So Veg

The Bloody Business of the Trophy Hunters

Chris — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:43:58 +0000

The following article can be found http://independant.co.uk

By David Randall and Jonathan Owen

Published: 09 September 2007

Rich “sportsmen” are paying up to $35,000 per trip to hunt down and kill polar bears, which are then stuffed and mounted for display.

An IoS investigation has identified 10 companies offering polar bear hunting trips. On many of their websites are images of bloody bear carcasses, besides which a grinning hunter poses with gun or crossbow.

Some animals appear to have several wounds, indicating that their deaths were less the climax to a sport and more a slow execution on ice. Experts estimate that around 1,000 of the world’s 22,000-25,000 remaining polar bears are killed each year.

About 150 of these are shot by hunters in Canada, 200 by poachers in Russia, and the remainder by native peoples in Canada, the US and Greenland.

And the number of officially sanctioned kills is increasing. Two years ago, Canada upped its quota for hunting by 28 per cent to 518, Greenland (in an attempt to stem the 250 or so unofficial kills) laid down an annual quota, and Russia, where poaching is a major problem, is about to lift its ban on hunting for the first time in 50 years.

In Canada, each Inuit community decides how many polar bear “tags” it will retain, and how many it will sell to trophy hunters. Hunting trip firms then sell these “tags”, plus travel and accommodation, as part of a package deal. Alaska Hunting Safaris, for example, invites hunters to “Join us on the adventure of a lifetime for the thrill of chasing the Arctic’s greatest trophy animal, the polar bear!”

Demand is strong. Alaska-based Adventures in the Wild has already sold out its polar bear hunting trips for next year and reports that polar bear tags are selling out within days of becoming available.

Once in the Arctic, the clients travel by dog sled accompanied by local guides. On sighting a bear, the dogs chase down the bears until, exhausted and trapped, they can be shot at by the tourists.

Companies assure clients that local back-up is on hand to help “finish the job”. In a Safari Club International newsletter, one hunter, who went with Pokiak Guiding and Outfitting in Canada, describes the killing of a 10ft bear: “I squeezed off my .416 [gun]. I heard the immediate WHACK – but he didn’t go down! The bear lunged toward the open water… I continued to shoot, and I could hear the rounds hitting, but this grand old bear would not go quietly.

“All of a sudden, he crashed through the ice and finally succumbed in a pond-sized area of slushy ice water… I watched from the hard ice as James and Jacob went to work to recover my prized trophy… An exhilarating moment!”

Polar bear trophies are also in demand from collectors. Rugs can sell for $10,000 apiece, with illegal kills in Russia believed to be the main source. But skins are available in Canada, too.

An IoS reporter was offered one by www.Bear-SkinWorld.com. “We have one polar bear rug which has just been completed from our production line. We have not yet posted this polar bear on our web site. He measures 7ft 6ins from nose to tail. Price is $12,000, plus shipping.”

Canadians say polar bear hunting is properly managed to ensure the viability of bear populations, and Inuit representatives say that the income from sports hunting is vital for the survival of their communities.

———I’d love to hear you opinions. Feel free to comment. Trophy hunting is a brutal waste of life as far as Mr. SoVeg is concerned.

I recently moved, and decided to get digital cable at the new place. I neeeeed my National Geographic and Animal Planet. For the first few months we get all of the channels that are available. I noticed on the guide a channel called Wild TV. It sounded like another fun nature channel to me…

Turns out Wild TV is a hunting and fishing channel. I found out quite quickly as they were just shooting a walrus as I flicked to it. I find it hard to believe that people find killing innocent wildlife entertaining. Not only to participate in, but to watch on TV with a bowl of popcorn in their stupid lap.

Great Vegetarian Quotes # 2

Chris — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:02:12 +0000

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.” - Paul McCartney

“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” - Charles Darwin

”Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.” - James A. Froude (1818-1894)

“I am not systematic at all when it comes to religion. I just love life. And I’m not judgmental. And I’m a vegetarian.” - Erykah Badu

“I’m a vegetarian - I think there’s a strong possibility, had I not become a vegetarian, I would not be working now. I became a vegetarian about 25 years ago, and I did it out of concern for animals. But I immediately began having more energy and feeling better.” - Bob Barker

“I’ve been a vegetarian for years and years. I’m not judgemental about others who aren’t, I just feel I cannot eat or wear living creatures.” - Drew Barrymore

“Intellectually, human beings and animals may be different, but it’s pretty obvious that animals have a rich emotional life and that they feel joy and pain. It’s easy to forget the connection between a hamburger and the cow it came from. But I forced myself to acknowledge the fact that every time I ate a hamburger, a cow had ceased to breathe and moo and walk around.” - Moby

“I think there’s something odd about eating another living anything.” - Shania Twain

One Year Since Steve Irwin’s Death

Chris — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:33:17 +0000

It has been one year since a man who loved animals for a living died doing what he loved. Steve Irwin passed away after being fatally pierced in the heart by a stingray barb. He died chasing nature.

