This letter was sent to the Editor of the Gainesville Sun by Lane Stephens and printed on 1-26-07. To read the letter directly from the Gainesville Sun website, click here.

Letter to the Editor

Recently, a writer voiced her opinions about the use of hounds during the hunting of deer. While everyone has a right to express their opinion, her letter was replete with false information that must be rebutted.

The writer indicated that the practice of using dogs to hunt deer had been outlawed in Pennsylvania and Georgia. This statement is simply not true. First, Pennsylvania has not outlawed the hunting of deer with hounds, as this was never a traditionally used method in Pennsylvania. The terrain does not lend itself to this method. This is a statement of fact from a document prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In Georgia, the urbanization of certain areas and the fragmentation of large hunting tracts have resulted in a reduction of the areas where the use of hounds can be sustained. And, in 2003, the Georgia Assembly passed legislation that provides mechanisms for addressing the use of dogs when hunting. But to say that Georgia has outlawed the use of hounds is simply incorrect.

The writer further states that she has been told by Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) staff that hunting dogs are a constant problem. In fact, in September 2006, the FWC staff reported to the FWC Commissioners that there was a 25% reduction in complaints against hunters who use dogs over the previous year, and a 36% reduction in the North Central region (includes Alachua County). This reduction was attributed to a hunter-supported registration program that was implemented during the 2005-06 season.

The members of the Florida Dog Hunters and Sportsmen’s Associations and the Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida remind all sportsmen to be vigilant in your efforts to promote and support ethical hunting practices. The continuation of our traditions and rights to hunt depend on it.

Lane Stephens, Executive Director
Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida
501 E. Tennessee St, Suite D
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-513-0004

These are letters of support we have received.

Letters of Support

Lane Stephens,

I read your letter in the editorial section of the newspaper and couldn't have been more pleased. When I read the previous letter, I was tempted to write a rebuttal myself, though I couldn't have done a better job than you did. I dog hunt in Dixie county in the Ramsey Bend hunting club and have been doing so all my life. There's no other form of hunting in this country that's more misunderstood than dog hunting, and I'm so glad that you wrote that piece to discredit the obviously misinformed. Dog hunting has been synonymous with the South for generations, and with articulate people like yourself fighting to preserve it, I am sure it will be around for generations to come.

Thanks again,
Donald

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Lane -

I hunt with Jimmy at Cracker Boys' Hunt Club. I like your letter and I think it will serve as a great rebuttal to the opinion letter in the Sun. It sure warms my heart to know there are "thinking" folks out there that enjoy the same priviledges we do at Cracker Boys. Sometimes we think we are fighting the obsessed, irrational, radical anti- hunters on our own...not true. Thank you very much.

You know, we just sponsored another youth-day hunt at our Club and had about 35 kids of many shapes, sizes, ethnicity, and gender that participated...and I think they all had there teeth unless they we too young. There wasn't a beer can (not that I have a problem with adult beverages), hardly a foul word, or one flea-bitten, beat-down hound present during the hunt...all day. I do know what was there....about 35 kids that were not a home getting fat eating junk food and playing video games, or walkng the streets, or in the mall hanging around some of the bunch that seem to have lost touch with everything that is meaningful in life. All day they participated in a hound hunt, shot BB guns, played with toy trucks, among other things, went home dog-tired and went to sleep.

There are a bunch of bitter folks like this lady that wrote the letter to the Sun that needs to be challenged when they spew ignorant lies to the public and I appreciate you writing your response. They have no idea what happens behind the scenes at numerous hunting clubs, just like Cracker Boys, that benefit society. I could go on and on but will quit here. If there is anything I can do or we can do as a Club please let me know.

Tx - Mike