Hunting Germany

[Andy L]

I had the pleasure of spending a short time in camp with a German fellow last week. It was his first time in the states and his english was broken somewhat, but we communicated well, with some patience. Nice fellow.

I could not believe what you have to go through to go hunting in Germany. He showed me the book that you must study and take tests out of to get a license. It was unreal. He said it takes some up to a year to get a hunting license!! No going to Wally World and forkin over 20 bucks. Then, you have to qualify, it sounded like some pretty strict qualifying, with your weapons on the range!!

Then, he went through what all you had to do to get a place to hunt. Then, if you are lucky enough to get a license, place to hunt and actually kill an animal, you may not get to keep your game!! This is nuts!

I can see some good things. It would weed out ALOT of people that have no place hunting in the first place, but it seemed to me like it was a bit overboard. We talked about it quite a bit and it seems that maybe we could learn something from the Germans, but at the same time, maybe they could learn a bit from us too.

Pretty interesting.

Andy

[Darkwolf]

I suppose the difference is the ideals behind it all. In Europe, wild animals are considered chattel, personal property belonging to the landowner. In Canada and the US, the ancient Greek tradition of Democratic hunting is the tradition, with game being public property until rendered into possession by law.


The other consideration is that of privilige. Hunting was restricted to royalty over there... one of the first traditions to be discarded once colonists arrive anywhere outside of Europe.

The problem I really have is the idea of creating so many restrictions and costs as to essentially re-establish the concepts of hunting as something belonging only to the elite. Similar attitudes seem to be growing here, complementing anti-gun and anti-hunting attitudes quite nicely. High licence costs, endless permits, and legal strictures that exclude the average man from participation are a genuine threat, as they discourage new hunters from joining the ranks...

On the other hand, I really do appreciate the idea of mandatory safety training... But that's not the real point behind a year-long "Jager" apprenticeship is it?