When I read the Oct. 13 column, “Take precautions when hiking since it’s hunting season,” by Sharon Wootton, two things came immediately to mind:
First, I was sickened by her portrayal of young hunters as “armed young men.” The phrase implies more than just hunting. It is the same phrase used by the media to describe murderers, muggers and rapists. Wootton is using a phrase generally reserved for criminals to describe two young men who are most likely not only innocent civilians, but also, two young men who would come to her aid and defense in an emergency.
Wootton may not appreciate the values that these young hunters hold, but she should at least respect those who are “armed” who are pursuing a hunting life that is not anything like the criminal life of the other “armed young men.”
Second, in order for a hunter to successfully kill the hunted animal, the area around the hunt must be quiet, and devoid of noisy, conversing hikers. Wootton is either naive or disrespectful to hunters when she states, “… so conversation, whistling or bells on your pack are ways to announce your presence” to hunters. Hunters are allowed, by law, a very narrow time frame in which to hunt. While hikers have the right to hike during hunting season, hikers also may show respect to the other users of the outdoors by limiting their hiking during hunting season, or at least by hiking quietly, but wearing “… lightweight blaze (fluorescent) orange vests and caps …” as described by Wootton.
Hunters are people who love and enjoy the outdoors, just like Wootton. Even though some may not approve of what hunters do in the outdoors, at least show some respect to their way of life, which is as legal and honorable as a hiker’s way of life.
John T. Weber
Mukilteo
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