Hunters' challenge to authority (2)

It is unfortunate that The Sunday Times readers have to witness the incessant pathetic diatribes of the Maltese hunting community justifying their aggressive macho hunting prowess on indefensible creatures who happen to be in the line of fire on their unfortunate detour to Malta on their way to North Africa from Europe.

In my humble estimation it is not some hunters who m'humiex nies, meaning uncivilised, presumably, but the whole lot of them! All forms of hunting should be banned completely, especially in a small territorial space such as Malta. There is no need for the Maltese to contribute to the reduction and extinction of entire species. At this rate we will be the only ones left around to hunt each other and lick the wounds.

Hunting is passé. It is barbaric and uncivilised. Hunting is an affront to creation and a sense of moral ethical decency. Our paleolithic ancestors may have had to hunt and forage for pure survival and not for the selfish pleasure of inflicting harm on creation or for lack of a better way to keep our unpolished and unrefined instincts busy.

Hunting is also a cowardly act since the miserable creatures which are being trapped, shot down or decimated, have not an iota of a chance against the sophisticated weaponry of the rabid abuser who awaits them in camouflaged disguise.

I must admit that I left Malta many moons ago and I can't even imagine that there is anything left in the skies to distract attention, except the occasional petard in the festa season. It is ironic that in Maltese circles abroad, when the subject of the environment of the beautiful Maltese Islands is brought up, the common reaction is usually one of a distinctive poignant derision and contempt about the uncivilised, salvagg nature of the Maltese and his foolhardy attempts at shooting down defenceless creatures to stuff them or devour them in an aromatic consommé in one of those village culs de sac.

A mature or civilised discussion about hunting should be a non-starter. All should be fined and jailed without unmitigated mercy since they cause the unwarranted destruction of beautiful life and creation in God's good earth.

We, the non-hunting community, have rights too. Why should I stare endlessly at the blue crisp Maltese skies without the occasional interruption of a migratory bird? Why should I visit and spend my tourist dollars when I can practically go anywhere on the planet to enjoy the uninterrupted sights and the sounds of Nature?