The Right to Hunt

by James Biser Whisker

Book Overview

The classic defence of hunting, brought up to date by its author, the acknowledged dean of hunting philosophy, Jame B Whisker. " You'll never find a better guide to the philosophy behind hunting. This unique book is not the ordinary hunting guide telling you where to find the game animals, it's guide to the ideas, the history and the politics of hunting that shape today's debate. This is genuine, useful intellectual ammunition for hunting activists...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0884270424
• ISBN13: 9780884270423
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: North River Press
• Length: 173 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.

Customer Reviews

a good contribution to the debate

Many people enjoy hunting and subsist on what they hunt. They are careful, thoughtful people and this book clearly expounds the reasons they are hunters. With the growing controversy surrounding hunting, and the politically correct new-kids-on-the-block attempting to overturn generations of tradition and respectful hunting because of trends in popular "thought", books on the positive aspects of this tradition are needed. Whisker's book covers his side, and some chapters try to deal with opposing viewpoints, but in reality readers have plenty of opposing viewpoints out there and Whisker includes these only to make his readers aware that HE is aware. Other books in this tradition that go well with Whisker: "Living Wild and Domestic" by Robert Kimber, Jim Posewitz's "Inherit the Hunt: A journey into the heart of American Hunting";James Swan's "In Defense of Hunting"; Books by David Petersen: "A Hunter's Heart: Honest Essays on BloodSport" and "Heartsblood: Hunting, Spirituality, and Wildness in America"; and the well written and philosophical "Meditations on Hunting" by Jose Ortega Y Gasset. While reviews of this book focus on their particular side of the argument, potential buyers should be aware that this is a positive rendition of hunting and that they will be disatisfied, as many reviewers were, that everyone didn't agree with their own viewpoint. As hunters are often voracious readers and think for themselves, they will find much that they already agree with here--but articulated simply and straightforwardly. Whisker cannot support a side he does not believe in, and frankly I trust him only because he speaks from his heart and experience, not because he carries a repetitive mantra handed to him by someone else. I'm thankful he contributed to the debate.

Is Hunting a "Right" or a "Privilege?"

The answer has various consequences. If it is a "right" it carries greater protection from intrusion. If it is a "privilege" it is something that cannot only be intruded on, but also denied.Dr. Whisker presents several cogent arguments on several different grounds (constitution, nature, religion, etc.) why hunting is a "right" not just a "privilege."In the academic tradition, the work is heavily documented and researched. And the socratic method is followed. But it is also an easy read for everyone to understand.Highly recommended.