” Poaching/Subsistence”

” Poaching/Subsistence”

When is it okay to poach, and what is the line between poaching and subsistence? Is this a line you can decide, and what does the law say if you are poaching or just trying to feed yourself, and perhaps your family. Concerning “poaching” , I am not talking about “trophy” hunting. I do not advocate trophy hunting at all but that's just me. Poaching is mostly regarded as a bad thing,  hunting out of season  or over the given limit of whatever it is you are harvesting. That is one definition.

 The history of poaching  goes back to the “Kings Deer” in England. What that really meant, is any critter was against the law for a commoner to hunt. The poacher in many villages was a hero and looked up too, and is credited with helping the common man from starving to death. Catching a poacher was a big deal, for the Kings men. All sorts of methods were used. All kinds of camo was invented just for, and by the poacher, and also for the “overseer” of the Kings forest, mostly the sheriff. Some of these “costumes” are still used today.
Poachers were killed if caught. In a nutshell this is where our laws come from concerning poachers in this country.
Still a huge problem here , mostly for trophy, and rare items like the “gall” from a bear. The history of poaching in this country is a article for another time.

Subsistence hunting in today's world might be a hard thing for you to prove, and be accepted by a  court, if you are caught. I believe you would be walking a very fine line. That decision is up to you. We all have options.

If you are in a personal survival situation, and you are hunting your way out of being lost, confused, lost your mind for 3 days, or are otherwise in a strange, and remote place as far as being able to eat just to keep alive. This would not be too hard to prove, I would like to think. This would be investigated, and the evidence would be pretty clear in your favor.

A SHTF situation, and you are hunting out of season brings up other questions. Like, will there be anyone trying to uphold those poaching laws in the first place? I doubt that very much. However, I do feel if you are hunting, trapping etc, you will want to be silent as possible so as not to draw attention to you and your “camp”. After all others will be hunting as well, so you do not need to attract others, don't even let them know you “here”.

This brings up the method of harvesting  game. Shooting, trapping, bow and arrow, or? Many have hunted behind dogs. Trailing hounds “bay”, and can be heard a long ways, I have hunted behind many hounds, and believe me at times you can hear them two miles away and more.  In a SHTF you want to be as stealthy as possible.
Trapping, is silent for the most part, depending on what you are after. Subsistence harvesting in a SHTF will rule out some lawful practices. For instance, you can snare  deer and many other critters.

One of the methods I am really liking is the use of ‘Sighthounds” , not really used all that much in this country but we are missing a bet.  They are silent runners, and silent killers, will bring down anything from a bunny to a deer, antelope, elk, bear, lion, and most four legged critters. A pair or more of sighthounds could be a great asset. The Greyhounds, Salukies, Borzois, Scottish Deerhounds, Lurchers, and many others could bring in a lot of meat, and more than enough to feed themselves also. They would earn their keep. If they can,  many times will bring the “prize” back to you. Like bunnies and other smaller critters. Combos of dogs would work also, small terriers are known as “earth dogs”, meaning they go to ground, underground and bring out the critters they find there.

The question will be , when do you follow the law, and when to you employ the subsistence,  “unwritten law” of self preservation. You will have to answer those questions, and many others as well. I feel these are things you should address now, plan, and train as your heart and brains dictate.
Do not poach, I am not advocating that practice. However, a line in the sand could be drawn next week, when you, and your friends and this Dude, will have to fend for our family. By planning ahead you will ready and in  front of thousands of others.

By Dude McLean