
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 18, 1991                   TAG: 9103190400
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JUST WHO ARE THESE CRITICS OF HUNTERS?

RUPERT CUTLER, an environmentalist, stated (news story, Feb. 26) that a group of "rank and file" rural landowners in Bland County petitioned the Jefferson National Forest supervisor to create extensive wildlife preserves closed to hunting. This was because of drunken and abusive hunters, spotlighting of deer, and piles of deer carcasses and litter left behind.

While no sportsmen likes a slob hunter, we highly question these charges. For instance, how many complaints were lodged with law enforcement and how many charges verified?

Could it be that these rural landowners are wealthy retired Northern Virginians or out-of-staters with anti-hunting sentiments, who have purchased acreage near or adjoining the Jefferson National Forest and consider it their private domain? These big-city small landowners would like to keep us hunters, fishermen and campers from using the forest, the same one that was purchased and is maintained by revenues from our purchase of hunting, trapping and fishing licenses. Sportsmen in this area will not tolerate closed preserves in the national forest to satisfy the selfishness of a few small landowners. DANNY F. and DOROTHY BURRIS STEVEN MATTHEWS RUSS COLEMAN GALAX

by CNB