Something Wrong With System That Values Moose Over Man Letter Of The Week: From Nov. 29

Mon., Dec. 11, 1995

I recently heard a hunting story that bothered me tremendously. A man from out of state mistook a moose for an elk. Out of fear of being hurt, he shot and killed the moose. He freely turned himself in, with great remorse for what he had done.

Still, the consequences were an automatic fine and having his rifle and license immediately taken from him.

Last year my brother-in-law was shot and killed while hunting. The man who shot him was sent home with no charges brought against him at the time. It took six months for a trial to take place!

The hunter was declared innocent of carelessness and negligence, even though my brother-in-law was shot from a distance of 127 feet - a classic “brush” shot.

His gun, which was only held for evidence, was returned to him. His license to hunt was left intact. Someone had to challenge the state Fish and Game Department about this man’s right to have a hunting license.

Something is drastically wrong with our values in this society when a moose is treated with more respect, honor and rights than a human being.

Moose, deer and elk have seasons in which they can be killed without consequences. Is man “in season” along with moose, elk and deer? Kathy Jenkins Rathdrum

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