The Right to Hunt

Rating:
Summary: If it's noble, why spend so much time defending it?
Review: A hunter with an advanced degree? Surely not! Read the book. And laugh to yourself about how the stereotype of hunters as ignorant hicks just keeps perpetuating itself...The author is no exception.

Damn, now where'd I put them Molly Hatchett tix?

Rating:
Summary: a good contribution to the debate
Review: Many people enjoy hunting and subsist on what they hunt. They are careful, thoughtful people and this book clearly expounds the reasons they are hunters. With the growing controversy surrounding hunting, and the politically correct new-kids-on-the-block attempting to overturn generations of tradition and respectful hunting because of trends in popular "thought", books on the positive aspects of this tradition are needed. Whisker's book covers his side, and some chapters try to deal with opposing viewpoints, but in reality readers have plenty of opposing viewpoints out there and Whisker includes these only to make his readers aware that HE is aware.

Other books in this tradition that go well with Whisker: "Living Wild and Domestic" by Robert Kimber, Jim Posewitz's "Inherit the Hunt: A journey into the heart of American Hunting";James Swan's "In Defense of Hunting"; Books by David Petersen: "A Hunter's Heart: Honest Essays on BloodSport" and "Heartsblood: Hunting, Spirituality, and Wildness in America"; and the well written and philosophical "Meditations on Hunting" by Jose Ortega Y Gasset.

While reviews of this book focus on their particular side of the argument, potential buyers should be aware that this is a positive rendition of hunting and that they will be disatisfied, as many reviewers were, that everyone didn't agree with their own viewpoint. As hunters are often voracious readers and think for themselves, they will find much that they already agree with here--but articulated simply and straightforwardly. Whisker cannot support a side he does not believe in, and frankly I trust him only because he speaks from his heart and experience, not because he carries a repetitive mantra handed to him by someone else. I'm thankful he contributed to the debate.

Rating:
Summary: I wish I could give this book no stars
Review: Must we remain the brutal beings we once were? Just because we can do something does not mean we should or have the right to. Animals are not here for us to eat, wear or be entertained by -- and what a sick individual you must be in order to be entertained by slaughtering an innocent being in cold blood.

A better book to read on the subject would be "Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse: Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention" by Frank Ascione. The type of violence that hunting perpetuates is a perfect example of the kind of macho nonsense that pervades our culture.

However, hunting is not the only form of animal cruelty, and this is why you should seriously consider going vegan. For yourself, the animals, and the planet Earth.

Rating:
Summary: Is Hunting a "Right" or a "Privilege?"
Review: The answer has various consequences. If it is a "right" it carries greater protection from intrusion. If it is a "privilege" it is something that cannot only be intruded on, but also denied.

Dr. Whisker presents several cogent arguments on several different grounds (constitution, nature, religion, etc.) why hunting is a "right" not just a "privilege."

In the academic tradition, the work is heavily documented and researched. And the socratic method is followed. But it is also an easy read for everyone to understand.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Hunting for the "Right" in Hunting.
Review: This book IS very easy to read, a neccessary feature for most hunters. It shows the ongoing desperate search to justify this cruel and increasingly unpopular activity. The government coddled minority of hunters will find no new excuses for their obsessive, cowardly enjoyment in killling.