Illegal hunting laws need enforced

Editor:

I have never written or responded to a letter to the editor of any publication. However, I felt compelled to do so upon reading Dr. Smith’s letter (http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/letters-to-the-editor/deer-season-not-dog-season/10685.html) printed in the Dec. 18, 2008, edition of Farm and Dairy.

I felt many emotions when I read his letter. First, I was deeply saddened for his loss of Lyle at the hand of a hunter (poacher). Then, I became enraged at the blatent act of brutal violence his family had suffered.

While I realize the majority of hunters do so responsibly, it is the increasing number of “outlaw” hunters who make the enjoyment of owning, working and living on 100 acres less during the period of Oct. 1 through January.

Each year, the evidence of poachers continues to increase. We have found filet knives, walkie talkies, field dress gloves and animal remains and spent ammunition. We have also witnessed, from the woods, poachers on the land shooting to “run” deer.

We contacted the appropriate law enforcement to report the acts. We have told the game warden to please stop by the farm any time. I have not seen him in the area in more than two years.

As Dr. Smith’s letter stated, there are laws and penalties in place to deter the acts of poachers and illegal hunters. Without the personnel in place to enforce the laws they are not worth the paper they are written on.

It is necessary for the state to enact a proactive approach, versus reactive, to this issue. It should not take the loss of a family member or another accident to warrant investigation to these matters.

Theresa Wilson

Lisbon, Ohio