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Letter to the editor: Teach compassion, not hunting

July 11, 2026

This letter is in response to the article in the July 8th issue of The Corydon Democrat titled “Reserved Hunt Applications Now Open”.

The first three hunts are for dove, teal (ducks), geese and squirrel. My question is, why would anyone want to kill these harmless animals? The only reason I can think of is that they enjoy the killing. The killing of anything should be a solemn occasion, not for fun. People used to hunt because they needed the food. They no longer need to do that, so the only reason left is the thrill of the kill, which makes me wonder about the character of such people.

The fourth hunt is “youth deer hunts.” Children have a natural affinity towards animals. Children should be taught compassion, not cruelty. Parents, if you want to go kill something, please leave your children at home. There is enough violence in the world without passing it down to the next generation.

The last item is “deer hunts on National Wildlife Refuges.” Wildlife Services spends thousands of dollars every year to kill predator species. They are about conserving hunting, not wildlife. Hunters won’t admit they enjoy killing, so they use excuses such as “getting back to nature,” culling the herd to prevent starvation and/or their licence fee helps pay for “conservation.” All of these excuses are bogus. Sadly, we live in a society where killing animals for fun is considered normal.

Albert Schweitzer (Medical Missionary, 1875-1965) said, “When will we reach the point that hunting, the pleasure in killing animals for sport, will be regarded as a mental aberration?”

Joseph Wood (American Author, 2893-1970) said, “When a man wantonly destroys the works of man, we call him a vandal, but when he destroys the works of God, we call him a sportsman”.

Harold Wilson

Corydon, Ind.