MEGAN COLES
Northern Pen

Three Trinity-Conception area men were charged with illegal hunting last week after residents in Conception Bay North complained of hearing shots fired alongside their homes.

They had licenses for the Northern Peninsula where, as you well know, moose are maggoty. For whatever reason, these three dudes decided to hunt a little handier to home. Bright idea wise guys. Another bright idea they had was to consume alcohol while hunting as two of the men have been charged with possession (with intent to drink.)

I assumed this last drinking part. As a person who has a beverage or two now and then, I don't foresee driving around with it in the truck without the intention of consuming it. Highly unlikely. Guns and alcohol do not safe bedfellows make. I don't care what you weigh or how many you tossed back at the Halloween party last month, guns and beers are dangerous and can be fatal. It's just plain irresponsible. Mind you, I'm a big fan of the moose hunt and game hunting and fishing in general. I think maintaining a diet largely dependent on wild game is the most responsible, forward thinking thing we as Newfoundlanders can do for our environment and ourselves. I say, let them eat moose, let them eat it all the time! And here are my reasons why.

Our bovine fetish has been encouraged by Canadian and American ranchers alike with little thought given to the environmental ramifications of hauling into the McDonalds drive-through every other day. Animal agriculture is responsible for local pollution including animal waste and chemical runoff as well as being a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Environmentalists assert that cows are worse than cars and encourage us to decrease our consumption of meat as a means to decrease our carbon footprint, in essence the negative effect we have on the planet. If you refuse to believe you have a negative effect on the planet I suggest you visit your friendly neighbourhood dump. Certain fringe environmental groups insist that we must all resort to vegetarianism (some radicals say veganism, good grief!) in order to prevent flooding caused by global warming.

Now, I agree our mass consumption of meat (especially of the beefy variety) is out of control and that decreasing our daily intake would benefit our waistlines while fattening our pocket books but I am also realistic about Newfoundlanders turning to provincial vegetarianism. As if. What I suggest is...well, moose meat! Less meat on average of course, help your planet, help your province, help your cholesterol (sure cow's not even good for ya). But when you do decide a burger is in order, toss a couple moose patties on the bbq. It's leaner, less expensive, environmentally friendly, sustainable and plentiful. Not to mention the fact that increased moose consumption might make driving along the Viking Trail slightly less stressful.

World hunger increases as meat consumption in Asian countries like India and China increases with it's developing middle class. This is due largely to the increasing amount of grain used to nourish livestock. Government corn subsidies are in large part why massive cattle ranches can maintain profits while keeping meat prices at our local grocery stores reasonable enough for us to purchase it daily. Grazing land is unnecessary as the grain can be fed to livestock in close quarters allowing for a greater number of cattle. This in turn frees up this land for more grain farming while contributing to deforestation, cutting down the most vital players in our war against global warming. Animals, especially cows, release methane and nitrous oxide which is pound for pound, thirty times more harmful than carbon dioxide.

I'm no cattle rancher, nor am I a scientist but this system seems awash with problems. Our daily consumption of the almighty steak is encouraging tight feed stations where animals live in abnormal proximity, stomping around in, what diplomatically can only be referred to as their own waste while letting off methane and nitrous oxide bombs that indirectly melt polar ice caps. Good Lord! Is a roast really worth the consequences and concerns involved in obtaining it?

So lets zig where the west zags. Let's become the leader in wild game consumption! Newfoundland the green. I like a cheeseburger as well as the next, what I suggest is on a regular basis we all make them moose cheeseburgers. All told it's the better choice, the responsible choice.

And yes, there are occasions where a tenderloin is in order but these should be special occasions. I'm going to research getting a hunting license right now. Imagine. Got to get me moose b'y, it's the environmentally thing to do!