My comment online:

The comments implying that the bear was "wasted" seem to read something not in the article. Bear meat is edible and hunted for meat as well as as a trophy. Indeed most parts of North America have laws requiring the animal's meat to be fully utilised.

Wild game meat, what a wonderful source of free range organic meat!

And with hunting being such an exciting holiday and sporting activity we should be all encouraging our children to join in hunting and shooting. Many urban dwellers informs us that they believe we should not be ALLOWED to hunt any more, that it might have been needed in the past, but is no longer needed. But as an age old human activity perhaps we would be better off returning to our roots, rather than following ever more "plastic" forms of modern life.

Well done, Kevin! A grand trophy and in hunting the bear, you have contributed to wildlife conservation in a practical and constructive way.

And my letter to the editor:

Hunter's regret after giant kill
PHILIPPA DUNCAN

January 24, 2010 08:59am

Dear Editor,

I refer to the article "Hunter's regret after giant kill".

Kevin Rayner says he feels some regret after shooting the bear and this shows his true hunter's love for the animals he hunts. Hunters do not want game animals exterminated but rather conserved and managed wisely for future generations. Hunters truly love wildlife.

Hunting provides a useful way to manage wildlife, indeed conservation means "to use wisely". Total preservation of wildlife is usually actually harmful to wild animal populations.

While Mr Rayner may have brought the skin and skull of the bear back to Australia as a trophy no doubt the meat from the bear would have also be utilised. Most parts of North America require the meat from animals harvested in the wild to be utilised. And wild game provides an excellent source of free range organic meat!

Hunting is definitely NOT a dead activity for mankind, but an age old activity as long as mankind's existence itself, which is facing a resurgence as thinking individuals in our society turn away from the "plastic" existence being urged on us by greenies and other out of touch urbanites.

Well done to Mr Rayner for contributing to wildlife conservation in North America and also congratulations on his fine trophy.