'Hunters enjoy killing'

In response to Dan Adler's letter defending the practice of hunting as a favor to nature, Dan would have us believe that hunting has nothing to do with killing.

If it has nothing to do with killing, Dan, then leave your gun at home. It is true that loss of habitat is a serious threat to wildlife. It is not true that wildlife requires the respectful attention of hunters to manage it.

If Dan were as intimate with nature as he thinks he is, he would know that wolves, mountain lions and other predators are a very important part of the equation in the balance of animal populations. Wolves have been hunted to near extinction in the lower 48 states, and other predator populations have suffered as well.

Rather than protect the four-legged predators so they can do their age-old job, Dan and his friends want to replace them. I just wish they would not rationalize their actions.

My brother-in-law was a sport hunter all his life. He once told me that, "Any hunter who says he doesn't enjoy killing is a liar."

My brother-in-law and I had many disagreements, but at least I must give him credit for being honest. That is more than I can give Dan.

Pat Rusin

Associate research scientist

Soil, water & environmental science