Letters to the editor March 17

‘30 by 30’

I support Gov. Gianforte’s position against the Joe Biden executive order “30 by 30” initiative. Calling the plan conservation, stewardship, or environmental does not mean that it will accomplish any of these. That only ensures that ill-informed people will support it. It is a back door way to increase the size of government bureaucracy and to increase government control over state and private property rights.

This measure has not been approved or funded by congress, it is an executive order only. Joe Biden does not make the law, only Congress does.

Our governor is right to oppose this to protect private and state property rights and to keep the federal government out of state business. Our state agencies are capable of accomplishing all of the stated goals in this initiative. Thank you, governor.

— William Fry, Kalispell

Gianforte’s hunt

In regard to the editorial concerning Gov. Gianforte’s lion kill (Nothing Unusual About Governor’s Mountain Lion Hunt, March 13) — it’s not the “end of the story”.

Having been an avid hunter for my life, I do have a problem with shooting a collared animal. How much information has been lost due to the death of that cat? Lots.

Yes, we do have lots of cats in our area and they definitely cause problems. Is someone so desperate that they have to shoot a collared animal just to put a head on the wall?

Well, the good news is that there are also collared elk, deer and sheep in our great state that can be legally shot. Gov. Gianforte still has a chance to complete his grand slam.

— Lewis Moore, Rollins

Fair chase

As the Inter Lake took four columns to point out (Nothing Unusual About Governor’s Mountain Lion Hunt, March 13) Governor Gianforte’s lion kill was legal in all respects, as much as we know about it. So was the wolf kill, except for that minor thing, like it was illegal! But of course there were no consequences.

But I digress. Let’s talk about fair chase. Back in the day, you had your hounds, you cut a track, you turned them out and then followed them to the treed cat, over hill over dale etc, you get the idea. And if so inclined, you shot the lion. I have no problem with that.

So today, the hounds have GPS collars, so heck, no need to follow them. Take any short cut you can, drive around to the closest point and then jump out, run up to the dogs and shoot the treed lion. Yep, that is how it is done in the name of fair chase.

Now back to the governor. The lion and wolf he killed were both wearing collars indicating they were actually research animals.

Yes, Gianforte legally harvested the lion (as far as we know). This is another great example of what is legal v.s. what is ethical. I think we all know where Gianforte stands when it comes to ethics.

— Jay Adams, Libby

Hunting semantics

The Inter Lake’s March 13 editorial “Nothing unusual about governor’s mountain lion hunt” tells us more about semantics and hunting ethics, legal or not, than this latest Gianforte escapade.

Regarding the killing of the mountain lion, the words “harvest” and “harvested” are used five times. Setting the stage for the editorial, the governor’s spokesperson is quoted as saying, “After the lion was treed, the governor confirmed the mountain lion was a tom, harvested it, and put his tag on it.”

“Harvested it?” What intellectually insulting hogwash is that? No, he killed the lion. The beast was chased to the point of exhaustion by a pack of dogs and treed with no possibility of escape. Then our fearless governor, undoubtedly armed with the finest rifle and scope money can buy, caught up, drew a bead on the cornered cat, pulled the trigger and killed the doomed creature. Note: One harvests beets, kumquats and persimmons. One kills rats, cockroaches and mountain lions.

Somewhere along the line, with interest in blood sport pursuits in serious and growing decline, the guardians of the hunting and trapping culture decided they needed to soften the act of killing wild game in the public’s eye. They came up with the term “harvesting” as a warm and cuddly alternative. The writer of the Inter Lake editorial lost sight of the approved script only briefly, using the truthful but out-of-favor word “killed” just once.

I challenge Gianforte to announce to the public his bucket list of animals he’d love to kill in his lifetime. Here’s mine: none.

— Mark Holston, Kalispell

Meals on Wheels

I was just delighted to see Meals on Wheels spotlighted in the Inter Lake. I have been delivering meals for 13 years and have always felt privileged to help out the local elderly folks this way. It has been a rewarding service from many aspects.

When I started driving, I met fellow drivers, some of whom were folks I had known many years ago in high school and even earlier. Without exception, the drivers are great people who are dedicated and friendly. When we deliver meals, we meet folks who are appreciative and grateful. Some of these folks who we deliver to for years become friends as well. And the staff at Meals on Wheels are wonderful folks who are doing a greatly needed job.

When I started driving, I wasn’t old enough to be considered a “senior citizen” but I am now and will continue to drive for as long as I can. I know that what I’m doing is helping people stay in their own homes and to continue to live independent lives. Meals on Wheels can use more drivers so I encourage anyone who wants a volunteer job that reaps rewards beyond description to connect with the Agency on Aging and check it out.

— Sue Cummings, Kalispell