Not everyone agreed with what Irwin he did for a living, but no one will disagree with that fact that he felt he was doing the right thing. No one will disagree with the fact that he educated and inspired millions of people to not only care about the future of those animals, but also our environment.

His passion and fate were reminiscent of another animal loving environmentalist named Timothy Treadwell, who filmed but did not complete the documentary, “Grizzly Man“, before he was killed, by a member of the very species he was trying to protect. The fourth anniversary of his untimely death is just over one month away.

Many thought Treadwell was crazy, they found he was doing nothing but interfering with nature, and causing those animals to stop fearing humans. This may be correct, but both Irwin and Treadwell were great people that should be remembered and looked upon in a positive manor.

What these crazy humans were truly passionate about was educating humanity about these animals in order to protect and conserve them and their habitats.

-Mr. SoVeg

Al Gore Isn’t Vegetarian? WTF?!?

Chris — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:12:54 +0000

I’m in a bit of shock right now after stumbling over this video on youtube. Yes, Glen Beck is a dick head, but this video is worth watching. I have always assumed that Gore was a vegetarian or vegan. Silly me. How can he preach to the world about global warming when he is not making the most important step himself? With his movie, “An Inconvenient Truth”, and the speeches he has made world wide, how can this be? Oh yeah, don’t forgot about Live Earth. Live Earth was/is Gore’s brain child. Watch this video, and leave your thoughts if you wish.

Cheap Vegetables Everywhere

Chris — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 22:36:42 +0000

Who would have figured moving out of the big city would give me more options? In the city there was only one near by farmers market that was only open for a hand full of hours on Saturday morning. Now that I have moved back to the country, I live within walking distance of two wonderful and CHEAP fruit and vegetable markets.

Today I decided I needed to barbeque some corn, even though it was pouring outside. I picked up eight monster ears of corn, 5 pounds of lil’ baby potatoes, and a big honkin’ zucchini for 5 bucks. Then I stopped into the other market and bought a pound of fresh blueberries, a loaf of freshy baked brown bread, a bunch of bananas, a few bulbs of fresh garlic, and four giant tomatoes for 10 bucks! 15 dollars and I can feed an army.

I absolutely love being a vegetarian. Everything you eat is so clean and fresh. There is no need to worry about foodborne illnesses such as salmonella, and E. coli. Not only that, but you are helping save the world living meat-free, especially if you support your local markets and keep produce transportation to a minimum. Livestock production is an absolute earth killer. Eat your beets and carrots!

-Mr. SoVeg

WPB Approves Of Cage-Free Eggs

Chris — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:20:53 +0000

The following article can be found at www.wpbf.com

The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously passed a resolution opposing the factory farming practice keeping egg-laying hens in small battery cages.

The resolution stated that the commission “opposes battery cage egg production, based on the inherent cruelty of confining egg-laying hens in battery cages,” and further “encourages consumers of eggs not to purchase eggs produced by caged hens.”

Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell introduced the resolution. “Animal cruelty has no place in our society, and I’m proud that West Palm Beach has joined the growing number of cities opposing battery cage confinement in the egg industry. Keeping animals in restrictive cages so small they can hardly move is inhumane,” Commissioner Mitchell said.

West Palm Beach becomes the third Florida city and seventh in the nation to pass a resolution condemning battery cage confinement, joining other Florida cities Winter Springs and New Port Richey.

Florida-based Burger King has also announced it is moving away from using eggs from caged hens.

Animal activists claim that U.S. factory farms confine approximately 280 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, the birds can’t even spread their wings.

————- Mr. SoVeg - Talk about a step in the right direction. If I was not such a happy and proud Canadian, I would totally be on my way to Florida. This puts lack-luster announcements like the recent one made by the American Veal Association to shame. Baby steps get you nowhere. Slow and steady does not win the race (as much as I do love that Care Bears episode). Real announcements, that make a real impact, are what is needed here.

