Dear HCN,
I resent Stephen Gies’
repeated references to manhood and the male ego, since I happen to
be female and an avid hunter (HCN, 10/26/98). While condemning
hunters as barbaric Neanderthals, Gies implies that hunting his way
(with a self-fashioned stone knife or spear and wearing animal
hides) would be OK. Who’s the Neanderthal now? Or is he simply a
snob?
Mankind happens to be at the top of the
food chain, and I make no apologies for that. We’re in that
position because we’re smarter than other animals. Being smarter
means using efficient tools, such as rifles or compound bows.
Frankly, I prefer wearing designer clothes to animal hides, but my
shoes are made of leather, if that counts.
If
Gies doesn’t like being at the top of the food chain, he can frolic
naked and blindfolded in the wilderness and give wildlife a chance
at him.
Aimee
Rathburn
Denver,
Colorado
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Who’s really the Neanderthal?.
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