As a result of all this, we more and more try to justify why we hunt as "necessary" population control. We are so vilified by teachers and the media that we are ashamed to say we enjoy pursuing, killing, and benefiting from the animals we take.

We even either remain quiet or agree with others when they vilify loggers or ranchers or dog breeders or dog owners that have their dog's ears clipped or tails bobbed.

We look away when environmental extremists or animal rights veterinarians join with University professors to proclaim that they and "their" science should rule us.

We are intimidated by fellow citizens demanding that we accept their notions of animal worship and equality with ourselves.

We still vote for politicians that will eliminate our rights to these things because they support other things like "prescription drugs" or "more money for schools".

We hunt because we enjoy hunting. Young men and women enjoy hunting. Housewives enjoy hunting.

It is because we enjoy it so much that we pay ever-increasing license fees and hunt whenever, however, and wherever the regulations dictate.

It is because we enjoy it so much that controlling beaver or reducing deer numbers can GENERATE public funds instead of COST public funds.

It is because we enjoy it so much that there are State Fish and Wildlife agencies and a National Wildlife Refuge System.

It is because we enjoy it so much that there are State and Federal agencies in existence to "manage" fish and wildlife or as we are wont to say today, "the environment".

It is because we enjoy it so much that we willingly tax ourselves over half a billion dollars per year for State fish and wildlife agencies to maintain and restore fish and wildlife populations nationwide.

It is because we enjoy it so much that hunted bird populations, fish populations, and big game populations are maintained and carefully protected.

It is because we enjoy it so much that we are outraged that the Federal agencies and their ever-more subservient State cousins are decimating game populations with wolf introductions and burgeoning populations of unmanaged cougars, bears, and wolves.

It is because we enjoy it so much that we are so offended by the steady disappearance of fish and wildlife management and research and its' replacement by no-use, no-access, and no-management philosophies and enclaves.

It is because we enjoy it so much that we should demand the firing of public employees that would eradicate game populations and gun ownership in the name of "native ecosystems" and gun control.