Book Review: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Hunting, by Frank Miniter, Executive Editor of American Hunter magazine, published by Regency Publishing, a division of Eagle Publishing, Washington, DC, copyright, 2007.
I found this book while browsing the shelves at, of all places, Barnes and Noble Bookstore in West Palm Beach, Florida. Always on the lookout for books that actually promote our sport, I was intrigued.
The book is well written, easy to read, and full of facts on why hunters are necessary for the survival of not only big game species, but also for the survival of forests; see page 157, where the author quotes the manager of the Great Swamp National Wildlife refuge, in saying that if deer hunting were terminated, the eight thousand acre property would be deforested within a few years. Farmers and ranchers, as deer and elk wreck havoc on farm lands, and predators cause many losses of livestock each year. Hunters are needed to control the herds. Predator control is also necessary, as Miniter points out, in cases where species, such as Big Horn Sheep are being re-introduced and need some control of the predators to allow the herds to become established.
Other points Miniter brings out in the book are the fact that vegetarians actually kill animals, because farmers, and especially organic farmers, routinely kill pests to protect their crops. As the label ‘organic’ means that no pesticides or other chemical deterrents to discourage geese, turkeys, deer and rabbits, hunters or paid damage control step in to eliminate the pests so they can grow vegetables for the markets.
Miniter brings in how hunters pay for conservation efforts in all 50 states, how wildlife is being saved worldwide because it makes sense for landowners to make money by charging outfitters and hunters to kill the game that is over running their land, rather than paying someone to do it.
He also brings in the fact that in many places where hunting is outlawed, such as some parts of Florida and California, predators are attacking people and pets. These animals, due to the fact that they are not hunted, have lost their fear of man and are extremely dangerous because of it. Alligators, bears, cougars, coyotes and now wolves are becoming a danger to people who live on the edge of their ranges. Deer, also, due to deer/car collisions, are extremely deadly to people.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend to anyone who hunts, especially those who have to deal with anti-hunting sentiment. I know, and he admits, most anti-hunters have closed minds, but this book gives hunters scientific evidence with facts and figures to dispute nearly every argument.
In the back Miniter provides a list of Wildlife Departments, Youth Programs, and Hunter-Conservation Organizations for hunters to join to help promote wildlife and their sport.
Cynthia J. Vannoy-Rhoades
