Cooperative Living January 2015 - 6

MAILBAG
MYSTERY TOOL IDENTIFIED
- EDITOR'S NOTE: The mystery
tool pictured on page 6 of the
November/December issue was
identified as a device for
pulling nails, tacks
and brads. More
than 200 readers
knew the identity
of the antique
device, which was
purchased at a yard
sale for 50 cents by Mt.
Jackson's Mike and Chris
Delaughter. Thanks to all you sharpeyed
readers for your help in solving
the nail-puller mystery!
PLEASE DON'T EAT RICKY
RACCOON
I was highly amused to see a
MAILBAG letter on pages 4 and 5 of
the November-December issue of
Cooperative Living titled " Hunting
Story Was Offensive. " In this letter
Linda Heinze said that a story
about deer hunting in the previous
issue offended her.
Then, on page 16 you had a
page titled " Hunter's Harvest, "
which featured six recipes for
wild game. The one about
Barbecued Raccoon especially
caught my eye. We named
our resident raccoon
and my
immediate
thought
was
" These
people would eat
Ricky!?!? "
Quick comment on
deer - we have too
many. Eat 'em, mount 'em ―
I don't care. But we do need to keep
their population in check. But, going
back to Ms. Heinze's statement, when
it comes to hunting (anything) articles,
someone will be offended. She
did have a valid suggestion concerning
a counter article on wildlife
preservation.
I firmly believe that when you
hunt an animal you are not trying
to exterminate the species. (People
really eat raccoons? Poor Ricky.)
Tom Mullen
Stafford
WRITE US!
NOTE
EMAIL
ADDRESS
We want to hear from you - comments, opinions, suggestions.
Your letter must be signed and legible. We reserve the right
to edit for grammar, style and length, with a 250-word
maximum for acceptance. Write: MAILBAG, P.O. Box
2340, Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340; or email
mailbag@co-opliving.com. Please include your name
and city/town of residence, with MAILBAG as the subject.
READER QUESTIONS HUNTING
I cannot understand why luring
an animal to its death (with scent,
salt licks, corn, etc.) while the
hunter sits in a tree is anything to be
proud of (the " Mr. Crabs " article in
the October issue). If one pursued
the deer on foot without the aid of
dogs and then was able to take it, as
a wild predator would, then yes, that
would be skill. Such a hunter would
not have to kill squirrels because
they bother him.
The deer population does need
reduction, I realize that. Natural
predators, however, would take
down the weak, sick, and young, not
a buck in its prime. They would eat
the kill, and vultures would finish off
the rest.
WHATZIT?
Each issue, we will
pub lish a photo of a familiar
but unidentified object.
You are invited to make
your best guess and send it
in writing with your name,
address, and phone number
to WHATZIT?, c/o Cooperat -
ive Living, P.O. Box 2340,
Glen Allen, VA 230582340;
or guess online at
www.co-opliving.com
under " Contests. " Dead -
line for entries is Jan. 20.
All correct entries will be
put into a drawing and a
winner announced in the
March/April 2015 issue.
The winner will re ceive a
check for $25. 
4
Hunting for a " wall-hanger " is just
a power trip and only results in exaggerated
self-esteem.
Frankly, there are better ways to
prove one's manhood.
Mary Walker
Partlow, Va.
 DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?
The October 2014
WHATZIT? (r) was
velcro. Reader
Joseph Agusiewicz
(l) of Brandy
Station was our $25 winner.
Congratu lations, Joseph!
OUTDOOR WRITER SHOULD
BE CONGRATULATED,
NOT CRITICIZED
I read the letter to the editor
decrying October's cover story about
Victor Harangozo's deer-hunt story as
" offensive. " Here's a young man who
is not taking drugs, who is not participating
in gang violence, who is
not sitting in the basement in front
of a computer looking at pornography,
but is instead studying engineering
in college in order to become a
useful and productive member of
society. On top of that, he is polishCooperative
Living/January 2015
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living January 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living January 2015
