Hunters are in it for themselves

The July 21 letter “Sportsmen not fairly portrayed” omits crucial pieces of contextual information as the writer attempts to glorify Nevada wildlife killers.

Claimed volunteer actions by hunter organization members are done so only to ensure a steady supply of animals for their members to kill. There is no altruism in these efforts, only the ultimate goal of killing.

Speaking of which, the mule deer population coveted by many hunters has dropped precipitously in Nevada, yet the Board of Wildlife Commissioners continues to approve new hunting seasons at the urging of hunters and the Department of Wildlife.

Demonizing coyotes, who are an essential part of our ecosystem and remove many unwanted species such as mice and voles, demonstrates a shocking lack of biological understanding. The same applies to wild horses and burros, who are brutally imprisoned, then slaughtered, when our scarce water is used to grow alfalfa. Many times the number of cattle destroy the land and its vegetation, while ranchers pay a paltry fee to the Bureau of Land Management for grazing rights.

As for the county advisory boards, many of them fail to regularly meet, do not attend the Wildlife Commission meetings (only six of 17 showed up at the last one in Winnemucca), and have the same lopsided, unrepresentative composition as the Wildlife Commission.

A U.S. Department of Interior study demonstrates that Nevada wildlife watchers contribute considerably more dollars to our state’s economy than regressive hunters and hunting.

When will officialdom demonstrate respect for our wildlife?

Stephanie Myers, Las Vegas