Poachers are not hunters
As a hunter and conservationist, I was saddened, like many citizens in the Valley, to read in the Nov. 29 issue of the Citizen about the recent elk that was poached and left for dead on Highway 18.
I was also disappointed that the criminals who killed this animal were referred to as “hunters” in this article on more than one occasion. People who poach animals illegally are NOT hunters; they are criminals. I am offended to be lumped into the same category as these criminals.
Public perception of who hunters really are has been tarnished over the years by a few stupid individuals that use weapons to commit criminal acts. Let’s get this straight. Real hunters respect the outdoors and cherish the animals that they legally harvest. Real hunters purchase hunting licences and species tags which generate countless dollars for wildlife and habitat conservation. I am a teacher, father of three and law-abiding taxpayer in this amazing Valley and take pride in being a hunter.
I hope people will learn that poachers are the problem here NOT hunters.
Trevor Prest
Duncan