Can Hunters Sell Their Game for Medicinal Reasons?

February 24, 2011

Question: If a person buys a hunting license and a bear tag and goes out and hunts a bear legally, then that bear belongs to that hunter. If that hunter takes all the usable parts of the bear, then those bear parts belong to that hunter. But if the bear and all of the usable parts belong to the hunter, then why can’t the hunter sell the parts of the bear to other cultures that can use them for medicinal reasons? Why do Americans think they have the right to tell other cultures what they can and can’t use in their beliefs of medicine, as long as the animals are taken legally? Who knows, maybe they can find a cure for illnesses that we don’t have today. I am a legal and ethical hunter who is about to drive out of this state for hunting because of all of the ridiculous laws, so please start thinking about changes in the laws in favor of making hunting more enjoyable for hunters  (James “Rufus” Smith)

Answer: California Fish and Game laws are designed to protect and preserve California’s wildlife resources. Through the enactment of these laws, the legislature grants people the privilege to take some species under very specific regulations, but has prohibited certain acts that are considered a great threat to the species’ continued existence. Selling the pieces and parts of a bear is only one example of the threats that endanger California wildlife.

According to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) retired Captain Phil Nelms, the prohibition on selling bear parts is needed to protect the bear population in California and not for any other purpose or reason. Whether or not these laws impact the religious and/or cultural practices of any ethnic group and whether they should be allowed to continue is a matter for the courts to determine. In the meantime, Fish and Game wardens will continue to apply and enforce these laws with sensitivity and the understanding that all people in California are affected one way or another by the resources we all share.

Ha.....my response woulda been....


Rufus,

Your desire to kill a bear simply to sell its junk enhancing parts disgusts me.  On your next out of state hunt please strongly consider staying there.

PS....if you're truly concerned about the virility of eastern cultures and not killing animals for profit please offer to take one of your ailing patients and teach them how to hunt. 

Nothing will inspire a more raucous night session with the misus quite like a primal big game hunt.

+1000

I never realized "more enjoyable" was synonymous with "more profitable"

every one has an ass
everyone has a hat
only special people are asshats