Thank a Hunter

Hunting is a remarkably expensive sport, which has gotten only more expensive over the years. So I have not typically engaged in it, but I have huge respect for those that do. Interestingly, a large part of the expense of hunting comes because hunters pay their own way, and then some. Huberto Fontova details just how much a hunter pays, and to whom, in a column today on Townhall.com entitled On Earth Day, Did You Thank a Hunter?. A quote to give you a taste:

So please note: to "preserve nature," they don’t tax Birkenstock hiking boots and ying-yang pendants – but do tax my shotgun. They don’t tax yoga manuals and tofu tid-bits wrapped in recycled paper – but do tax my 30.06 deer rifle. They don’t tax binoculars or birding Field Guides with cutesy photos of the red-cockaded woodpecker and spotted Owl – but do tax the shotgun shells I blast at Mallards before arraying on my grill as Duck-K-Bobs (cooked rare and lovingly basted with plenty of butter, Cajun seasoning and teriyaki sauce).

Do you get a sense that he may be just a little bit miffed? And rightly so, by the way. Hunting is not a "sin," and should not be taxed like one. One of the things that has always struck me is the way that so many "environmentalists" seem to want the moon when other people are paying, when it's other peoples land being taken for protected habitat or for protected wetlands. They might be more sparing if they had to actually pay for property. To bring them back to reality, we need to spread the costs around to the "stakeholders" as they are called, who make claims to which they are not entitled. But, until that bright day when we have true "social justice," perhaps just a little "thanks" would be in order.