bravery, and something to embody and emulate.

This is the point, Anti-hunters always bemoan the fact that the game has no chance against a rifle, usually they say a scope sighted magnum rifle. They describe hunters as blood thirsty cowards who would be nothing without that big gun. Yet when they are brought face to face with the killing of an animal, at close range, with a primitive weapon, they are horrified. So its not about the choice of weapons at all, its all about squeamishness, and the sudden desire to find a happy place.

Outward demonstrations of happiness at the death of an animal are in some circles today viewed as distasteful, perhaps because we are taught, incorrectly, that killing is wrong, when in truth killing neutral in morality, the reason we kill determines the righteousness of the act. I tend to internalize my emotion at such times myself, but rather than right or wrong, maybe we should view such outward displays as simply different than our own.

 

[CV32]

I rather like Gunter's article, mostly because he spoke from the heart as a non-hunter who supports hunting. The point is that he was more disturbed by the baiting aspect of the hunt, and of the hunter's reaction to the kill, than he was by the means by which the bear was killed. I get it. Back when I spent as much time as I could in the bush running around looking for blackies to shoot, I chose early on not to bait, and my success rate suffered accordingly. When I was successful, it couldn't be attributed to any skill other than mediocre field marksmanship, since the bears taken were not stalked but were simply targets of opportunity that appeared out of the thick bush within a shootable distance. The range as usually short, the action quick, and I don't recall but a single one shot stop, but then again, I continued to shoot as long as I had something to shoot at. Hunters shooting over a bait have the opportunity to take a good look at the bear, ensure it is the trophy quality they seek, and the time to make a careful humane shot, I never did.

Now to the reaction of the hunter. Imagine if you can, a time when spears and clubs were the weapons of the day. Does it not seem reasonable that the hunter would have outwardly exalted in a successful kill, particularly the kill of a dangerous predator? The kill meant food and a skin that could be used for any number of products necessary to his survival. In addition, consider a hunter who acted alone, and had no help making the kill. In all probability, our ancestors would have set a deadfall trap for the bear, and used his spear ensure the bear was dead, before doing his happy dance, or whatever he'd have called it. Very few would have risked a face on confrontation with a dangerous animal, because it was not sport, and there was no advantage to doing so. But when it did happened, it made for a good story, and would have been taught to youngsters as an example of bravery, and something to embody and emulate. Outward demonstrations of happiness at the death of an animal are in some circles today viewed as distasteful, perhaps because we are taught, incorrectly, that killing is wrong, when in truth its neutral in morality, the reason we kill determines the righteousness of the act. I tend to internalize my emotion at such times myself, but rather than right or wrong, maybe we should simply view such outward displays as simply different than our own.

Well said.

 

[Boomer]

Well said.

You're too quick, the revision I think is better.

 

[rem31]

Most real hunters are just as appalled by such stupidity as non hunters. Their worst enemies are not PETA. They are nut bars like this guy.

 

[hoytcanon]

Most real hunters are just as appalled by such stupidity as non hunters. Their worst enemies are not PETA. They are nut bars like this guy.

I'm a "real hunter," I'm not appalled... I'm impressed.

Using a spear is not something that I would recommend... but only because there are so few hunters that would be dedicated enough to do the training and conditioning required to be lethally successful... this Bowmar guy did have the dedication... he did it the right way and well. His mistake was posting it on general social media, where the vast majority of people have been removed from the reality that they are part of the "food chain"... they are disassociated from making the connection between a T-bone steak on a Styrofoam tray and a cow munching grass in a green pasture.

 

[ratherbefishin]

So the guy killed a bear with a spear( just like our ancestors did)chances are this is not going to kick off a bunch of guys trying to spear bears,I don't know why they banned it ,other than to try to show the government is 'doing something'

Reminds me of the Washington natives insisting on their right to harpoon a grey whale a few years ago,which they did,made their point and haven't bothered since.

Personally ,I don't jump up and down when I kill an animal,mainly because I respect life.Theres absolutely nothing wrong with killing an animal but at the same time treating it with respect.when I make a clean shot,and the animal is clearly dying,I stand off a bit and let it die without being panicked by me approaching it...just my thing....often it's a good policy anyway,the animal doesn't try to get up and run off if you leave it alone

 

[Moon]

htt.p://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37099149

"It's extremely frustrating to me," he told the AP. "I didn't do anything illegal. The bear died very humanely. The truth is I honestly care more about animals and hunting than anybody could."

Mr Bowmar said the bear ran 55 metres (180 feet) before it died and argued that a spear was a more humane weapon than a bow, Reuters reported.

Wow, I really did not feel the need to reply to what I believed was a lawful hunt and have actually defended this guy (to a large degree) in public conversations but for the sake of all that is good, I hope Bowmar (a) never hunts again or (b) learns to keep his mouth shut and stay away from social media.

Seems like he just threw all bow hunters under the bus. United we stand? Go away Mr. Bowmar!

 

[MikeinCalgary]

htt.p://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37099149

"It's extremely frustrating to me," he told the AP. "I didn't do anything illegal. The bear died very humanely. The truth is I honestly care more about animals and hunting than anybody could."

