Hunting, shooting and fishing

I was struck by the number of people who were against Palin because she was a 'moose killer'. Here in North Idaho, and indeed all around the USA, a huge number of people hunt. They do so for a number of reasons.

Free meat. OK, you need to pay for the licence and tag, but why pay for expenive beef when you have access to much cheaper (and tastier) meat?

Male bonding. It's undeniably a mostly male thing. Many go off into the mountains for the weekend with friends and sons, many go for a week at a time. It's a beatiful place to be, surrounded by amazing scenery and wildlife. Just make sure you wear the hunter's orange, humans can look amazingly like elk sometimes.

Guns. Many have guns and they like to use them.

Put these three reasons together and you have fun providing good cheap food for your family and friends. My neighbor has given me plenty. Deer is always welcome. Elk steaks are great. Moose is best in burgers. Bear makes great sausage. Don't be sqeamish, enjoy!