PIG HUNTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24714, 17 September 1941, Page 4

PIG HUNTING

USE OF BOW AND ARROW RENEWAL OF CONTROVERSY ARCHERS’ CASE HEARD The deadliness of the arrow when used in wild pig \hunting was emphasised by Mr E. Strang at a meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals yesterday. Mr Strang was a member of the hunting expedition from which the complaint arose that the shooting of wild pigs by means of an arrow constituted cruelly. There was no possibility of cruelty being involved in the shooting of the >;igs. Mr Strang said. Experts in the United States had proved definitely that the killing of animals bv means of a bow and arrow was quicker than by a bullet. He said that in the killing of all animals a certain amount of cruelty was involved, but in the case of pigs the extent was not so great, as a pig had a chance to fight back, whereas such animals as deer weie incapable of resisting. Over-exuberant Hunter

Unfortunately in the episode in question no fewer than five arrows had been fired into the animal, Mr Strang continued: but this was solely due to the over-exuberance of a young huntsman who had fired the arrows when the first one would have been sufficient to cause death. ff'he party had with them four dogs which had baled tip the P2i before it was shot, and there was no possible chance of its escaping, if it had been onlv wounded. When questioned as to the possibility of a pig escaping with an arrow in its leg or some other part of its body, Mr Strang said that, after being shot, the animal could not go very far and death would come very soon.' There was no possible chance of cruelty, he contended. In ordinary circumstances the range from which an arrow would prove fatal was 40 yards, and the archer always aimed at the body cavity, with the purpose of piercing the heart or lungs, so that one arrow would bring death. Mr Strang added thaj, the snort of hunting with bow and arrow gave the animal a fairer chance and he hoped to see it adopted in all countries. Not Convinced After some discussion the committee decided that in this particular case no cruelty had been inflicted. Members were not convinced, however, that in general the sport did not involve cruelty.