A young moose recently strolled into Providence Hospital’s lobby. The video was viewed by more than 100,000 people. It was firmly escorted back outside by security officers. But where hospital employees saw trouble, the Alaska Board of Game might see opportunity. Why not authorize a moose hunt in the hospital lobby?
Oh, there are people wandering about on all sides of the moose? Well (slaps forehead) that’s exactly the issue withKincaid Park, but the board believed the heavily used park was a great place for a hunt. Besides, wasn’t that moose a threat to public safety? I wonder if any of the board members
— none of whom are from Anchorage proper, by the way — have ever used the trails in the park? Not only will hunters be allowed to release arrows or crossbow bolts that will undoubtedly result in injured moose running blindly down trails, the board thought it would be an excellent idea to allow hunters to discharge shotguns with slugs and muzzle-loading rifles that might result in injured runners or bikers limping resentfully down trails.
This was a bad idea made even worse by the back-slapping clique of hunting guides who comprise the Board of Game. But like Kincaid Park, the Providence hunt could be limited to parts of the hospital that would be temporarily closed for business. At least if some innocent bystander is shot in Providence, medical attention will be just down the hall.
Or the city parks division, which is familiar with the park and its use, could refuse to accommodate the hunt. Remember the Hippocratic Oath? One shouldn’t do something that can only be accompanied by predictable and preventable harm.
— Rick Sinnott
Chugiak
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.