Newspaper Article Claims Hunting Worse Than Dogfighting

ers, we are used to attacks on our lifestyle fromare not.
the animal-rights-vegetarian-vegan coalition. But anWith that said, I particularly take offense to Mr.
article by Matt Spencer in the Lowell Sun ("GiveSpencer’s statement that hunters are not
Bambi a shotgun, then hunting would be a fairconservationists. In fact, hunters are the ultimate
fight," July 19) stating that hunting is worse thanstewards of our wildlife and land resources. The
dogfighting was so mindboggling and utterlytaxes and license fees paid by hunters have
fraught with fallacies that we had to set thegenerated funds to purchase millions of acres of
record straight.public land and improve wildlife habitat. Since 1937,
A few excerpts from the story are sure to gethunters have contributed more than $4 BILLION
your blood boiling:through the Pittman-Robertson Act for the
“What does your pristine ‘sport’ havebenefit of all wildlife species. In 2007 alone,
to do with the outlawed mayhem of ultimatehunters and shooters contributed $233 million in
doggie brawls? Well, you don’t have to goPittman-Robertson funds.
hunting for the answer. I'll fire back the reality.Virtually all outdoor enthusiasts benefit from the
“There is a difference. Hunting is worse. Huntingexcise tax dollars hunters pay on guns,
is deadly certain. At least when White Fang isammunition and related equipment. The bird
brawling, he has a fighting chance. In hunting, thewatchers, hikers and bikers don’t need to
bullet and arrow offer no TKOs.pay a cent to fund the outdoor pursuits they
“You hunters don’t give a flying duckenjoy. Why should they open their wallets when
about protecting the wildlife. And I don't give ahunters foot the bill for them?
flying duck about your rights as hunters. You areIn addition, hunters DO care about protecting
not outdoorsmen, or sportsmen. To claim thatwildlife. Hunting keeps game populations in balance
you are conservationists would be like sayingwith their habitat. When a population exceeds the
ExxonMobil is peddling the idea of getting morehabitat’s carrying capacity, sickness and
cyclists on the roads.die-off are the result. Hunting keeps overall game
“It astounds me that Michael Vick is jailed as apopulations healthy and sustainable. For example, in
war criminal, deemed worthy of a Nuremberg1900, whitetail deer populations in this country
tribunal, yet armed citizens are licensed by ourtotaled 300,000. With the help of regulated
states to get their jollies blowing Bambi, Bullwinkle,hunting, wildlife management paid for by hunters,
Braer rabbit and even Yogi Bear to smithereens.and an influx of Pittman-Robertson dollars,
“As someone who has never executed awhitetail populations today number more than 20
fellow mammal, I am even more astounded bymillion.
the fact that states encourage children to join inThere are other facts I could provide in support
on the kill shots. In the Bay State, I was shockedof hunting—it prevents deer-auto collisions and
to learn that a child at the tender age of 15 cankeeps our insurance rates from skyrocketing; it
get a hunting license.”provides nearly 600,000 Americans with work; it
I would like to counter Mr. Spencer’sstrengthens family bonds with time spent
anti-hunting diatribe with just a few facts, since hetogether outdoors; and it feeds our country, not
chose not to do so.just with the meat itself, but also because of the
First of all, his claim that hunting is worse thancrop damage and livestock predation it prevents.
dogfighting is absurd to anyone who has actuallyBut perhaps the number one fact that Mr.
hunted a day in his or her life. The ranks ofSpencer apparently missed is this: 73 percent of
hunters are filled with decent, hard-working,Americans approve of legal hunting, according to
family-oriented people that make up the verythe Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
fabric of this country. Those who engage inOnly 10 percent believe hunting should be illegal.
dogfighting are criminals, pure and simple. Hunters