I've got grouse, snowshoe hare and the odd partridge living behind my house. I'm also a very active hunter. That said, I wouldn't think about shooting any of the game on my property (covers about 7 acres of conifers with some open areas) I get a kick out of watching the bunnies hopping around my back lawn, munching grass, while my poor beagles freak-out at the rabbits running around in front of them, just out of reach. Hard on the dogs, but the bunnies have never been hunted, have no fear of me and other than being really noisy, simply ignore the beagles. I've also got tons of ruffed grouse. They walk across my paved driveway all the time. Gorge on cherries and dogberries in my trees and even hit the bird feeder now and again.
Watching them, can really relax you. They certainly bring me pleasure, so there is no way I'd shoot them. I think your hunting buddy was out of line, even if the birds happened onto his property as well. Chances are he knew that the birds were favorites of your kids and yet he still dropped the hammer.
I wouldn't have gone off on him, but I would've asked him to refrain from killing any other wildlife in the area...making the point that there is lots of game elsewhere, so why not appreciate the small pleasure observing these animals bring you and your kids?
Watching them, can really relax you. They certainly bring me pleasure, so there is no way I'd shoot them. I think your hunting buddy was out of line, even if the birds happened onto his property as well. Chances are he knew that the birds were favorites of your kids and yet he still dropped the hammer.
I wouldn't have gone off on him, but I would've asked him to refrain from killing any other wildlife in the area...making the point that there is lots of game elsewhere, so why not appreciate the small pleasure observing these animals bring you and your kids?