Tom,

I think its good that uckayak hunts. I'm glad he does in fact. I think its possible confuse his comments with anti-hunting, which I think may be a misrepresentation of his true sentiments. From what I can tell, he is a hunter and doesn't have a problem with killing game.

As far as fueling anti-hunting sentiment, I tend to agree that arguments that wegive as to the need for perpetuation of hunting traditions seem to conflict with portraits of kills of declining species and whichuse for the hunter was solely a trophy. I'm notgoing to discuss what is right and wrong ethicsor motivations for hunting, but I will say this, the arguments most often given in support of hunting are not best exemplified by the images uckayak was voicing objections to.

I am of the opinion, that wildlife in africa is being managed as a resource, but given the declining numbers of specific species, I have my doubts as to whether wildlife is being managed in a way which will ensure the perpetuation of some species in the wild state. If hunters funds help to protect these species, that is a good thing, and even whilethe purchasing of trophy animalsmay beprimarily motivated by the desire of such hunterstoensure the perpetuation ofthese decliningspecies, I would also say that such a representation of the motivation for harvesting these trophies is a hard sell to those who oppose hunting.

Our hunting and gun ownership rightsare under attack. The arguments they use against us,make examples ofactions hunters take which seem to conflict with the very arguments we use tojustify hunting. Things like hunting fenced animals, hunting over feeders, hunting declining populations, and so on. It is not wise to give them fuel by making public images which are not a reflection, in general, of the typicalAmerican hunter and his hunting experience.