Should Ted Nugent Stop Making Bear Rugs and Start Giving Bear Hugs?

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This week, the State of Florida began selling licenses for its upcoming bear hunt, the first of its kind in the state in more than 20 years.

And it’s no surprise that one of the first people to grab one of those permits was rock legend and hunting and gun advocate Ted Nugent, according to a Detroit Free Press report. If there’s one thing The Nuge enjoys more than hunting and killing wildlife in its natural habitat, it’s telling anyone who’ll listen how cool he is for enjoying hunting and killing wildlife in its natural habitat.

»Via the Detroit Free Press

Nugent has been making a point of telling those who object to the bear hunt, which will be Oct. 24 throughout central Florida, that the reason for the state-sponsored culling is because the bear population has been causing an increase in nuisance complaints. And let’s face it, that’s one of this country’s greatest founding principles: If something annoys us enough, we get to kill it.

»RELATED: Predictably, Ted Nugent Defends Dentist Who Killed Lion Cecil

Nugent also pushed back against critics like the Humane Society of the United States who have claimed hunters are only in it for the trophies. Take this not-ironic-at-all remark he made to the Free Press:

“When we kill a bear in Florida and everywhere, we cherish the meat. It’s the sweetest pork you’ve ever eaten. How dare [the Humane Society of the United States] claim that we don’t utilize every scrap of this precious animal, cherished for the gift that it is. The rugs are magnificent.”

A little advice, Ted: It’s not that there aren’t valid and important reasons behind Florida’s bear hunt, in particular, and hunting, in general. It’s that you don’t have to continually talk about the divine awesomeness of hunting and hunters, especially when you’re telling it to people who have little interest in it. You’re like that friend who won’t stop trying to convert you into an avid soccer fan. Let it go, Ted. We don’t want to be Regina George to your Gretchen Wieners. But we well if we have to.

YOUR TURN: What do you think about Ted Nugent and his views on the central Florida bear hunt? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.