Dear Editor:
(In response to John Frazier’s letter, ‘Hunting a right’but not right,? The Citizen, Oct. 25, page 6.)
I felt the need to look at the flip side of this issue! Let us discuss what it would be like if everyone realized hunting was not a right and stopped it completely. Overpopulation of the deer herds would be a start. This would cause the deer to slowly starve to death in the winter because there is not enough food and rampant disease. Skinny carcasses rotting in the snow, is that right? Is it right that the deer would overflow into our roadways causing excessive deer/car accidents, raising everyone’s rates? The deer would take over farmer’s fields causing extreme damage to the crops that we all eat and enjoy. Is this right? Not to mention the fact families really do depend on that meat to stock their freezers, especially now with the rising cost of food. Stating that most hunters watch porn, drink beer and use prostitutes is an insult to thousands of dedicated hunters that know the importance and NEED of the hunt and never engage in those activities!! Growing up with a DNR wildlife biologist for a father and an avid hunter, I understand the need for the hunt and have seen how it teaches and promotes many things beyond just sitting in a blind with a high powered rifle and slaughtering an innocent deer. I urge, don’t look at the pictures and ignore the hunters. They would never interject on your hobbies or pastimes!!!
Heidi Barckholtz
Ortonville