Dear HCN,
Please allow me to
respond to the letter from Marc Gaede which addresses hunting (HCN,
3/1/99). I find Mr. Gaede’s remarks fascinating. I also sense an
unhealthy anger towards hunters simmering just beneath the surface
of his views. I suggest the cure for this anger is for the
inflicted to spend a day in the field, close to the Earth,
connected to nature, doing something soothing for the soul. Hunting
works well for some of us, but inviting a friend along, toting a
good book or a camera, or tipping a bottle of vintage wine also
have their followers.
One thing I would like to
correct for your readers is Mr. Gaede’s erroneous view that humans
“hunt for the joy of killing.” The vast majority of hunters go
afield for the joy of hunting, not killing. For most, the act of
taking precious life brings a flood of mixed emotions, feelings,
and often deep self-reflection. The delicate dance humans have done
with animals for millenniums is one only understood by those who
hunt and kill their own food.
Many of us hunters
wish and work for a healthy planet, sustainable society, thriving
species from gnats to gray whales, and the opportunity to interact
with animals as humans have done since the dawn of time. And if
hunting is an instinct, as Mr. Gaede suggests, then we should not
be judged morally any differently than the hawk or the
shark.
Mr. Gaede states that women hunters are a
“significant abnormality.” I will not touch that with a 10-foot
pole, as I expect your mailbag will be filled with remarks on that
comment from your female readers.
In closing, I
also wanted to respond to the letter from William Ike Krasniewicz
(HCN, 3/1/99) who views HCN as “anti-hunter” and “anti-hunting.” He
must see something I don’t. Please keep up the fine work and renew
my subscription.
Tory
Taylor
Dubois, Wyoming
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline The joy of hunting.
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