Central Library
Don't Direct Hatred Toward Hunters
RECEIVED Mon., Aug. 22, 2005
Dear Editor,
Ms. Amy Quartermain's hateful attack on hunters [“Postmarks,” Aug. 19] demonstrates before all the rabid extremism of anti-hunters. She claims that “the reason people hunt is because they love killing animals.” How many deer have you killed, Ms. Quartermain? Surely this clinical insight into other people's thoughts is based on experience, not agitprop.
“Cull” is employed to explain removal of some of a species to control burgeoning herd growth. She calls it “kill, kill, kill.” Actually, it's both (though iteration isn't needed for a good shot). And all of us, including college-educated fleas, do it. I think Ms. Quartermain agrees on the destructive impact of development, but seems to think “speeding cars and stress seem to be doing an adequate job of 'balancing' nature.” Peculiar, but wrong. Deer and development just keep coming on (a sad but not terrfying fact). Richard Nelson (Heart and Blood: Living With Deer in America) says this: “more than 3,000 square miles (my emphasis) of Louisiana bottomland forest – prime deer habitat – were cut between 1962 and 1974, mainly for soybean fields.” Got soybeans, Ms. Quartermain?
She considers this “good”: “'sportsmen'” turn to copious amounts of fatty foods and vast quantities of beer to combat the boredom of having to wait to kill, which hardens arteries ... eats livers ... decreasing ... lifespans. Plus ... they shoot each other. Now that's population control.” I hope Ms. Quartermain never takes up firearms for any reason.
Misanthropy underwrites much of hunting prohibitionism because some folks cannot – will not – face up to the fact we all kill to eat. Directing hatred toward those who kill up front doesn't launder the relationships with agents and institutions which Ms. Quartermain relies on for her morning breakfast and for her (presumably) good night's sleep.
Ms. Amy Quartermain's hateful attack on hunters [“Postmarks,” Aug. 19] demonstrates before all the rabid extremism of anti-hunters. She claims that “the reason people hunt is because they love killing animals.” How many deer have you killed, Ms. Quartermain? Surely this clinical insight into other people's thoughts is based on experience, not agitprop.
“Cull” is employed to explain removal of some of a species to control burgeoning herd growth. She calls it “kill, kill, kill.” Actually, it's both (though iteration isn't needed for a good shot). And all of us, including college-educated fleas, do it. I think Ms. Quartermain agrees on the destructive impact of development, but seems to think “speeding cars and stress seem to be doing an adequate job of 'balancing' nature.” Peculiar, but wrong. Deer and development just keep coming on (a sad but not terrfying fact). Richard Nelson (Heart and Blood: Living With Deer in America) says this: “more than 3,000 square miles (my emphasis) of Louisiana bottomland forest – prime deer habitat – were cut between 1962 and 1974, mainly for soybean fields.” Got soybeans, Ms. Quartermain?
She considers this “good”: “'sportsmen'” turn to copious amounts of fatty foods and vast quantities of beer to combat the boredom of having to wait to kill, which hardens arteries ... eats livers ... decreasing ... lifespans. Plus ... they shoot each other. Now that's population control.” I hope Ms. Quartermain never takes up firearms for any reason.
Misanthropy underwrites much of hunting prohibitionism because some folks cannot – will not – face up to the fact we all kill to eat. Directing hatred toward those who kill up front doesn't launder the relationships with agents and institutions which Ms. Quartermain relies on for her morning breakfast and for her (presumably) good night's sleep.
Sincerely,
Stephen W. McGuire
Stephen W. McGuire
P.S. p.s. Kudos to Marjorie Baumgarten for the “deeper questions” in her Grizzly Man review [Film Listings, Aug. 19].
