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駱芳美 世界新聞網 北美華文新聞、華商資訊

January 31, 2012 06:00 AM | 308 次 | 0  | 4  |  | 

        為了保持生態平衡，美國政府在特定季節中允許人民獵鹿，此北美人秋季的盛事，也是許多人談論的話題，妹夫也不例外，從很小就作起了獵人夢。為圓他的夢，約在十歲左右，父親就教他練習射擊；十二歲時為他註冊課程，學習安全操作槍枝的方法，領到可參與打獵的證書；十四歲的聖誕節送他獵槍當禮物，鄭重地提醒安全使用槍枝的法則：「看待每枝槍如同它已上膛般地慎重。不要把槍口對著你不想射擊的對象。」並帶他赴野外體會打獵的滋味與練習安全使用槍枝的方法。雖然所得的獵物不豐，但不愛打獵的父親，親自帶他踏上打獵這條路的舉動，讓妹夫銘感在心；而父親對尊重槍枝與安全使用的提醒與教導，讓他不視打獵為兒戲。

        之後，每年秋季，與友人相約打獵，成了妹夫生活的重要部分，打獵的時間不定，短則一個週末，長則十來天。出門前，他們得先確定打獵的地點與申請執照，及了解允許獵射的數目，例如有些地方每人限獵一隻鹿，要獵取母鹿需要特別的執照等，以免使快樂的打獵心情因觸法而遭破壞。到達地點後，他們先觀察地形，摸清楚獵物的作息，以利打獵策略的制定。就獵鹿而言，因為鹿會在晚上出來覓食，該時間獵取是違法的，介於太陽上山的前半小時至太陽下山的後半小時才是合法的獵鹿時段。所以打獵時，他們晚上睡在車廂裡養精蓄銳，一大早則開始尋找出來覓食正要回巢的鹿。

        然而，鹿雖有色盲，對移動物體的感受及嗅覺都很敏銳，所以要捕獲並不容易，且當已察覺到有獵人來時便會找地方躲起來，所以中午以後很難找到鹿。妹夫與友人須以機智的策略，一人負責引起鹿的注意，讓牠們朝另一個等待射擊的人的方向跑去。射擊者需要對獵取的靶瞄準清楚，反應要迅速敏銳，才能有所斬獲。在打獵過程中能訓練獵人的團隊精神、配合地理環境的需要彈性運用策略及問題解決能力，難怪有人將打獵列為一項運動。

        不過，讓妹夫樂此不疲的主要原因，是打獵時須靜候獵物，他可趁此享受安靜獨處的時刻並整理思緒。且因打獵的地點通常是荒郊野外的叢林，有機會與志同道合的友伴一起拋開惱人的俗事、倘佯在大自然裡享受美景、分享生活點滴、交換意見心得，並同為一個目標而攜手奮鬥的感受，更讓他樂不思蜀。

        更難得的是，雖然妹夫為出外打獵減少與家人相處的時間而內疚，但小姑卻貼心地表明對先生嗜好的尊重，看來妹夫的打獵故事還可持續發展吧。

My Brother-in-Law, the Hunter

Fang-Mei Law

         As a young child, whenever I read stories about hunters, I always felt that they were just make-believe people because I had never met one in real life before.  However, ever since my sister married a man who enjoys hunting as a hobby, he has told me many real-life hunting stories.

         My brother-in-law Dave has dreamt of being a hunter from an early age.  Knowing this, his father started training him in shooting skills at age 10 and started sending him to a class for gun safety training in order to obtain a certification for hunting at age 12. At age 14, Dave’s father gave him his first gun as a Christmas gift and reminded him of the most important principals of gun safety: “Treat every gun like it’s loaded and never point your gun at something you do not want to shoot.”  Afterwards, Dave’s father took him out to the woods to practice hunting for the first time.  Even though they were not very successful, Dave still appreciated it because he knew that his father was not interested in hunting himself.  From his father actions, Dave was able to train to become a hunter learned to treat both hunting and the gun with respect.

        Ever since then, Dave has gone hunting with his friend every fall and it has become an important part of his life.  Before they go out hunting, they have to apply for a hunting license and find out how many deer they are allowed to hunt.  In order to keep an ecological balance, the United States government sets a policy to allow deer hunting during a specific season. For instance, in many places, hunters are limited to one deer per person, and a special permit is required for hunting a doe. By applying for a deer hunting license, Dave and friend are able to avoid any unexpected trouble by going against the law and ruining an exciting hunting trip.  

        After arriving at the hunting site, Dave and his friend plan their hunting strategies by observing surrounding natural features and the routine of the target animal. For example, deer usually search for food at night time.  It is illegal to go deer hunting at night, so the best time to find the deer are half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset, when the deer are coming to and from their food search.  Therefore, when they go deer hunting, Dave and his friend would slept in the van during the night and wake up in the early morning to catch the deer.  Although deer are colorblind, they are very sensitive to the movement and smell of humans.  When they sense that hunters are around, deer run away or hide and in the afternoon, it becomes harder to find a deer. Therefore, a good strategy Dave and his friend use is to have one person drive that deer toward the other person, whose responsibility is to catch them.  To successfully catch the deer, this person has to aim his gun at his target quickly and accurately.  These hunting processes trained Dave to be a good team player and helped him develop the ability to apply strategies with flexibility based on natural features and sound problem-solving skills.  With all of the above functions, it is no wonder some people call hunting a sport.

       In addition, because hunting involves having to wait for long periods of times trying to catch the animal, Dave had a lot of personal quiet time to think. It gave him a chance to put the reality behind him and enjoy nature.  Working towards the same goals with the best friend allowed him to feel closer and more comfortable.  Given all these reasons, it’s no wonder Dave enjoys hunting so much.

      Although my brother-in-law initially felt guilty for taking family time out for hunting, my sister-in-law has indicted her support and respect for his hobby.  With this, I believe my brother-in–law’s hunting story will be continue and expand.