Mr Bowmar said the bear ran 55 metres (180 feet) before it died and argued that a spear was a more humane weapon than a bow, Reuters reported.

Wow, I really did not feel the need to reply to what I believed was a lawful hunt and have actually defended this guy (to a large degree) in public conversations but for the sake of all that is good, I hope Bowmar (a) never hunts again or (b) learns to keep his mouth shut and stay away from social media.

Seems like he just threw all bow hunters under the bus. United we stand? Go away Mr. Bowmar!

Totally agree with this.

 

[jjohnwm]

Wow. Do we really need another thread on this topic? And one started by the same troll who so thoroughly #### all over the first one?

As I stated in the other thread, I'm hugely impressed by this hunt, the preparation and practice that went into it, and the balls it took to do it. His reaction wasn't to my taste, but it's a common one, and not necessarily indicative of his respect or lack of same for the animal.

Why don't the mods combine these two threads? I'm learning so much from all these never-done-it know-it-alls; it'd be handy to have this wealth of knowledge condensed into one easily accessed thread.

 

[Suputin]

You would think that the immediate negative reaction from over 200,000 members of the general public would be a wake up call to this supposed hunter and the knuckle draggers who support him. Most hunters are not thrill seekers out to prove something and those of us who have worked hard to promote safe, ethical and humane hunting practices are just as appalled by such stunts as the non hunting public. Tell this jackass and like minded individuals to go get a job in a slaughterhouse to get their kicks and come back if and when they ever grow up.

Well more than 200,000 Canadians think guns should be banned. Why haven't you cow-towed to their opinion and continue to own guns like only a knuckle dragger would?

Humans have hunted and killed in this manner for hundreds of thousands of years. Wanting to experience and understand history first hand is way more intelligent than blindly opposing something you don't understand.

I've been inside a slaughterhouse. Have you?

 

[Suputin]

Most real hunters are just as appalled by such stupidity as non hunters. Their worst enemies are not PETA. They are nut bars like this guy.

Actually, our worst enemies are those within our ranks proclaiming that only their chosen hunting method is "real" hunting. Do you use a high powered magnum rifle with a large magnification scope to hunt? Maybe only iron sighted rifles are "real" hunting. Centre fire magnums are too easy, maybe only a black powder muzzle loader is "real" hunting.

The moment you start moralizing other people's choices against yours, you have joined the ranks of the antis and may as well give it all up because in the end there are millions of people in this country who believe hunting is immoral and should be banned.

 

[Suputin]

htt.p://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37099149

"It's extremely frustrating to me," he told the AP. "I didn't do anything illegal. The bear died very humanely. The truth is I honestly care more about animals and hunting than anybody could."

Mr Bowmar said the bear ran 55 metres (180 feet) before it died and argued that a spear was a more humane weapon than a bow, Reuters reported.

Wow, I really did not feel the need to reply to what I believed was a lawful hunt and have actually defended this guy (to a large degree) in public conversations but for the sake of all that is good, I hope Bowmar (a) never hunts again or (b) learns to keep his mouth shut and stay away from social media.

Seems like he just threw all bow hunters under the bus. United we stand? Go away Mr. Bowmar!

Can you blame him? Pretty much every is trying to throw him under the bus. His point is that bow hunting is considered humane, clean etc and that his spear is a hell of a lot bigger than an arrow. The people you should be annoyed with are everyone else trying to demonize this guy. He is not your enemy.

 

[Moon]

Can you blame him? Pretty much every is trying to throw him under the bus. His point is that bow hunting is considered humane, clean etc and that his spear is a hell of a lot bigger than an arrow. The people you should be annoyed with are everyone else trying to demonize this guy. He is not your enemy.

Sorry Suputin… I respectfully disagree. I recognize that he has (likely because of his own self-promotion) suffered from “unpopular” opinion. His rationalization disrespects a significant portion of the hunting population and may lead to further scrutiny. Here’s how his comments play to me… in a linear fashion: Firearms are more humane than muzzle loaders – muzzle loaders are more humane than spears – spears are more humane than compound bows – compound bows are more humane than traditional bows – traditional bows are more humane than atlatls… and so on.

The public, in general, then gets to decide (on the information provided) that firearms are the most humane method of dispatching game and by dint of logic, the other methods are less humane… or are inhumane. B.S.!!!

All he has to say, and I think it would be widely accepted as true is that he was a former athlete that competed in the javelin throw. He continues to train and hone his skills throwing a spear. He sought and participated in a legal hunt using a spear for black bear and the proof of his skills and ethics is that he took an animal and killed it humanely.

He doesn’t need to muddy the waters proclaiming his method is superior or “more humane” to other legal hunting methods. If these are his true thoughts, then yes… he is my enemy. I can support hunting with a spear but I don’t have to support this particular individual.

I hope you can see where I am going with my comments.

 

[HeadDamage]

Perhaps we could stampede animals over a cliff to?

 

[Brutus]

Well said .... and the celebrating and face painting by the couple turned me off.

Yeah it is in very poor taste. The face painting (mask?) as if he was in Mexico celebrating the Day of the Dead really should not have been there IMO.

Very very tacky......