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

DATE: SUNDAY, March 29, 1992                   TAG: 9203290034
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

OF HUNTERS, GAME OFFICIALS

Hooray for Michael Schrage (March 8, "Hunting laws too liberal, bear researcher believes"). I've spoken to others in Virginia Tech's Wildlife Department who confirm the validity of Schrage's remarks; however, they are s reluctant to admit it publicly for fear of losing grant money and quite possibly their jobs.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is funded primarily by hunters. Perhaps this is why they invariably conclude that when there is "a large bear kill, it's indicative of a large population; when the kill is small, it's because the bears are hibernating." Schrage was shown that this is not true at all. Why don't these officials check with the people who are actually doing the research before making such statements? California banned hunting three years ago because their game department didn't know what was going on.

In "Hunters cheer proposed chase seasons," Bill Cochran adduces Tom Evans' comparison of fishing and running animals down with dogs. To compare catching a fish to chasing a warm-blooded, intelligent animal with dogs until the tormented creature drops from exhaustion or is treed is totally ludicrous. Then we are told that, after all, compassionate sportsmen that they are, the hunters are going to let it go. Research shows otherwise. This is why many states ban the practice of hunting with dogs altogether.

If there are any active animal rights groups in Southwest Virginia, please let me know - I want to join.

J. ANNE COLLINS BLACKSBURG

by CNB