Thank you for this, Jeremy. You have covered ground here that deserves several papers of its own!
What your piece makes me think about is where this argument is heading. 'Science-based' is losing its legitimacy as a shield, and I think some hunting advocacy groups (like Wild Origins) sense it. What I am noticing recently is a retreat from science-based justifications toward moral complexity arguments instead. Intent, respect, relationship to the land, stewardship. The strategy becomes less about defending the science and more about dissolving moral boundaries until nothing can be clearly right or wrong and any opposition becomes 'moral imperialism.'
I very much appreciate your kind words, Paul. Feedback, such as yours, keeps me motivated to continue writing about wildlife conservation issues. Cheers
We actually live in the Wycliffe area, so we are likely only a few kms away from where you are. I am currently working on a new article about grizzlies that may interest you. I hope to publish it later this month. Cheers
Thank you for this, Jeremy. You have covered ground here that deserves several papers of its own!
What your piece makes me think about is where this argument is heading. 'Science-based' is losing its legitimacy as a shield, and I think some hunting advocacy groups (like Wild Origins) sense it. What I am noticing recently is a retreat from science-based justifications toward moral complexity arguments instead. Intent, respect, relationship to the land, stewardship. The strategy becomes less about defending the science and more about dissolving moral boundaries until nothing can be clearly right or wrong and any opposition becomes 'moral imperialism.'
And that shift itself reveals something. If 'science-based' were genuinely sufficient, why invoke ethics and sentience at all ( e.g. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/2026/04/16/why-claims-of-sentience-cant-guide-black-bear-policy)? The very fact that they are now engaging with moral territory, even to obscure it, suggests the science argument no longer holds the room the way it once did.
So it is so important to keep challenging this from different angles. Thank you for this thorough work. Chipping away, one piece at a time.
This might be of interest too https://judymalone.substack.com/p/hunters-as-conservationists-rules?r=1jz8mh
Thanks Judy. I will definitely read it!
Thank you Jeremy.
I was directed here by your comment on a similar article by David Stalling.
I’m glad I was.
Excellent article!
I very much appreciate your kind words, Paul. Feedback, such as yours, keeps me motivated to continue writing about wildlife conservation issues. Cheers
I see you are in Cranbrook.
We live out on St Mary Prairie.
Definitely going to read your article again and look forward to more.
We actually live in the Wycliffe area, so we are likely only a few kms away from where you are. I am currently working on a new article about grizzlies that may interest you. I hope to publish it later this month. Cheers
I will look forward to it.
Cheers…