[big snip]
>
> I agree with your point, but your story suggests the opposite: That natural predation worked, but human hunters ruined the balance.

It wasn't the hunters, it was the methodology used. The park officials paid people to come in and kill *only* the predators. In this case it was not the hunters that ruined the balance, it was the lack of predation. Whether the park officials paid people to hunt the predators or just had them rounded up and shipped to Greenland....same effect.

Does that clear it up a little for you? I certainly see how my statements could appear contradictory....hopefully I cleared that up.
>
> But what do people expect to see when you put a lion and a deer in the same place?

Apparently they expect harmony between all living things. Never mind that one or the other would starve to death. :)



>
> > Hunters are often portrayed as murderers who only want the heads of animals to mount on their walls, yet throughout American history hunters have been one of the most active groups in wildlife preservation and conservation. There is also a large organization here in Texas (and maybe in other states too) called Hunters for the Hungry. It's an organization that hunters can donate their kills to and the meat is used to feed people at homeless shelters, YMCA's, etc...I have donated many a deer to them over the past several years.
>
> I know duck hunters have been credited with saving valuable wetlands as well as many species of ducks. Good work without a shadow of a doubt.
>
> This is where I get a little confused: You make a consious choice to only kill what you will eat, and you donate kills to Hunters for the Hungry.
>
> How do you have anything left to give them after you've eaten?
>
> winter"probably being to litteral"mute

You're not being too literal, I should've explained that better.

I get roughly 35-40 pounds of meat from a deer. There are certain sections that I just don't use. I always keep the hams and the backstrap, but the shoulders and brisket I usually donate to Hunters for the Hungry. Some people have a taste for the heart as well, but I don't. If I bother to get the heart out (not often as it's rather messy) I'll donate that too.

Kel"drawn and quartered"ly