HUNTING: Sickened by graphic photos

I cannot imagine that I was the only one of your readers who was sickened by the photographs of hunters with their "trophies" on the cover of the Outdoor section of Thursday's Press.

Naturally, we seem to routinely see these things in "this neck of the woods." But seeing those magnificent creatures lying dead and hunters proudly standing with their kill nauseated me.

I come from a hunting family and was raised on wild game. I acknowledge the need for hunting. Once a species reaches carrying capacity their numbers become weak and diseased, thus creating the need to "thin them out."

I doubt that is the case with big horn sheep. The "thrill" of that or any other "kill" eludes me.

Seeing any of these creatures running wild and free is the thrill. Seeing them dead on the cover of the paper while I eat my breakfast is nauseating.

KATHERINE

von HAGEN

Coeur d'Alene