Posted by Robert Dilley on March 25, 2004 at 00:32:17 from 65.39.15.181 user rdilley.
My take on AR's views was that it is OK to hunt or fish for useful ends (useful to the hunter or fisher, that is). The Ds had no ethical qualms in taking Jacky's rabbit or in learning to guddle for trout. The Swallows fished for their trout supper and Roger's whopper was sent to Holly Howe for supper there. Captain Flint had an array of guns that would make any NRA member feel at home and, as noted, there was no hint of criticism at the impending start of the grouse season.
What I feel he disapproved of was "trophy" hunting (the D&G's pike did get stuffed -- but who says it wasn't eaten first?). Jemmerling didn't shoot birds to eat them, but just to show them off. George Owdon didn't collect eggs for eating but to sell for show. I can imagine him empathising with the Canadian who goes into the woods and shoots a moose so he can freeze the meat and eat through the winter, and condemning his counterpart who leaves the carcass to rot so he can strut home with the antlers.
Or am I just projecting my own position onto AR? As a kid, I used to go fishing with my father (in the UK). I disappointed him at 18 or so by saying I couldn't go on enjoying sticking a hook into a fishes mouth only to remove it and return the fish (it was all catch and release).
I haven't read AR's fishing works. Does he express an opinion on catch and release? And can anyone identify any of the good guys in the SA series who are simply trophy collectors? I can't think of one, but I may be missing the obvious.
Doesn't AR lead you down some interesting byways?