Hunters give public valuable services

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By Jim Morris, Staff Writer 12:34 AM Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Hunters sometimes get a bad rap. I know, they carry guns or bows and arrows and their mission is to kill something.

Some people will never be able to accept that. In this country, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Very few hunters are out there killing for the joy of watching something die. Sure, there is the thrill of the hunt and hunters don’t go out to spend a day in windy, rainy, snowy or sub-freezing conditions because they have to.

While they enjoy hunting, I submit, they also are providing valuable services to the public. Deer hunters thin an always-growing herd. They are keeping deer off of highways, away from crops and helping to prevent disease.

Hunters also feed hungry people. Last year, hunters donated nearly 220,000 meals to Ohioans in need, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. This year, the division is hoping for much more.

“I personally challenge Ohio’s hunters to double that number this year and to help us all to remember to make the donations. I’m going to label Saturday, Dec. 5, as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Day,” said Dave Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “I will try to take a doe that day and I’ll donate it to the FHFH program.”

Hunters can donate venison right away, and if they use a processor in the FHFH program there is no charge for preparing the meat.

For more information about donating venison, visit fhfh.org or wildohio.com or call (800) WILDLIFE.

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Jim - I think this is a good program. Nonetheless, I don't care for hunting or for most hunters. I don't believe most are interested in conservation or containing disease, etc. They like the fun of going out and bagging something and eating it. I've never thought for one moment that I've missed out on something in life by not hunting. There are many 'sport' hunters out there. Water fowl hunters are the worst to me. You could never make hunting a good thing to me. Necessary maybe. Good...never.

Danno
8:48 AM, 10/29/2009

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