Interesting observations and opinions. Truth is there are fewer and fewer hunters here with the desire to make hunting more than the harvesting of game. So much of the appeal and masculine character associated with deer camps, the carrying or snow dragging of deer, back packing the meat, camp camaraderie, the night before preparations, predawn risings and camp duties etc. has been supplanted by 4WDs, ATVs, B & Bs and power winches etc. King mentioned duck and goose hunting in particular well I hunt both quite a lot and only on 2 hunts this year did I hear another groups guns and that from afar. I have a few freinds who hunt but there are few now younger than 50. As an aside there are more "non resident alien" hunters ( mostly US citizens ) hunting in Alberta than ever before according to Wildlife Services. There is a major push by the Outfitters Association to change the regulations to oblige non resident aliens to utilize outfitting services and prohibit do it on your own hunts. I hope that their efforts to change this legislation fail but they have been relentless in their efforts. King as to the 3" & 3 1/2" ammo - I really don't want to add any more discouragement to an already weakened fraternity. To me if hunters feel more confident in larger louder ammo go for it, of course where I hunt there are few if any houses so there is no one complaining about noise I suspect that it is much different near the coast where residents could be offended. Now for an encouraging word; a good freind is introducing his 12 year old to shotgunning this year and I am on the lookout for a nice light double for her. My own children attend the hunts with me and enjoy camp life. My wife took up archery this year with deer and moose hunting with bow and arrow to be on 2008 agenda. But NO Doubt hunting has lost it's allure for most and those of us who remain and attempt to recruit new members to enjoy what we know to be wholesome and healthy have lots of opposition.
