"The day I quit hunting was the day I found myself staring in the face of a doe we'd accidentally come upon too quickly for her to react. She just stood and stared as the hunter dropped her. I could see her spirit leave her body from those big dark eyes- I never want to see that again.

Yet I do believe hunting has a place in our society, especially in this region. We have an abundance of deer, geese and so on. We know that they need to be harvested to keep their numbers controlled in order to keep them and the ecosystem healthy.

I know that sounds strange coming from me, a person who can't stand to see a deer die. But I also have seen hungry animals die while searching for nearly nonexistent food.

The hunt is good for the constitution, too. There is something about walking the prairie and through bush-filled coulees that is exhilarating. For my brothers, nephews and other male relatives, it's their time to bond - to be men, I guess."

Get the Story:
Dorreen Yellow Bird: Here's to hunting, for all its faults (The Grand Forks Herald 11/15)
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