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Cougar’s senseless death overglorified
The Gazette Opinion Staff
Dec. 23, 2009 11:18 pm
It was with sadness that I read of the killing of a mountain lion in Iowa County. The brave exploit, glorified on KCRG-TV9 television, should have been treated far differently by the media.
Were there reports of livestock predation? Had any animals suffered other than natural prey who lack predators to control their numbers? Was the beast threatening any of the heavily armed deer hunters? No, the big cat was resting on a branch in a tree when the courageous marksman brought him down with a shotgun equipped with a scope, risking frostbite and who knows what else.
The proud sportsman's assessment? “Dumb luck.” Dumb something.
Scott Nau
Cedar Rapids
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