Hunting Ain’t What It Used To Be

Above, James scanning the area for a coyote during the
"Great Coyote Hunt" of 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am not a hunter. I do understand the necessity for it, such as thinning out elk and deer herds so they don't overrun their food supply.

The closest thing to hunting was seven years ago when two neighbors and I went out several mornings to shoot a troublesome coyote. Although one neighbor got off a shot, he missed. The coyote took off.

From what I have been reading, the sport of hunting has changed. 

An article in Wyoming's Cowboy State Daily discusses the changes made to hunting and, according to the writer, not for the better.

It begins with:

Hunters of a certain age might wax nostalgic for a simpler time. Back then, hunting tags were readily available at the local store and knocking on a local rancher’s door and politely asking permission to hunt on his land usually worked.

Nowadays, hunters must plow through online page after page of digital regulation books months in advance, just trying to figure out which tags to apply for. And even when they’re successful in drawing their most-desired elk or antelope tags, getting hunting access can be a headache. 

Many private landowners are much more selective about who they allow onto their land, so public land hunting spots get mobbed.

At age 84, Dan Kinneman of Riverton has seen his share of changes on the Wyoming hunting scene.

For years, he was a hunting outfitter in the Dubois area.

He doesn’t like going up that way to hunt anymore. It’s changed too much, and from his perspective, for the worse. 

To read the full article, go here.