Animal Ethics

JANUARY 13, 2009

To the Editor: Re “ Bow Hunters’ Solitary Quest: Stalking an Elk and a Record ” (front page, Jan. 6): I was disappointed that you dignified the “harvest” (a classic euphemism) with high-tech bows and arrows of tule elk in California on the front page with references to the “sport” and compliance with “an ethical code known as Fair Chase.”

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Hunters Hunting 40

Animal Ethics

OCTOBER 4, 2010

There is no “sport” when one “competitor,” the hunter, equipped with a high-powered weapon, camouflage clothing and other devices, pursues an unsuspecting animal. The reason hunting has no future in this country is that the next generation of potential hunters will not accept these myths.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Hunters Hunting 40

Animal Ethics

JUNE 27, 2008

To the Editor: “ Getting Bacon the Hard Way: Hog-Tying 400 Pounds of Fury ” (front page, June 21), about Texas hog hunters, illustrated the barbarity of hunting with dogs. As the dogs tear chunks of flesh from the terrified pig, the hunters undoubtedly feel proud of their accomplishment.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Boars Hunters 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 31, 2011

But whether with a flintlock or a modern rifle, hunting cruelly takes the life of a living, sentient being that has as much right to live as any hunter or writer. Hunters like him. MARIE BROWN Baldwin, N.Y., It is only the prejudice of our species that justifies culling the deer population while protecting our own.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Mountain Lions Deer 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 1, 2006

Are hunters a vanishing breed? If so, is that a good thing? Addendum: "Nimrod" is both a name and (without capitalization) a noun. Why do you suppose the latter is pejorative?

Hunters 40

Hunters Breeding 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 24, 2007

It’s time to stop pandering to hunters and the gun lobby and turn to humane measures to control the deer population and outlaw this barbaric pastime. Hunting is cruel and cowardly, and any attempt to rationalize or gain acceptance for it as a sport does not eradicate this fact. Rebecca Sunshine Hartsdale, N.Y.,

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Slaughter Slaughtered 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 15, 2009

Animals in the wild try to escape from hunters.) After all, we cannot communicate with them in any meaningful way, and besides, from their behavior it seems clear that they don’t want to die. But recent experiments with chimpanzees suggest that the day may be near when we can ask trained chimpanzees if they want to be eaten for food.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Meat Killing 40