Young hunter receives parental guidance

I too am concerned about the picture of the “10-year-old boy and his 20-pound turkey” (BDN, Fan Feedback, May 10). Actually jealous is probably a more accurate term.

How dare you publish such a picture and force me to face the realities of my “inadequacies” as a turkey hunter. To be subjected to a photo of a 10-year-old “child who looks as if he does not even have peach fuzz on his face” and his magnificent trophy gobbler, is more than any 59-year-old, long-in-the tooth and gray in the beard, wannabe turkey hunter can stand. By the way, do 10-year-old-boys in Virginia all have peach fuzz faces?

I question the wisdom of my own parents, who never introduced me to turkey hunting. I know we didn’t have turkeys to hunt in Maine when I was 10 years old, but they could have moved to a state that had them, right? Obviously the 10-year-old boy has parents who spend the time with their son to teach him gun safety and take him out into woods and fields of Maine to enjoy their outdoor heritage together. How can I possibly compete? My inadequacies are showing again.

I also question the judgment of your paper in running this type of letter for it does nothing but encourage anti-gun advocates like Mr. Robert T. Adams to write more letters to the editor for no good purpose and force me to waste valuable hunting time pecking out a response on this computer.

Jeff Nicholas

Palmyra

Proud of young hunter

I just read this article from the guy from Richmond, Va. (BDN, Fan Feedback, May 10). Sounds to me as he has no life and doesn’t understand the importance of hunting in America. I am 59 years old and I got my first turkey. It weighed 11 pounds and my Dad is 81 and he got his first turkey. It weighed in at about the same as mine. That 10- year-old boy ought to be proud he got his turkey. I know I am.

Jerry Cummings

Lincoln

Hunting, fishing heritage passed on

What a wonderful surprise to take the time to consider Mr. Robert T. Adams’ stance on hunting and gun ownership within the realm of American and more importantly, Maine society (BDN, Fan Feedback, May 10). As his opinions are warranted and permitted by our constitutional rights, remember people that what he illustrates here delivers us to a critical issue. We as Americans and Mainers must educate our children as we see fit.

I for one realize the necessity to allow the young members of my community to appreciate the varying sides of disputable local, state, and national issues as part of my course curriculum in high school social studies. These students take the experiences afforded here and become educated citizens that will have opinions and also understand that others may not take the same road. As a teacher, I must allow these students to grow as individuals and gain a sense of voice.

However, as a parent and father, I will continue to be proud of our Maine hunting and fishing heritage and teach my daughter to appreciate the “sport” and learn how to use a firearm properly in this “gun cult” as Mr. Adams describes. Hunting to me is a way of life and the right to own firearms is a right. I will embrace those qualities for years to come.

The beauty of being an American is that we as citizens have rights to share our beliefs and attitudes in society. Citizenship allows us to see the many sides of the world we share and I thank Mr. Adams for giving me a reason to write.

By the way, I did not get my turkey yesterday…

Tony L. Beal

Beals

Hunters deserve respect

Robert Adams from Richmond, Va., wrote to you to say how totally appalled he was that a 10-year-old child would kill a 20-pound turkey (BDN, Fan Feedback, May 10). Did his parents teach him this blood-thirsty sport to the detriment of an innocent animal? Shame on them.

Or did his parents take him to a hunter safety course, required in this state? Did his parents teach him how to safely handle a firearm, how to navigate safely in the woods so he wouldn’t get lost? Did his parents teach him to respect animals, only shoot what he will eat? Did his parents teach him to be blood thirsty, or did they teach him to be responsible for his actions?

As a grandmother many times over, I’ve watched my daughter and her husband take all of their children through hunter safety courses. I’ve watched them teach gun safety, respect for wildlife, woods, private property, and other people. I’ve watched them hunt, fish, camp, go to church and live their faith during the week as well, all as a family. I’m so proud of them for taking the time, as many families with a hunting tradition do, to teach all of these life lessons. One day these kids grow up, and most of them will become productive members of this society, having a sound foundation under them.

Most people who own and respect guns don’t shoot other people. Most people who own and respect guns are rarely victims of the real bloodthirsty people out there who prey on other human beings. Most people who fear guns haven’t got a clue how valuable the lessons were that the 10-year-old learned that day. Most people who abhor hunting and believe nature will take care of nature don’t understand what a starving deer looks like in the middle of the winter. If someone doesn’t wish to hunt, that is their right. But they should respect that hunting is a whole lot more than grabbing a gun and shooting the first thing that comes in sight. It’s learning to respect life, all life, and to not take it lightly.

Jean Haggett

Corinth

Note to readers: The NEWS reserves the right to edit submissions for libel, taste, clarity, and to fit available space. Letters should include a signature, full name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters may be mailed to: P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402, or e-mailed: bdnsports@bangordailynews.net