I fish and hunt. I was lucky because my dad is very skilled and softhearted. He taught me the importance of doing things properly to minimize any animal suffering.

We could discuss the moral merits of veganism, and that’s a discussion worth having, but let’s just say for the moment that if one is to eat meat and fish, harvesting our own isn’t more ethically problematic than buying at the supermarket.

While I have a hunting license and a fishing license right now, the only thing I needed to acquire either of them was money and ID.

No classes, no online course, no proficiency demonstration, nothing.

When I lived in Germany, the opposite was true. Hunting and fishing licenses required training. People had to learn and demonstrate that they knew what they were doing to both stay within the law and to behave ethically.

I really don’t think that’s too much to ask. I took the classes I was supposed to take in Germany and I got my license.

Here in the US, hunting and fishing are taking to be rights that must not be trampled on.

I guess I understand that, but I don’t see how a little education would make those rights go away.