I don't believe the Maltesse or Cypriots are "hunters" at all, so I don't see a basis for comparison. They're greedy capitalists, nothing more. The comparison could much easier be made between them and the fat cats on wallstreet. Out to make a quick buck, no regard for those left in the wake of their behaviour. We hunt as a passion, as a passtime, as a hobby, as a tradition. We don't sell our meat, we feed our family with it, or donate it to those in need. These 'poachers' aren't 'hunting' at all, they're using traps and glue-sticks to kill the most game that they can, so that they can make the most money that they can.
I'm pretty thick skinned, so I'm not "INSULTED" that you even compare 'us' to 'them" , but it is a bit rediculous. Makes for good discussion though.

What makes Hunters in the united states fill responsible to preserve and nurture are wildlife its natural habitat ? This is a good question and I enjoyed the article above asking this. I think it quite simple with a little thinking and knowledge of are history. In America we did once hunt a lot of are wildlife close to the brink of no extension . When are ancestors the settlers and frontiersmen first moved here we depended heavily on wild life not only for food and clothing for us to survive, but to make money as well. Then this funny thing happened, trapping and finding game became harder and we started to realize that if we want to use our wild life, our natural resources we must take care of them and give back. Kind of sounds like the native Americans had it right after all? however Once we as a group started to realize this Laws begin to be passed such as an law established in 1896 in a court case called gear vs Connecticut were the supreme court decided that wildlife should belong to the people of the united states, and that each stat shall establish laws to preserve and manage its wildlife. This became a big step in our history of conservation and established that hunting is a privilege not a right .Hunters, outdoorsmen and fishermen begin to teach these lesions to there sons and daughters and it become apart of our teachings and our hunting and fishing heritage.

My last and only experience shooting songbirds was at the age of six, and resulted in a whipping and the confiscation of my Red Ryder BB gun by my Father.

It is my understanding most European hunting is done on private land only by people who can afford it. Here in the States we all still have a stake in the game and can hunt on public lands and most of us want to protect our resources. Hopefully frown on poaching.

They will be sorry when all the birds are gone. I pity the fools. Market hunting has never worked out long term. The unregulated are fishing out the oceans as well. Mankind has devised more efficient methods of harvest, so without enforced regulation, species are doomed. Speaking of songbirds, does anyone have a clue as to how many are killed in this country alone by house cats?

As a kid, my dad used to tell me about when he served in Europe in the late 50's, he could always tell who was an American driver - the American driver actually "stopped" at the stop sign. His point - Americans believe the rule of law.

Go figure - our nations wildlife is better for it.

We seem to be hunting the wrong game. We need an open seasom on spammers. I kinda like the word decimate but eradicate would seem to fit better for them.

Uh, cause we're Americans, and they're losahs. This is basic, guys.

We are a society born of liberty. People often think of liberty as just freedom. It isn't Liberty is freedom with responsibility. You mess up, you pay the price. So perhaps the answer to your question is that responsibility accompanies liberty, and since we are a land of liberty, we have shown a higher level of responsibility in our land- and animal- management.

we're all just roothless killers, admit it. we dont hunt, we put a pile of corn out and shoot whatever decides to eat it that day, its not a sport, or an act of nature, just us as humans tryin to show our dominance over an animal...and believe me, i take full advantage of it....hunters...were just sitters...sittin there waitin on somethin to pass by or walk out.

Market hunting about killed off all the bison,the market
hunters in Fla killed off a lot of birds just for their feathers,if they keep it up over in Cyprus,they will kill all the birds off there,then wonder why there are none left.
Here,we have learned that species need to be managed,and the population kept at or above a certain level so that we can hunt,and then when our children start hunting,there will be game left for them to hunt.
We observe the hunting seasons here,don't take game when the animals have just had their fawns,or whatever for each species,so that the young animals get the chance to survive until they are older. Remember how many states had antler size rules? or the old point system for ducks?
We followed the rules,now we still have game to hunt,and so will future generations.