As usual, I read my most recent issue of Consent (# 11) with great interest. The lead article raised interesting points re: environmental degradation and "environmentalists". Mr. Jones' suggestion that privatizing forests would lead to far better management is undoubtedly true.

The Ontario government, at the urging of wildlife biologists, about 30 years ago decided to use that approach to manage fur-trapping in central and northern Ontario, (i.e., where land is owned by the Crown). Each trapper has his/her own registered trapline (the rights are owned for life and can be inherited). Thus, the amount of fur that a trapper can take from his trapline on a sustained basis depends on how well the trapper manages his annual harvest (taking either too much or too little will ultimately result in reduced income).

This system of free enterprise has been exceedingly successful and Ontario has the best managed furbearer population in the world. Please note that "environmentalists" who condemn wearing fur coats and promote synthetics are promoting pollution --- harvesting furs makes use of a renewable natural resource, whereas production of synthetic fibres results in air and water pollution and uses non-renewable resources (e.g., oil).

I also much appreciated the anti-anti-hunting cartoons. Hunting is another personal freedom that is under attack by those who would impose their so-called ethics on those in society who choose to exercise that freedom (sounds much like the Sunday shopping issue).

- January, 1990, C.D. Ankney, Professor of Animal Ecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario