I promise you that we’ll start looking around the exhibit shortly but something came up today that we have to talk about. David read me an article in the Sylva Herald about two local men that were sentenced to prison for poaching a bear. David and I know a lot of hunters now and EVERY ONE of them are good and careful hunters and would never think about killing a bear illegally. Most people don’t realize this but a lot of the hunters that we know don’t kill the bear even if they could. The problem is that you never see headlines about these kinds of hunters so the people that don’t like hunting and hunters think they are all poachers. Well, they’re not! They are good and generous folks that support a healthy animal population, take excellent care of their dogs and work hard to make sure it will stay this way. The game population is greater than it has ever been and it’s because most of the hunters obey the law. There are more people to than ever and this makes for something dangerous. A lot of people think a bear is cute like me but they’re not. They are strong, fast, smart and can be very dangerous and hunters help to keep them afraid of people. If bears aren’t afraid of people it’s not going to be too much longer before someone is going to be hurt or killed. Bears may look cute but they’re not. I really am cute so you can pet me and feed me if you want. Don’t try that with a bear. We’ll get back in the museum next week.
Nannie
8 Comments
Well said Nannie. Hunting is indeed part of the natural balance of nature–what the Cherokees called Duyuktv. Legal hunters are true environmentalists–I talk about this a bit in my new book. And of course, it is also part of our culture and heritage.
However, idiots like the two that you mentioned, as well as the moron that shot the elk at Cataloochee recently should be tarred and feathered. They give the sport a bad name. Keep up the good work young lady.
Bob
Thank you Mr. Bob. You have done so much for the sport and history of hunting. I know that David can’t wait to read your latest book. Oh yeah, David told me to apologize to you for the way I behaved at the book fair. I’m not usually like that so I’m sorry I misbehaved.
No apology needed Nannie. Like me, you would have rather been outside having fun–not indoors with a bunch of noisy people. That’s a lot for a young dog to take, even a mighty Plott hound. You take care of David and have fun!
Bob
A friend of ours found a dog with a collar on it the other day. It was dead on the road, and when he called, all the guy wanted to know was where the collar was. I respect hunting (we have a freezer full of deer meat), but it breaks my heart to see hound dogs like Nannie or my Porter suffer like that. How can irresponsible hunters be held accountable?
Nannie is out today getting spayed so I’ll comment for her. We have an exhibit here at the museum on Plott hounds and hunting and in the course of the past few months I have interviewed countless hunters and they to a man and woman would agree with you. Hunters like that yahoo you described are an object of scorn among most of the real hunters that respect and care very much for their dogs. I know hunters that have spent over $3000 dollars to save a dog that has been injured because they care that much for them. While these dogs are not pets like Porter and Nannie they are well cared for and the dogs really love what they do. I wish there was an easy answer to your question but in the case of caring more for the collar than the dog– there isn’t. You should read my friend (and Nannie’s) Bob Plott’s wonderful book called “Strike and Stay.”
I think you can click on his name on the post right above yours.
Think good thoughts about Nannie today.
David
Porter wishes Nannie a speedy recovery, and lots of chewable things! Porter would like to offer her a word of advice, “don’t chew on the coffee table, mom got mad at me for that yesterday.”
I see hunting as vital and important, and though I don’t want to see more government regulation, I wish hunters that use dogs irresponsibly could be held accountable. I will check that book out for sure!
Thank you Porter. I feel like I got hit by a truck today so I’m going to do a lot of sleeping. Sorry your mom got mad at you for chewing on the coffee table. I know how you feel though, sometimes it’s just hard to not chew something when it’s right next to you.
Nannie
I see hunting as vital and important. Though I would always wish hunters that use dogs irresponsibly could be held accountable.