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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 4, 1991                   TAG: 9104040531
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TAXES DON'T ENTITLE HUNTERS TO FREE REIN

IN RESPONSE to the four hunters from Galax (letter, March 18), I am not wealthy, nor am I from Northern Virginia. But I do live on land that adjoins Jefferson National Forest. I was raised in the Roanoke area, with family members who are hunters.

I have also seen the things that uncaring sportsmen can do, and I do not care for them for obvious reasons.

My family moved to this area for the beauty of the land and the animals, not for drunken and abusive sportsmen who leave deer carcasses and litter everywhere. I would like to add the use of automatic guns to the list. All these things make us cautious to enjoy our own land (which we bought and pay taxes on).

All the revenues and taxes that sportsmen pay do not entitle them to free rein on the countryside; nor do they pay my family and neighbors for time spent cleaning up after these people on private land.

I understand not all sportsmen do these things. However, those who do - and they know who they are - perhaps should be a little caring of other people who enjoy the environment for other reasons. BRENDA RYAN ROANOKE

by CNB