Diane Mousseau claimed in her letter "Animal Differences" (Dec. 31) that "hunting is not about shooting, wounding and then walking away; the deer are never left to die of a wound by an experienced hunter."
Contrary to Ms. Mousseau's claims, 22 published scientific surveys and studies indicate that the average wounding rate for bow hunting is over 50 percent. More than one out of every two deer shot are never retrieved, and usually die after prolonged agony from septic infection, peritonitis, blood loss or other complications. Wounding rates for rifle hunting are also significant. Many of these studies were conducted by state wildlife agencies.
For example, in "Preliminary Archery Survey Report," the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks reports 51 percent wounded; "Archery Wounding Loss in Texas," Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports (51 percent wounded); "Deer Hunting Retrieval Rates," Michigan Pittman-Robertson Report, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (58 percent wounded); "Effects of Compound Bow Use on Hunter Success and Crippling Rates in Iowa," Wildlife Society Bulletin (49 percent wounded); "Bow Hunting for Deer in Vermont: Some Characteristics of the Hunters, the Hunt, and the Harvest," Vermont Fish and Game Department (63 percent wounded). The average wounding rate from all 22 reports is 55 percent.
The fact is that hunters subject countless animals to great misery before death in the name of their so-called "sport." As people become aware of the enormous pain and suffering of animals for recreational purposes, they are willing to speak up for those who can't do it for themselves.
DAVE McCLEARY
Carnegie


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