Just like plastic shopping bags, battery cage usage should not be phased out. They should be simply eliminated. What is wrong is wrong.

-Mr. SoVeg

Veggie Carnival Number Six

Chris — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:33:06 +0000

Check out the carnival everyone! YAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m Moving, But I’ll Be Back Soon.

Chris — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:03:28 +0000

Should have the net back by the 28th. I certainly hope so anyway!

-Mr. SoVeg

8 Facts About My Vegetarian Self

Chris — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:39:36 +0000

Yay! I found something to do. I have not been tagged, but i did read Veggie Chic’s post. She broke the rules, but I do not mind.

First, the rules:

* Post these rules before you give your facts.
* List 8 random facts about yourself.
* At the end of your post, choose (tag) 8 people and list their names, linking to them
* Leave a comment on their blog, letting them know they’ve been tagged

Now, what you’ve all been waiting for… my 8 random facts.

My girlfriend was a vegetarian long before myself, and many think she has influenced me. Well, that is 100% incorrect. I was sent THIS LINK by a friend, and it changed my life forever. That friend went vegetarian for a few days and decided to forget what he saw. I now cannot help but think when it comes to putting things into my mouth.

I have actually gained weight since becoming vegetarian. This could probably be blamed on how lazy I have been this past year, and not on my diet.

I have two pets that eat mice (besides my 5 cats). I have a snake named Daemeon, and a frog named Lily. On one of my other blogs you will find a video of Lily having a snack. Does this make me a bad vegetarian? I don’t think so. She would choke on a carrot.

I have only been a vegetarian for about one year and I already write about it. Some may think I am an idiot, but since making the switch I have done endless research, and I have become one of the most passionate vegetable lovers that I know.

I only miss one meat product, and that product is jerky. Seems like a nasty thing to miss, but I miss it so much I ordered some vegan jerky from PETA’s store, and even though it kinda tastes like hell, I eat it anyway.

I still love and eat honey. I feel that no one gets hurt at a bee farm. The bees choose to be there, and they could leave at any time. They are never kicked, shocked, crowded in, or slaughtered. Veganism disses all animal products, and that is why I am not a full-blown vegan.

I am as much an environmentalist as I am a vegetarian. Here is another one of my blogs: Earth Threat dot Org. There is no such thing as a meat-eating environmentalist.

Although many accuse me of looking like some kind of vegetarian hippy, I have never once tried smoking. Not cigarettes, and not marijuana. I’ve tried to be a healthy person my entire life. Eventually I realized hot dogs and hamburgers and not healthy either, and they had to go.

Well that was half enjoyable. I’m sorry I did not have any really nasty skeletons to pull out of my closet, but I am not big on secrets and I guess I do not really have any.

Since I am still quite new to veggie blogging, I am going to break the rules much like Veggie Chic did before me. I think Vegan Momma would enjoy this one though. I also invite anyone who reads this to participate, and link to your post by commenting here. Of course if you do not own a blog, start one, or post your entire ramble in a comment. I look forward to reading some others.

-Mr. SoVeg

Bear Kicks Hunter’s Ass

Chris — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:18:40 +0000

Bear attacks unlucky hunter in Finnish season opener
Mon Aug 20, 8:39 AM ET

A wounded bear attacked an unlucky hunter in Finland on the first day of the
hunting season Monday, but the man survived suffering only a big fright and
a few stitches, officials said.

Together with two hunting buddies, the man was tracking a brown bear he had
just wounded with a bullet in a thick forest in Kiite, in eastern Finland
near the Russian border, when the bear released its anger on the shooter.

The animal escaped another round of heavy-calibre fire and the jaws of the
man’s hunting dog before turning on the hunter.

The bear bit the man in the arm and clawed his neck, head and back before
the two other men succeeded in scaring off the animal and shooting it dead.

The hunter suffered only minor wounds, the head of the local hunting
federation Hannu Tahvanainen told AFP.

The bear quota for the 2007 season, which runs from the end of August until
the end of October, has been set at 79 out of a population of about 1,000
animals.

——– This is a depressing article, but at least that wonderful bear left some permanent marks on the ass that shot him. To quote the band 311, “Guns are for pussies.”

-Mr. SoVeg