Letters To The Editor April 2011

Northern Zone Hunters Get Short End of Baiting Stick

Dear GON,

I was deeply frustrated and angered by the changes to HB 277, the “baiting bill.” It seems the will of 78 percent of the hunters in Georgia is meaningless to the bunny-loving tree huggers in the state capitol. I thought that the U.S. Constitution granted equal protection to everyone.

How can baiting be legal in one geographic region of the state and illegal in another region of the same state? I am very dissapointed in the commitee members who let this bill be ammended from its original version. This must not be allowed. I intend to contact each of the committee members who voted to change this bill and voice my displeasure.

Hoyt Allen, Newnan

Dear GON,

Well once again the Northern Zone is going to get the shaft on the proposed HB 277 on baiting deer and hogs. It seems the Southern Zone  is now going to get to bait deer and hogs. They also want to extend the season even longer. What’s next? Maybe have the Northern Zone pay for the Southern Zone hunters’ licenses? If this is not double standards, I don’t know what is. It sounds like the Northern Zone needs to elect some new officials.

Thanks GON for allowing hunters to express our opinions, so we can unite against our hard-of-hearing officials.

Alan Helmuth, Milledgeville

Baiting Robs The Hunt

Dear GON,

Fred Bear said, “I hunt deer because I love the entire process; the preparation, the excitement, and sustained suspense of trying to match my woods lore against the finely honed instincts of these creatures.”

Ten dollars and 50 pounds of corn robs a hunter of his true reward and cheapens the experience. The cost of the hunt should not be measured in dollars and cents. After all, our debt is to the game we pursue.

Dana Farmer, Fayetteville

Dear GON,

Whatever happened to fair chase? Regardless of the pros and cons espoused by hunters, it seems to me the ethical question of fair chase has been totally disregarded. And what about PETA? Don’t hunters have enough to overcome these days without giving the PETA whackos something else to throw to the liberal media?

I watched a deer-hunting show years ago where a celebrity was hunting over a feeder with corn all over the ground and in strolls a deer. The deer lowered his head to get a bite and BOOM, he got him a nice one. It was disgusting to watch.

If hunting is only about the killing, then have at it. Personally the whole experience from plowing and planting, scouting and actually setting up on the sign is what I enjoy. When the deer appears, that is the goodie bonus. I hope our future hunters don’t grow up in a system where they are taught to put out the corn and peanut butter and shoot whatever shows up.

David B. Gunter, Cornelia

You Don’t Have To Bait

Dear GON,

I have an 11-year-old daughter who has been hunting with me for two years now. I keep her interested by putting out corn and a camera right at our stand, and every week we put out more corn and love checking the pictures. We make sure the bait is gone before we start hunting, so we are legal.

I have hunted in several states that allow hunting over bait, and it has never helped or hurt my hunting. I have never shot any deer while it was eating corn. If we legalize hunting over bait, we still have to teach our kids what is ethical and what is not. It does not make hunting any easier at all when there is a buffet of corn on every piece of property.

If it becomes legal, my daughter and I will be hunting over corn and like always we’ll be doing a lot more watching than shooting. I think it’s OK as long as you only shoot what you need and don’t overkill. The corn has nothing to do with being ethical. If you don’t want to hunt over corn, then don’t put it out.

Steve Dycus, Woodstock

Hunting is Better With Kids

Dear GON,

Last deer season to me was more than how many deer I killed. It was time I spent with my daughter, wife and step-son enjoying the outdoors God has created and provided for us.

We were all excited when Tiffany Martin, a friend’s daughter, killed her first deer on our Jones County club. We were all excited when Courtney, my daughter, and Meaghan Adair, another friend’s daughter, killed deer. Dads and granddads, you need to take your kids and grandkids hunting.

I enjoy just going down to the hunting property with my family, even if I don’t hunt. Everyone has a great time fellowshipping and spending time with each other.

One evening while I was at the deer cooler, there were two boys, and they had both killed their first deer. I was excited for them as well.

That’s what makes a great season, just enjoying and watching new hunters be successful.

Russell Olson, McDonough