These people obviously don't know how nature works, but yet see fit to try to impose their will on the rest of us, and sadly in this case used their bullying skills to browbeat their neighbors into submission.

joe, jay,
you guys are both focused, it seems, on what somebody else should do (PETA, the homeowners). my point is that PETA does what PETA always does; homeowners are going to act like homeowners always do(they didn't alert their neighbors to the hunt; the neighbors just found out). we can't change their behavior or tell them what to do. the only thing we have the power to change is our behavior. and we need to get motivated and sophisticated to convince the public that hunting is an ethical and appropriate means of managing deer herds. our behavior needs to be above reproach, because we're in danger of being outflanked in the p.r. war, which is what we're fighting. we've got to be better at PETA's game than they are. bh

First The Petersons nieghbors are and were way out of line, by crossing all sorts of Private Property Rights. What goes on on an individual's property where NO laws are being broken are strictly those Individuals business, ESPECIALLY when the State has thier back, by giving the permits in the first place. What I don't understand is that Liberals like Bob Barker and PETA who typically are pretty out there on the Left wing fringe (aka people who LOVE Govt. control of everything) disagree with the State. Its confusing to me, when someone WANTS to give all thier money and power to the State but then doesn't like the consequences of what happens. Does that confuse anyone else?
I also agree with Bill that we as Individuals who hunt, need to straighten out our image at times. We need (once again) to come up with sound Intelligent arguements, based on reason and facts, not emotion (which distorts fact). We can't win over PETA, that should never be our goal, you cannot reason with someone who thinks that its more humane for animals to strip the land bare then dies slowly from hunger and disease, than it is for a someone to hunt them in a fair chase manner, in which that person will then feed thier family, or if they are a successful predator donate the animal to an Organization like Hunters for the Hungry. Now you would think that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, being leftys would agree with the previoulsy stated arguement. They let emotions get in the way of reason. The majority of PETA supporters live in citys and suburbs and, honestly that humans are disconnected from the Natural world. They are of the same thinking than man has control over the weather, we can't even control other people (look at all the laws we have to protect ourselves...well from ourselves)!!!!!! I agree with PETA that chaining my dog up to a tree in the backyard on 110 degree day and poking it with a hot stick is cruel and inhumane, does anyone disagree? But Man understanding his role as the only natural predator and thinning the herd, so the animals don't die slow painful UNETHICAL deaths.

Bill Heavey,

I apologize being off topic, but it does involve hunting and Virginia. Moving to DC area from the midwest this fall for a job, any good public land areas in Northern VA for hunting rabbits you'd recommend(w/o cutting into your food source for the year, that is)? Sadly leaving a farm I've got permission on that loaded w/ rabbits, now facing the prospect of public land hunting once again, until I can meet some farmers/landowners. If you have the time, any thoughts would be great from your local knowledge.

Sounds like they've got you on the run, Bill....Not going to get one of those deer, are we?..Venison is everywhere, except in the cooler!? I know you could hunt in tie and suit, especially if you had your camo on underneath! Who the hell needs camo anyway...unless you're getting spotted by the neighbor watch committee up in that treestand! You just need a better cover...say a professor of aerial flight of incidential abjects in proximity to mammalian ungulates...dressed appropriately, and well mannered.....and a bow and arrow in your hand and a steely look in your eyes! Go get 'em,man!

Bob Barker, I always liked you, even when you grabbed your hot co-worker's assets unwelcomingly, but you disgust me now

Bill,

Thanks for the input, although it wasn't good news! Looks like I'll be missing the midwest and its abundant cottontail population this winter.

Please don't paint everyone on the left with the fringe. I was disgusted when I read that article as well and I am a left leaning moderate. The Peterson's were well within their rights to get rid of the deer and it was none of the neighbors' business. Peta is a group so far out of the mainstream, it should not count as lefty. I have absolutely no problem with anyone who wants to hunt. Enjoy yourselves.

I guess the PR fight can be done both ways.
We hunters can find advocates too and play the game explaining about over population and all the other issues involved in a way that people would have to answer seriously