laguna
Well-known member
Inspired from another thread...
It has been suggested that all anglers are hunters and it is my opinion that we are not. Given that we have other means of catching fish at our disposal and especially so if you practice catch and release.
Unless you are of the firm belief that both angling and hunting are one and the same or that both terms have the same meaning, it is vital that we make the distinction between the two.
Before I make my case.... These opinions are mine and it is not my intention to force them on anyone here. As an angler, you must make up your own mind and form your own opinion. So without further ado...
A definition of Hunting and how it correlates to my way of thinking...
The pursuit, capture and release, or capture to eat of fish is called fishing, which is not commonly categorized as a kind of hunting, although many hunters may also fish. Neither is it considered hunting to pursue animals without intent to possibly kill.
The Definition and History of Hunting
I hope you will agree that fishing and angling are synonymous and that angling is but one method of fishing.
The above definition for me is the right one. there may be others which contradict, but for me it sits well.
I would no sooner purposefully go hunting with a tranquillizer gun for big game than I would go hunting by angling for fish.
Hunting can be fishing the same as shooting can be hunting. But not all shooting (target practice) or fishing (angling) is hunting is it? just the same as all angling by the above definition (a method of fishing) isn't hunting, you cannot say we anglers are all hunters. Accordingly; If you are an angler that hunts, you are an angler that kills!
If you say angling is hunting then you know as i do that there are better ways to hunt fish than to angle for them... if your argument suggests yes but it is more fun to catch them with hook and line, then it is a sport or recreational activity (angling) you are describing not hunting!
I will concede; hunting and angling can be both sporting and recreational it is true, and the distinction is not always evident but that's where the similarity ends.
Then there is fishing... (lets regurgitate this term into the mix), if you were to suggest that fishing was hunting then I might agree with you if your intention is to kill, but angling? - definitely not! especially if alternative more efficient methods of catching fish were at my disposal!
As I say; I would no sooner purposefully go hunting with a tranquillizer gun for big game than I would go hunting by angling for fish.
Splitting hairs? This debate will go on for ever and a day as fishing and angling are synonymous as this particular word incorporates angling as a fishing method, a method of catching fish.
"I'm going fishing tomorrow" does not mean I am going hunting if I am angling for fish. If I was hunting fish I would catch them by more efficient means, kill them and sell them at market. I am an angler and conservationist not a commercial fisherman, therefore despite having the ability, skill and instinct to hunt it does not necessarily make me a hunter when angling.
With the exception of the antis; angling has gained the respect as a leisurely and gentlemanly pastime even from some non-anglers from our catch and release programs, river management, aquaculture and conservation efforts etc. but can you say the same about hunting?
In my opinion there is a distinct difference. Ask Joe public of his/her opinion on "hunting" and see what the response might be.
Ask them the same about angling and see the contrast in their response. It will at the very least evoke a more favourable opinion.
What animal hunts for pleasure and releases its prey?
A cat will play with a mouse but ultimately the cat will kill the mouse just as surely as any hunter will kill its prey.
We may use our hunter instincts and skills to catch fish by angling for them but we are not necessarily hunting unless it is for food or trophy.
You would not snare a rabbit and then release it would you? and by the same token if you were hunting you would not hunt a fish and release it either.
My own definition of hunting is to pursue, persecute and kill, hardly the terms I would want to be associated with.
Your definition may be different and of course we are all entitled to our own opinions but it does not by any means make you wrong.
I'm the sort of guy....
If my maggot/worm survives from the impalement of a hook in its arse and near drowning, I will throw it in the grass in the hope it survives!
It has been suggested that all anglers are hunters and it is my opinion that we are not. Given that we have other means of catching fish at our disposal and especially so if you practice catch and release.
Unless you are of the firm belief that both angling and hunting are one and the same or that both terms have the same meaning, it is vital that we make the distinction between the two.
Before I make my case.... These opinions are mine and it is not my intention to force them on anyone here. As an angler, you must make up your own mind and form your own opinion. So without further ado...
A definition of Hunting and how it correlates to my way of thinking...
The pursuit, capture and release, or capture to eat of fish is called fishing, which is not commonly categorized as a kind of hunting, although many hunters may also fish. Neither is it considered hunting to pursue animals without intent to possibly kill.
The Definition and History of Hunting
I hope you will agree that fishing and angling are synonymous and that angling is but one method of fishing.
The above definition for me is the right one. there may be others which contradict, but for me it sits well.
I would no sooner purposefully go hunting with a tranquillizer gun for big game than I would go hunting by angling for fish.
Hunting can be fishing the same as shooting can be hunting. But not all shooting (target practice) or fishing (angling) is hunting is it? just the same as all angling by the above definition (a method of fishing) isn't hunting, you cannot say we anglers are all hunters. Accordingly; If you are an angler that hunts, you are an angler that kills!
If you say angling is hunting then you know as i do that there are better ways to hunt fish than to angle for them... if your argument suggests yes but it is more fun to catch them with hook and line, then it is a sport or recreational activity (angling) you are describing not hunting!
I will concede; hunting and angling can be both sporting and recreational it is true, and the distinction is not always evident but that's where the similarity ends.
Then there is fishing... (lets regurgitate this term into the mix), if you were to suggest that fishing was hunting then I might agree with you if your intention is to kill, but angling? - definitely not! especially if alternative more efficient methods of catching fish were at my disposal!
As I say; I would no sooner purposefully go hunting with a tranquillizer gun for big game than I would go hunting by angling for fish.
Splitting hairs? This debate will go on for ever and a day as fishing and angling are synonymous as this particular word incorporates angling as a fishing method, a method of catching fish.
"I'm going fishing tomorrow" does not mean I am going hunting if I am angling for fish. If I was hunting fish I would catch them by more efficient means, kill them and sell them at market. I am an angler and conservationist not a commercial fisherman, therefore despite having the ability, skill and instinct to hunt it does not necessarily make me a hunter when angling.
With the exception of the antis; angling has gained the respect as a leisurely and gentlemanly pastime even from some non-anglers from our catch and release programs, river management, aquaculture and conservation efforts etc. but can you say the same about hunting?
In my opinion there is a distinct difference. Ask Joe public of his/her opinion on "hunting" and see what the response might be.
Ask them the same about angling and see the contrast in their response. It will at the very least evoke a more favourable opinion.
What animal hunts for pleasure and releases its prey?
A cat will play with a mouse but ultimately the cat will kill the mouse just as surely as any hunter will kill its prey.
We may use our hunter instincts and skills to catch fish by angling for them but we are not necessarily hunting unless it is for food or trophy.
You would not snare a rabbit and then release it would you? and by the same token if you were hunting you would not hunt a fish and release it either.
My own definition of hunting is to pursue, persecute and kill, hardly the terms I would want to be associated with.
Your definition may be different and of course we are all entitled to our own opinions but it does not by any means make you wrong.
I'm the sort of guy....
If my maggot/worm survives from the impalement of a hook in its arse and near drowning, I will throw it in the grass in the hope it survives!