Subsistence Hunting License?
I was Googling hunting news this morning in hopes of finding an idea for a post, and I came across an article about changes to Alberta’s subsistence hunting license. Basically, it’s a hunting license issued to anyone in the province that relies upon moose, elk, or deer meat to feed them and their families and can be used anytime during the year. It got me to thinking.
Would the creation of a subsistence hunting license elsewhere help curb the cases of out-of-season poaching? Granted, some poaching isn’t for the meat to feed the poacher and their families. For those people poaching as a means to feed their families, though, it would provide a legal way for them to do so.
Off the top of my head, I can think of a few ways of how such a program could work.
One would be for hunters who need to supplement their families food throughout the year with wild game to apply for the license through their state’s wildlife agency. The agency would then verify that the hunter meets certain economic and financial conditions and would either approve or deny the application. Since financial conditions play a major factor in the need for the license, it would need to be priced reasonably as to be useful for the applicant.
Another way would be by making the license available to people seeking aid or assistance through any of the programs that offer food stamps or other nutritional programs for those needing help feeding their families. If anyone in an applicants household is a hunter and, if required, has a Hunter Education Card, or individual state equivalent, the subsistence hunting license would be issued as a part of the assistance program.
I’m sure there are other ways this could be incorporated, but that is a couple off the top of my head. I think it would be a win-win situation for those needing to feed their families and the wildlife agencies. What are your thoughts?
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hunting, hunting sense, hunting license, subsistence hunting license, poaching, hunters, food stamps
December 17th, 2007 at 10:02 am
I like this idea. First, it would help ensure families would be getting more healthy meat. A lot of what is donated to food pantries and such is packaged, highly processed food, that isn’t all that healthy.
Second, it would take some of the pressure off the local food banks. I know ours around here are getting more and more requests for help and less and less in donations. Hunters could go out and ge ttheir own food, which would eliminate some of the need for help.
December 17th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I also like his idea,Besides I hink it would make some feel like they themselves,were feeding their family.
There is nothing wrong with getting help.
But I know I always felt good about,puting meat on the table for my family.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I think this definitely has some potential. Would be interesting to get the brainstorming started in a state somewhere.
I don’t think it would help with poaching all that much, but I still like the idea regardless.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:35 am
I agree with what everyone said here. I think it is an interesting idea and wonder if it would take off in other states. I think if you rely on deer meat and that is the only meat you eat, you should be able to provide that to your family any time of the year.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:57 am
I think it is a bunch of hooey. I would like to see you apply for that license and see what happens. There are so many deer now that you can fill your freezer for a year just by asking around. I don’t think anyone should have special provisions to be a legal outlaw.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I agree with Rex! First off, hunting is not a cheap endeavor even if it is to feed your family. Whether you are hunting public or private land just ask anyone that has hunted. It is much cheaper to go to the store than it is to hunt. It may be healthier, but definitely not cheaper. Also, you would be giving permission to hunt during the times of the year that animals are starting to have there fawns or calves. Putting un-needed stress on animals that already have enough. Third, if you kill an elk or moose. You are talking about 200 to 500 lbs. of meat. If they are able to hunt during the regular season, just like everyone else, They should not have a need for red meat the rest of the year.
January 25th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
[…] you’re interested in a hunter’s take on things, check out Hunting Sense’s Subsistence Hunting License Post. It involves a license that would be allowed to be used year round. It’s meant for people who […]