Thought I'd get a reaction.
Two things.
The tradition and rituals help weed out the trigger-happy types who are reckless or just want to whack as many animals as possible.
Because these traditions instill a sense of belonging, a code of conduct, respect for nature and the animals and a sense of honor into new hunters - and not least it's a part of the total experience where (perhaps) shooting an animal is only a part of it.
Your entire status in the hunting community depends on how you adhere to and respect these traditions.
Those who don't respect the written and unwritten rules tend to be shunned by the hunters, in some cases actually reported (and my lose their license) and they don't get invited to the attractive events.
There may also be a kind of pagan-touch in this as well. Post-hunt rituals being ancient.
So I firmly believe there is a real danger of reducing hunting to a blood-sport where the aim is to blast as many animals as possible, if these traditions are abolished.
The second thing is: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
In other words what seems like a benign thing to do, may cause more harm than good.
I illustrated it very graphically in my last post.
Seals. In many places seals are left alone to breed freely and being cute animals they are not culled. But seals are also brilliant hunters who can hoover a fjord of fish in a surprisingly short while.
Gulls. It's not allowed to cull gulls here. And gulls are world class opportunists. So having lost their fear of humans they don't hesitate in going straight for your face in order to steal your food.
But crows, one of the most intelligent animals on the planet (perhaps the most intelligent) are widely considered a vermin - not least because they eat eggs from other and cuter birds.
So culling and hunting and rituals is not black and white, so I object to calling something wrong because some aspects seems wrong to some people.
I think it's better to discuss the methods.
Example: Pilot whales being hunted at Faeroe Islands.
Traditionally that was a vital part of diet for the islanders, especially if the fishing went wrong.
It's still an important part of the diet. And Pilot Whales are sorta-dolphin like and cute - they are also good hunters, not least when hunting in packs.
So the islands hunt them, beach them and kill them with long knives.
- Fair enough I personally can't have any qualms about a number of Pilot Whales being hunted - but I do not like the methods! Today it should be possible to kill the whales faster and more humane so to speak than by using knives.
Pilot whales like pigs are pretty intelligent animals, it should and must be possible to kill both species in as humane way as possible.
ADDED: And as for hunting: I do believe bow-hunting should be banned. A rifle is better and more humane alternative. And I object to telescopic sights being "less sport" than iron sights. That's bull dust! You kill the animal as fast and as efficient as possible or you don't shoot.
