Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!erb1!osnome!hunting From: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu (rec.hunting moderator) Newsgroups: rec.hunting Subject: Re: FOR **** SALE *** 1973 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT Message-ID: <362@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> Date: 15 Mar 91 12:47:04 GMT Sender: news@erb1.engr.wisc.edu Lines: 52 Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu From: rec.hunting moderator # From: "Laura McD. Owens" # 304V8, power steering, cruise control, air conditioning, This is an open letter that is intended to "get things straight" before this news group gets out of line. I hope those who intend to read this news group post their comments or write to the moderator. I definitely agree. I would like to hear people's comments on general posting guidelines and especially the "vaporizing squirrels" post. Any input that would help define the line between acceptable and unacceptable would certainly be appreciated. How did a car advertisement get posted? Are "Sporting equipment" adds going to be next? Sure. "Rifle for sale" and "looking to buy a good used bow" seem like valid topics to me. I doubt that such articles would be numerous enough to cause problems. If readers of the group disagree, let me know. If there sufficient objection, I will reject such posts. The moderator wrote that he almost didn't post something that talked about the severe damage done to squirrels shot with a .357. First, that post was clearly meant to be humorous (just like the one from the guy that said 255gr. bullets gave hunters a "warm-fuzzy" feeling). Some people may not find these posts humorous, but I believe that they are not nearly severe enough to be edited (they weren't...yet). I personally see nothing wrong with destroying PESTS with firearms or any other means (such as traps). In some areas, squirrels are indeed serious pests that invade attics, etc.. I wonder how many readers out there believe that there are such critters that can be killed (by whatever means- why not make it a sport?) and NOT eaten afterward. I don't agree with the "If you kill it, eat it" attitude. I understand that some people won't agree. We can't go posting stuff like, "the squirrel exploded into a million pieces and it was really cool"; yet, I think that we don't want to be too restrictive about posting the effects of powerful bullets on animals. In the original post, I mentioned that I had problems with the post. IMHO, it was on the border between "eliminating pests" and "vaporizing animals just for fun". Rather than reject the post, I posted it and noted my reservations. Again, I am asking for input. This is YOUR group! Just what do you want it to include? Tim Rigg (Moderator of rec.hunting)