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Subsistence Hunting
Posted by Michael Strahan on Dec 21 2005
Bigmnt,
Thanks for posting this question.
My first reaction is to say that subsistence hunting is different from sport hunting or hunting strictly for meat. But the more I think about it, subsistence seems tied to both, in different ways. In one way, it might be a bridge between the two. Here's what I mean.
Oh, and before I say this I have another question; who gets to define these terms? Those outside the user group, or those involved in the activity? A case could be made that the only one who really understands trophy hunting is a trophy hunter. If you were a trophy hunter, would you want a vegetarian anti-hunter from another state defining the terms and parameters for you? Probably not. I use the extreme example to make the point that perhaps the person best suited to define these terms is the user group itself. This leads to another point; if the conflicts that exist between these groups (meat hunters, sport hunters and subsistence hunters) are to be resolved, it will probably take some discussion between these groups. I suspect such discussions will require mutual respect rather than in-your-face confrontation over past and present woes (and there are many).
Now back to the point. Sport hunters are primarily (though not always) focused on the enjoyment of the hunting experience, whereas meat hunters are primarily focused on obtaining food. That doesn't mean that sport hunters don't enjoy the meat, or feel an obligation to properly handle it, and it doesn't mean that meat hunters don't have a good time while they're gathering food. It just means that each group has a different objective in mind. Subsistence hunters are different. Though their practices are rooted in the gathering of food, there are, in the most traditional environments, certain rituals and practices that go beyond simply hunting and gathering. For example in some cultures the men don't tell the women they're going hunting, because the spirits would hear them and they would be unsuccessful. Some cultures don't let women handle weapons. Some cultures have certain practices designed to show respect for an animal they've killed. Though these practices can be readily seen in other countries (I've observed them), I think in Alaska a lot of the traditional, cultural practices have been supplanted by modern equipment and by changes in the availability of food and other resources in the village. The entire culture has changed. In short, life is easier in Bush Alaska than it used to be. I think subsistence in Alaska finds itself in an "in-between" place that is neither traditional subsistence, meat hunting, or sport hunting; yet it contains elements of each. There is also now a focus on land ownership issues that was missing from previous generations (probably brought on by Westernization). But as I said in the previous paragraph, I'm not the best one to define this; it's best coming from someone from within the user group.
So how about it, folks? Do we have any subsistence hunters in the house? If so, perhaps you could lend us the benefit of your insights on this? I want to understand...
Best Regards,
-Mike
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