Is it wrong.

To hunt and kill things like crow and groundhog if you are doing for fun, not ADC work or nuisance work. And then not eating or using the carcass.

Yep

Nope

I just thought of this because I saw some groundhogs on my uncles property and I was thinking about how I could set up on them. I’m used to shooting groundhogs that dig under barns, and make holes in farmers fields but in this situation there was no problem being caused so I was just thinking about if I should still go after it or not.

Every critter is it’s own worse enemy if you reduce the competition your doing the rest of the population a favor.

Are you quoting Bill Gates?

With feral hogs, I shoot them and leave them for the coyotes and birds to eat. But they are destructive, filthy and prolific parasites so I have a reason.

Otherwise, I don't just shoot, for instance, blue jays at the bird feeder for fun. That seems a little crazy.

Ethically and in my opinion, a reason is needed and it doesn't have to food or fur. The "reason" can be lots of things.

I think it is OK to kill crows, prairie dogs, and groundhogs. Wild hogs are another pest species, but an effort should be made to use their meat. It is a shame that nuisance deer kills must be left in the fields but it discourages killing deer just to sell the meat I suppose. Trapping nuisance beaver and nutria without using their fur is not frowned upon and often done by state agencies. An attic full of squirrels can be a problem as can a skunk under the house.

My wife would gladly kill the chipmunks who eat her flowers and tunnel under our patio. She puts mothballs in their tunnels.

I shoot crows and chipmunks with my .17hmr. Love using the crow calls and a decoy to pull them in. I don’t use them for meat but I’m occasionally I will save some of the feathers to use as bobcat visual attractors. Chipmunks on the other hand are a nuisance around here. I have dispatched somewhere around 50 or so between trapping them and shooting them and I still see them around often.

My grandson shoots ever blackbird and starling in the yard he says it's fun I want them out. So it's a win win.

Nope it there is a legitimate reason to do so.

Buzzards gotta eat too.

I used to whack Woodchucks all summer long as a kid/young adult. Where I live now, they are not near as many.......I can go 2-3 years without seeing any. I used to eat the young ones and a fair number of the adults I shot. I like the meat if it's handled right. Shot and tossed a bunch of crows too. I have only eaten them a couple times. It was cooked in the oven (the breasts) with duck and was just as good.

I don't see anything wrong with it, as long as you have a reason to kill. And I suppose entertainment or shooting practice is a good enough reason.. Seems like a waste of good food to let it rot in the field though.

As a kid in the 50s, we shot lots of birds with our BB guns. Didn’t know any difference back then.

From 30 years ago to about 15 years ago there were lots of groundhogs in Eastern NC. Haven’t seen one in 15 years. Coyotes moved in. No more groundhogs at all.

Simple answer, No

But there is nothing wrong with grinding the meat for bait either.

I think it’s an ethical question each person should answer for him or herself or guide their children in. And remember that nothing in nature goes to waste.

Nope. Indiscriminate killer here.

I agree with 3 fingers.If they are not scarce,no problem popping a few-nothing goes to waste in the bush/in nature.
Groundhog is good trapping bait,and has strong leather.

Does anyone think its wrong to kill a furbearer (not nuisance) for money without keeping the fur??

If there is something out there that takes the food out of humans
mouths...they need dealt with. Crows destroy young corn plants...if not
on yours, somebody elses, and groundhogs eat all they can reach or climb to.
Coons tear up all corn, but flock to the sweet. Everyone loves sweet corn.
Only handle what is making problems.
They'll make more and you'll never catch up. Wack away.
Crop damage.

I used to let some critters go when I thought they were not causing problems. Then I found out 5hat they will cause problems in the future. Now every coon, skunk ,opossum, coyote, fox and groundhog is shot on sight year round and trapped during season. I never seem to run out?

Everyone has their own opinion! Personally I have no problem shooting either one nor care if someone else does. First one that gets near my garden is being fed lead. If I shoot them in non-garden season its to insure my garden is safe from them.

I tend to think population control and the balance of predator prey should be kept in check by any land owner and if he wants the aid of sportsmen that should be HIS decision.

There are states and Feds who disagree with me tho and birds of prey is the best example I can remember. I'm sure some of the guys who have to put up with wolf reintroduction efforts and the political climate they create might have some even better examples

The older I get the less I enjoy killing stuff so IMO I wouldn't kill if I can not benefit from it in $ or food.

Ditto.

Wrong? No


WS

here make take on your question , i feed the birds all winter i like watching them out my shop windows , a long came a red squirrel , i thought shoot it and then i said it only one , pretty soon i had two ,no problem , well the other day I'M out in my shop and I hear a noise in the wall of my shop, I go outside an a red squirrel made a hole in my eve and is making a nest in my wall , I shot 5 of they in about 5 minutes ,no more minster nice guy , lol

Like most things in life...it depends.

If critters are not bothering me I don't bother them, I've done enough killing in my time...But I won't tolerate coons around the house, period...now if we had coyotes here, they'd get the coon treatment too.

Grew up on a farm as a barefoot barbarian. So were my cousins and all my friends. Only off limits was anything out of season and Robins. Anything killed in season was cooked and eaten. All else lived in mortal danger at all times. I was encouraged and celebrated in all my hunting endeavors. Especially by my mother and father, who had the understanding to give me the freedom few know, and foresight that I would grow out of it. Holes in barn roofs was frowned upon as well shooting bb’s and throwing rocks at the livestock. Good lord what a great life

Nope! Went 10 for 10 in last 2 days with a 17/223 Winslow. Great fun and practice. Usually kill 30-40 a year.

Grew up the same way, my father brought me home the ammo. Frogs were high on my hit list. I don't remember any glass lightning rod insulators on the barn surviving. I wonder what they'd be worth today.

I can relate entirely! Same way I grew up, and thanked mom and dad many times before they left for good.

Lee, how great was the quail hunting around Westy and Circleville 25 years ago before there would be 100 birds of prey behind every swathe that knocked down 4 or 5 acres of hay?

Man I miss a strong quail population.

That's for sure, Marion. Same for the muskrats too, I find some in the ponds around that don't have any trees or post around them, otherwise they don't last long. It gripes me when the call it wildlife management.....but don't manage their pet species....mainly BOP!

Groundhog is good meat....aside from that the moral dilemma is your own. Personally, I do not enjoy killing living things for no good reason.

I dont generally kill anything anymore unless it's in season.

I wasnt proud of who ever it was that swerved to smash a big snapping turtle, just a mile out of town here as it was probably laying eggs on the edge of the road. I felt that was senseless.

I hate snapping turtles but it wasn’t me.

Leftlane, haven't you been schooled yet by the local wildlife biologist that birds of prey only take the sick and the weak, making for a stronger population?

Yeah I must be a slow learner huh?

I'm the same but I also had tons of fun killing stuff when I was a youngster. I'd much rather see a teenager out hunting crows or woodchucks (even if just leaving them lay) then in their bedroom playing video games all day. I think God meant for our killing drive to wane as we age. Once we've killed enough stuff it starts to lose it's appeal, and I think that's how it was meant to be. But I say let the youngun's have at it!