Orlando, the Dalai Lama had quite a different experience from yours. As a small boy he shot and killed a bird and when he saw the lifeless body he cried and vowed to never kill another one. There are differences of opinion and differences in how some people view killing of some species. Some do not respect sport killing for any reason. Most of us support killing for food, but when most Americans are obese from eating so much meat from inhumane factory farms, the killing of a bird like a dove does seem to many of us both unnecessary and nothing more than sport hunting.. I do think there is a place in heaven for people who respect other species and do not kill them for sport, and those who protest the cruel ways animals are raised for food in America. Yes, like your Dad, my Dad took me squirrel hunting when I was a little girl and when I begged, "Daddy please don't shoot them", he put down his gun and from that time forward he took my little brother and me out to shoot cans. Again, a difference in fathers which is OK. However I don't think you should have been censored for your pro dove hunting opinion. Maybe people who like to watch birds, pay lots of money for bird watching equipment, spend money at restaurants, motels, should have a place to check on some kind of form to show how much is spent on bird watching. Phyllis Mains Whey do I hunt and have the feelings that I do? When I was 4 or 5 my dad had me shooting a 22 rifle. There must be a higher place in heaven for a dad that takes a noisy, squirmy 6 or 7 yr old son out hunting squirrels, pheasant and deer. So, from my youngest memories it was ok to hunt. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp