Hunting opponents are out of touch

On April 28, Newsday published two letters under the headline, "Hunting is wrong sport for teens." At the time, the paper had only received letters critical of the youth turkey hunting weekends at some state hunting areas. But the response was plentiful: Hunting supporters sent in nearly two dozen letters. Here's a sample.

Spending time with a young adult teaching them how to respect nature and be with the land can't be compared with the other things they could be doing by themselves, namely violence, drinking, drugs and bullying.

I object to being classified with Roman gladiators, bullfighting and burning witches alive. The only way we can control the deer populations on Long Island is by hunting; the deer only have two predators: your car and a hunter.

Most hunters and fishermen consume what they harvest or donate it to food banks administered by various organizations such as the Town of Southold or the Venison Donation Coalition. The hunter of today performs a valuable service by keeping the number of deer and other species in check since Mother Nature cannot, unless you count deer starving or freezing to death.

Paul P. Nardone Jr., Bayville
 

I am a 14-year-old who participated in the Long Island Spring Turkey Hunt. I will admit that Newsday's letters were eye-opening, but also confusing. Wouldn't the writers want today's youth to be above the influence of drugs, alcohol and violence?

Hunting is a way to appreciate the outdoors and wild animals in their natural habitat. Only someone who has never experienced this wonderful encounter could think that hunting is about the killing of animals. Hunting is a game of perseverance and skill. The idea of hunting is getting close enough to practically be a part of the animal. Hunting gives today's youth an alternative to drugs and alcohol.

When gun violence occurs, not only in the youth population but within the adult population too, it only indicates that they have not been taught to respect a gun. You must treat a gun like it is loaded, all the time. People who hunt have to go through a long educational course just to hold a gun in the woods. People who hunt have a better understanding of what a weapon can do. Therefore, they usually have more respect for firearms and life itself.

The turkeys might not be that overpopulated, but if they were, we would take care of it in the most humane way possible: hunting. I have learned that a combination of skill and luck are two essential elements needed to harvest a wild turkey. I harvested my first bird this year. It was 25 pounds, had 11/8-inch spurs, a 91/2-inch beard and was absolutely delicious on the dinner table. I was extremely proud of the feat I accomplished and learned a lot along the way.

I don't know any people who take their kids out into the woods for the sole purpose of killing; it's for learning, enjoying the environment and companionship.

Rourke Feinberg, Miller Place
 

The letters on hunting were right on the money. Teens do not need to spend time with their fathers learning how to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors. They do not need to learn how to understand and respect nature. They do not need to learn comradeship.

Killing is not part of nature. The food we buy in supermarkets -- cow, turkey, fish and chicken -- all died of natural causes or committed suicide.

Teens develop much better values by doing civilized activities like watching television or playing video games. And we all know that these activities do not promote violence or indiscriminate killing, right?

As for comradeship, teens can socialize on their computers or hang out on the street and drink and use drugs. So much for civilized.

To anyone listening, take a teen hunting and fishing, teach them traditional values, and we will all be better off.

Leo Papageorgio, Holbrook