Real-Life Communication
Pete Buist, a commercial trapper, wishes he had known one thing
before he jumped into his career. "I wish I had known how political the whole
concept was going to get."
Since commercial hunters and trappers kill
animals and sell the meat or fur, they are often targeted by animal rights
activists, according to Buist. Hate mail is common.
According to Buist,
animal rights activists are trying to put hunters and trappers out of a job.
"The thing that bothers me the most is knowing that there are so many misguided
environmental and animal rights zealots out there who think my whole lifestyle
should be banned and are working hard to do so," explains Buist.
"Is
destroying a lifestyle and the whole winter economy of many people, including
virtually every native village in Alaska, worth it for their 'peace of mind?'"
Protesters
are able to strengthen their cause by targeting a segment of the population.
"So many people wear leather, so many people eat at McDonald's, it is hard
to get people angry about that," says Carol Wynne of the Fur Information Council.
In
fact, says Wynne, fur trappers are working with conservation officers to trap
these animals without harming the environment.
Environmental and wildlife
management groups disagree with the ideas held by animal rights activists.
They believe trappers and hunters are good for the environment, although this
may not be apparent at first glance.
Because you are the president
of your local trapper's association and teach trapper education courses occasionally,
you have been chosen by other members of the association to present a case
for trapping to an angry mob of animal rights activists, who have actually
invited a trapper to their forum. You expect to be booed and hissed.
Nonetheless,
you are excited about the presentation because it gives you a chance to explain
why you believe trappers and hunters help animals.
When you make this
presentation, you want to communicate four thoughts:
- Trappers and hunters are some of the first conservationists. You survey
the land.
- Animals kill other animals, animals starve -- nature is cruel.
- Trapper education courses teach humane trapping methods.
- Fur is a renewable resource. Good trappers never trap a whole population.
Write your presentation now.