>What do you think the "wild hunters" might do to you if you
>don't wear a brightly colored hat? Since the only hunters
>likely to be out on Skagit Flats are waterfowl hunters, the
>chances of being hit by birdshot are much less that the
>likelihood of being hit by a semi on the freeway.
>
>I am always amazed, amused, and concerned with the fears of
>nonhunters about being in the same locale as hunters. I assume
>it has to do with the stereotype of hunters that is so common
>in nonhunters. I wonder if there is something that I can do to
>help change that stereotype, at least with the denizens of
>Tweeters.
>
>Tom Juelson

I agree with Tom. From anything I know, the vast majority of hunters are
quite concerned that they not shoot each other or innocent bystanders. Of
course there will be careless ones, just as there are all too many careless
drivers (and I've been run down by pedestrians), but there's no reason to
feel abject fear. I'll freely admit I wouldn't advise sneaking quietly
through the Cascades wearing brown clothing in the midst of deer and elk
season, but even in that situation, you probably have a lower chance of an
accident than on the freeway. Most hunters want to see exactly what they
are shooting, rather than spraying bullets into the brush when something
moves.

And shouldn't we base our attitudes and our behavior on the *mode*, not on
the extremes? Otherwise none of us would ever drive or fly again, that's
for sure, or drink apple juice or eat hamburgers or walk under a tree
during a wind storm. Etc.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416
web site: http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/museum.html