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Letters: Take trophy out of hunting

The practice under discussion can in no way be even remotely associated with the word trophy.

Editor, The News:

Re: Let’s outlaw trophy hunting (Along the Fraser, Aug. 9).

I am writing to thank Jack Emberly for his efforts and to make a couple of comments on this topic.

Firstly, the use of the word  trophy. I think we need a vocabulary adjustment.

The practice under discussion can in no way be even remotely associated with the word trophy.

I think  people are clear on the concept. A trophy is  something accepted and acknowledged  by a  majority of people.

No one would dispute that the Stanley Cup is a trophy,  even if our team has never won it.

A true trophy  is something to be respected, cherished, and is usually the result of hard work ,  talent,  courage,  and determination.

There is the component of inspiration.

The Nobel Prize is a trophy.

The World  Cup is a trophy.

These achievements are worthy of the word.

Not so with trophy hunting.

Repeatedly,  polls indicate that about 80 per cent  of people in the province and the country would like to  see the end of this practice.

What qualities of character  are necessary for trophy hunting?  Courage?  No.

The animal in question is dispatched by a high powered rifle at distance. Talent?  I guess one has to shoot straight.

Are we inspired by the practice? Most of us hold both the activity and the people pursuing it in contempt.

Does this practice demonstrate the best qualities of the human spirit?  Of course not.

Trophy hunting displays nothing but ego, self-aggrandizement  through the destruction of another form of life.

Call it recreational killing.

Call it recreational wildlife destruction.

Leave the word trophy out of it.

Secondly, why is it still with us if four out of five people would like to see the end of it?  This is our fault.

We live in a democracy wherein politicians have two motivations: get elected and get re-elected.

What do you think would happen if four out of five of us informed our politicians that re-election was contingent on ending  the recreational  destruction of wildlife?

I surmise that we would see them scrapping among themselves to be the first to pass the appropriate legislation.

We claim that we are disgusted by the practice, but apparently that is as far as it goes.

When was the last time that you contacted your MLA  about this issue?  When did you last contribute to an environmental organization?   Debate a recreational killer?  Want to recognize at least part of the problem?

Walk to the mirror.

Take a good look.

Will Kolenchuk

Maple Ridge