To the Editor,
We care about ducks. They often fly in flocks, and from a duck’s perspective, this might be a curse, or a blessing. A curse because a fast-shooting hunter might be quick enough to take more than one duck from a passing flight. A blessing, because the sheer density of prospective targets may render the shooter incapable of concentrating sufficiently on an individual duck to hit the target. Duck hunters know that collateral damage to the environment ensues when ducks crippled with lead shot pass lead poisoning on to scavengers and raptors. It is well-known that lead from shotshells can and has become a food contaminant for all creatures living in the marsh. Duck hunters revere the natural beauty of ducks and the environments they inhabit. To preserve opportunities for future hunting, duck hunters agreed, early in the last century, to limit the ammunition capacity of their firearms to a maximum of three cartridges. When the ecological consequences of exposure to metallic lead were understood, hunters willingly backed a conversion to lead-free shot. It is clear from our efforts to conserve ducks and marshlands that reasonable regulation of firepower, magazine capacity, and projectile charactistics can make the environment safer for all inhabitants of the marsh. We care about ducks. When will we have the courage and respect for human life necessary to protect humans in environs including public schools, nightclubs, movie theatres, public streets, concerts, and churches?
George Spangler
Chatfield, MN