This week, we’re talking about the importance of hunting.
In a bit of a surprise move, The Atlantic published a superb article explaining why America needs hunting more than many might imagine. So, I thought it would be a good idea to have the author of the piece on. That’s why Andrew Exum is joining the show.
He describes the role that hunting plays in conserving American wildlife. He notes that it’s not just important for wildlife population control either. Taxes on guns, ammunition, and hunting license fees are also a primary contributor to conservation funding.
Andrew describes his background as a veteran and former Department of Defense official from the South who now lives in Washington, D.C. but still hunts regularly. We also discuss why he views guns like the AR-15 very differently from hunting rifles, and he responds to some common critiques of that worldview.
He then describes his view that hunting is also an important component of sustainable living. And he gave me some advice as me and my girlfriend prepare to take our first hunter safety course later this month.
Plus, Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about Boston doubling down on delaying gun-carry permits.
You can listen to the show on your favorite podcasting app or by clicking here. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel. Reload Members get access on Sunday, as always. Everyone else can listen on Monday.
2 Responses
As usual Stephen, you have some interesting guests on your podcasts. The guy who writes for the Atlantic, who is an avid hunter, was extremely thought provoking to say the least.What I do agree with him is on the need to educate youngsters about basic gun safety. Let me digress for a moment when I say as a Ham Radio Operator with an Amateur Extra Class License, I volunteer a lot of time as one of many volunteers involved in the testing of new folks to pass their licensing exams. Getting back to the subject of firearms, I was happy to hear his enthusiasm on educating youngsters on real gun safety. Thanks again for what you do to expose us to your sober assessment.
Thanks, Stephen. Yea, that was one of the interesting things to me about Andrew. He has a fairly unique worldview as a veteran who lives in DC and is an avid hunter but who also is critical of other aspects of gun culture.