The thread is descending into imputing motives and artful casuistry. What has Larry's influential voice got to do with it? There is never a final answer in a biological system. One answer always leads to another question.

Your last sentence implores me to join those who want to stop the killing. What's killing hunting is a growing abhorrence of killing. I'm partly responsible for the sentiment among my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

They think of the dead furs and feathers, entrails to the crows and raptors, blood on the snow behind the shed as disgusting, in time to become rare as spittoons, their Grampy Boy the last of the dinosaurs. I'll stick to shooting.