Gruesome Girl Scout Activity Denounced

[Xen]

as reported by a "whats new" Netscape pop up window

The 13 girls ages 10 to 12 years old in Girl Scout Troop 34 in Fairbanks, Alaska are killing beavers--learning how to find the animals' dens, laying lethal traps to snare them, and then skinning them--as part of a state flood-management program, reports The Associated Press. That has incensed the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, whose spokeswoman decried the activity, insisting Girl Scouts should be "stewards of wildlife, not abusers." The Girl Scouts don't see it that way.


The troop participated in the flood-management program at the invitation of Alaska's Department of Fish and Game; such activities are commonplace in Alaska. The state-run program is designed for kids as young as 7 years old. It even has a name: Take a Kid Trapping. The goal is to control flooding and other damage caused by an increasing number of beavers along the lower Chena River in Fairbanks. AP reports that the troop had the pelts tanned, and the girls plan to make hats and mittens once a dozen hides are collected. They're also interested in cooking the beaver meat.


Trapping has a long history and heritage in the state, so Girl Scout leaders insist this is a "non-issue." "Trapping may not be pretty, but the girls understand the seriousness and huge responsibility of taking a life," Troop 34 leader Dona Boylan told AP. "They understand that when humans impact their environment, they become ultimately responsible for maintaining a healthy population of the animals they have to coexist with in these urban centers."

 

[stalin006]

wow..... what s this? hitler youth??

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

I don't think I will be buying any cookies from them this year

 

[stalin006]

Originally posted by SuperBeaverInc.
I don't think I will be buying any cookies from them this year

well this explains the inexplicale good taste

 

[Speedo]

Whats the problem? It keeps beavers under control, it gets kids out from in front of their TVs for a while, and maybe teaches them something interesting.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

Not too long ago, our ancestors did this kind of stuff. I don't see a problem either.

 

[Perfection]

So, if I take an 10 year old to go hunting is that immoral too? Or are you just a PETA nut?

 

[Mrogreturns]

Originally posted by Perfection
So, if I take an 10 year old to go hunting is that immoral too? Or are you just a PETA nut?

Hunting is part of the human tradition.

I think hunting should be allowed provided that the hunter uses only weapons that they have made themselves from wood, stone, and animal fibres. They must also give a binding undertaking that if they are injured while hunting they must only accept medical care of the sort available to our early anscestors.

 

[andrewgprv]

I don't see a problem.

 

[Perfection]

Originally posted by Mrogreturns
I think hunting should be allowed provided that the hunter uses only weapons that they have made themselves from wood, stone, and animal fibres. They must also give a binding undertaking that if they are injured while hunting they must only accept medical care of the sort available to our early anscestors.

Why do you say that?

 

[amadeus]

PETA shows again it's true colors - more interested in preserving animal life than the life of fellow humans.

 

[Mrogreturns]

Originally posted by Perfection
Why do you say that?

Well its really a reaction to the sort of hunter who claims they do it for the challange- test of skill and to be close to nature.

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
PETA shows again it's true colors - more interested in preserving animal life than the life of fellow humans.

Well, besides rats and cockroaches, we are the least likely species to be driven to extinction in the next little while. And I'm afraid I must take offense at your assumption that any person is my 'fellow' human. I refuse to associate myself with the vast majority of our species.

That said, I don't really have a problem with the girl scouts undertaking this activity in the "eww... little girls shouldn't kill things" sense. I am more concerned with the idea of killing beavers to discourage flooding that merely inconveniences humans.

 

[Xen]

your refusal stops NOTHING- like it or not they ARE your fellows

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Originally posted by Xen
your refusal stops NOTHING- like it or not they ARE your fellows

Well, I disagree... and if it came to a choice between laying down my life for a human or a species of animal I don't think that a member of our petty, foolish, dangerous race would be recieving my protection.

 

[Perfection]

Originally posted by Mrogreturns
Well its really a reaction to the sort of hunter who claims they do it for the challange- test of skill and to be close to nature.

So shooting a rifle is not a skill? I'd beg to differ!

 

[Mrogreturns]

Originally posted by Perfection
So shooting a rifle is not a skill? I'd beg to differ!

Yes its a skill but not one that fits in well with the "we are only doing what mankind has done since the dawn of time" line.

 

[puglover]

Originally posted by stalin006
wow..... what s this? hitler youth??

Oh no! Not the Scouting = hitler youth thing again!

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

Yeah, what have you got against Hitler?

 

[cgannon64]

Don't demean his Youth program by comparing them to the Scouts.