It broke my heart to think hunting in Germany has changed so much that it would be unrecognizable. On reflection, I just don't believe it can be entirely true. Hunting with birds of prey was supposed to no longer exist after muzzle loading guns came to be, yet even I have had the privilege watching the amazing interaction between the birds, dogs, and men (also women). Muzzle loading guns were supposed to go away, when cartridge guns came to be, yet we still have special hunts and special seasons for primitive weapons (including bows as well as muzzle loaders). Hunting with double guns was supposed to be killed by the development of pump and autoloading shot guns over a century ago; yet here we are on a forum dedicated mostly to double and related guns. I had heard from others that the hare, pheasant, and partridge populations have gone down, but not away. I saw the beginning of this on my second tour when a lot of cover was lost by the conversion to cropland of ditches and other overgrown areas. At the same time, the population of pigs increased which put more stress on the small game. Even with this, hunting will continue. Unlike in the US, game in Germany has a direct economic value and is an important food and income source and hunting the is way this is realized. There will always be hunters, and they will always have guns (some of which will be drillings), hunters will always tell their grandchildren and great grandchildren how they hunted in the "old days". When the children grow up, they will want to do it the "old" as well as the "new" way. It is up to us to leave our heirs the wherewithal to keep the traditions alive, including the guns, tools and components to load ammo, books and other writings to inform them how and why. We always have to be sure we don't allow their rights to be lost because of some convenience for us.
Mike
Last edited by Der Ami; 04/29/25 09:52 AM.
