From the Zogby poll #4

In reading the zogby survey in another thread, it became clear that theres too many questions to discuss them all in one thread.

This one seems pertinent to J/PS:
http://client.xntec.com/clientpages/oleary/report0104.html


"Which of the following statements comes closer to your opinion? Statement A: Killing wild animals for food or sport is an American tradition and an essential part of wildlife management. Statement B: Hunting is a cruel sport and should be outlawed."

"Ninety-two percent of gun owners and 73% of non-gun owners said hunting is a tradition and is essential to wildlife management. Five percent of gun owners and 20% of non-gun owners said that hunting is a cruel sport. Ninety-four percent of current military members and 85% of veterans said hunting is a tradition while 3% of current military members and 11% of veterans said hunting is a cruel sport."

"Some states in America are being overrun with growing populations of deer, bear, or wolves. When this happens, which of the following do you feel is the best option to take? 1) The state should lengthen hunting seasons; 2) Non-lethal methods of control should be used; 3) People should learn to live with wildlife."

"By an overwhelming margin, 61% of voters in the survey felt that lengthening the hunting season was the best option compared to 18% who said non-lethal methods of control were better. Sixteen percent said that people should learn to live with wildlife. Seventy-five percent of gun owners and 50% of non-gun owners felt that lengthening the hunting season was the best option. Eleven percent of gun owners and 23% of non-gun owners felt non-lethal methods of control were best. Twelve percent of gun owners and 18% of non-gun owners felt that the best option was for people to learn to live with wildlife."

Theres quite a bit more on the hunting there as well.

This week a hunter was devastated when he killed his 14 year old son when he mistook him for a hog. Due to the continuing urbanization of former hunting grounds, do you believe it is safe to allow hunters to cull over-population of "game" animals or do you believe we should look for safer methods more responsive to the problems of suburban sprawl?

Try that one.

very few are killed by firearms. Heart attacks, falls from tree stands , this year, even traffic accidents to/from hunting areas are a greater risk. What are the costs of your "safer" and "more responsive" methods? Who would pay these costs. What are your methods? Relocation of animals? It is unsafe for hunters to "cull" game animals, yet what are the safer alternative?