SSAA Tasmanian Deerstalkers Inc. News

2012 Sees a VASTLY improved range for TDS Members

Subsequent to some extensive earthworks at the SSAA Tasmanian Deerstalkers' Range, we are proud to announce much improved facilities.

We now have dedicated butts at 25m, 50m, 75m and 100m. We also created a 200m shooting point. The main shooting line has been built up and levelled and we have a dedicated 25m pistol range.

So, come along and check out the new range. We need your attendances and support to justify our on-going commitment to improving the range.

SEE YOU THERE IN 2012

Some "Food" for Thought

Nowadays, many people are reducing the strain on their household budget by growing their own vegetables and/or catching fish. These money-saving practices are promoted on the many TV lifestyle and fishing shows. It’s no wonder; because growing vegetables and catching fish not only helps the budget, but guarantees quality and freshness while also providing healthy exercise.

Obviously, not everyone has the time or the commitment to tend to a vegetable garden or go fishing, that’s the reason we have supermarkets and fish shops. Nevertheless, both fishing and vegetable gardening are accepted and even encouraged. Why then, is hunting for fresh meat deemed so repugnant even though it is done for the very same reasons?

Hunters benefit from some exercise while obtaining fresh, low cost, quality meat for the table which definitely helps a family on a tight budget.

Sadly, many urbanised people are shocked at the mere thought of hunting for meat and often label the practice as “cruel”. But, the link between death and cruelty is not necessarily correct. The death of an animal does not automatically equate to suffering. Unlike domestic animals, which are corralled into the killing factories that many seem to accept as civilised (and humane), hunted animals are rarely ever aware of any imminent danger. They are subjected to little or no suffering before or at the time of death. That's because most hunters take considerable care to ensure a clean, painless kill in order to minimise the animal’s stress and the subsequent possibility of spoiling the quality of the meat.

While humans (and many of our pets) eat meat, animals will continue to die. Those that obtain their meat from a butcher or supermarket simply rely on others to do the killing for them. This does not make them any more civilised or morally ethical than hunters who choose to gather their own meat for their family.

The disconnected urban population must understand that hunting for meat, whether it is deer, goat, wild pig, duck or even kangaroo, is not in and of itself cruel. Hunting for meat should be encouraged and commended, just like vegetable gardening.

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