PUBLICATION: National Post
DATE: 2001.11.14
EDITION: National
SECTION: Editorials
PAGE: A17
COLUMN: Letters
BYLINE: Thomas Pigeon
SOURCE: National Post
DATELINE: OAKVILLE, Ont.
Hunt pride
Re: U of Alberta Professor Says: 'Let us Prey,' Nov. 12.
Lee Foote's perspective on the real world of "the hunt" is a refreshing look at a time-honoured activity that is understandably misunderstood by the increasingly urbanized population of this nation. Disney has fostered the anthropomorphic notion that animals are humans; grocery stores have sanitized the "animals as protein" experience to the point where school kids think hamburger was immaculately conceived in a Styrofoam container; and the animal rights community has attempted to portray hunters as wanton killers. Hunters, however, have done themselves a disservice through inconsistent messaging. The lack of public relations savvy in this industry has truly been their only sin. The act of hunting and the good it brings to mankind as a cultural expression and as a source of clean, healthy food is most noble and must be perpetuated for the good of all. Hunters would do well to take a page from Dr. Foote's media book and learn when a pro hunting message is delivered in an articulate and balanced fashion that the good citizens of this country will be more supportive of this cultural and heritage activity of hunting.
Thomas Pigeon, Oakville, Ont.
(Thomas Pigeon is a hunter who started the Canadian Outdoor Heritage Alliance)