HUNTING: This is N. Idaho

In response to Mr. Carver’s letter on May 20: North Idaho is a much more diverse region than most would think. Some folks have difficulty tolerating this unique brand of diversity. The Hunting Culture has been a part of many families for generations. It is a rite of passage and an honor to harvest your first animal.

Families are brought together, memories are made and the hunting culture is passed on to the next generation. Hunters always hear “you killed a poor, defenseless…” but nothing could be further from the truth. Big Game animals have very acute hearing, a strong sense of smell, and they can run like the wind. Add millions of acres to hide and we see why in most areas, hunter success is very low.

Compare that to our domestic production of chicken and beef where the farmer has removed their defenses by fencing them in and eliminating the flight response option. Fear of humans has been bred out. They are commonly slaughtered one after another, often while the next in line watches.

Using terms like, “dysfunctional,” “psychotic” and “social misfits” are judgments used to perpetrate intolerance and hatred toward a culture or class of citizens. As our society develops and we are asked to tolerate more diversity in our nation, I ask you to show more tolerance to our unique brand of diversity in North Idaho. Now go eat your corporate farm raised, mass slaughtered chicken/beef. I’m sticking to 100 percent organic, free range meat.

G.L. SMITH

Coeur d’Alene