Maybe She Should Aim at Something Different

As I read of the hard work and skeet-range successes Kimberly Rhode has earned (“This Miss Can’t Miss,” Feb. 5), I thought, “This young woman’s accomplishments, coupled with her age and gender, give her compelling visibility both within and outside of the hunting and shooting community. Most especially, she can demonstrate to the next generation of would-be hunters that range competition is accessible, attractive, impartial, and, of course, sporting.” And after reading of her ability to take down four record-book African animals with just four shots, as well as limiting out during dove season while still too small to hold a gun, I suggest that for Kimberly Rhode in particular, and for hunters in general, the killing and maiming of wild animals is not sporting, nor is it particularly challenging.

Ms. Rhode, I ask you to consider the following: Let your unique talent and competitive performance promote the sport of range shooting, where a perfect score is a challenge and a poor shot causes no pain. Enjoy the outdoors, contribute to wildlife management through licensing programs and bring home a trophy. But try doing it with a camera, an approach worthy of a true sportsman.

PHILLIP L. COLLA

San Diego