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and to elicit subsequent donations from a gullible segment of the population, those whose experience with animals is limited to “companion” (pet) dogs, cats, birds or fish, National Geographic specials and cartoons. National networks, wire services, and even some local TV stations play into animal “rights” groups’ hands by assigning human names, intelligence and emotions to every animal in distress or observed outside of its natural element in “human interest” segments of the news.
While one might expect this ignorant humanization of animals from the networks and urban newspapers, it is disturbing to see a corresponding decrease in reporting about the time honored hunting tradition by the rural press. Last year’s picture of “The Dancing Bear” and the negative response it elicited from some readers with an urban point of view may have led to a decision to be “politically correct,” but a large portion of your readership is comprised of hunters and hunting families and would appreciate seeing pictures and reading accounts of outstanding deer, young hunters’ first deer, the increase in female hunters, etc. during the season.
Please don’t let the PETA fanatic? and readers whose experience with deer and bears begins and ends with “Bambi” and “Yogi” deter you from keeping the rest of us informed about the excellent hunting in Rappahannock County. Area general stores seem to be able to serve as check-in stations and run big buck contests while still serving their nonhunting customers as well.
Ethical hunting is not a topic to be avoided, and if we act embarrassed about it and let is disappear from our rural media, it will appear to be a shameful pursuit rather than the wholesome, enjoyable way to put meat on the table that it is.
TREVOR W. ROE
Sperry ville
94.8%