Another killing contest in Idaho…for a “good cause”

PATRICE GREANVILLE

_From St. Jude’s Hospital for Children* to this charity, Hannah Bates Memorial Rock Chuck Derby, the depraved killing of animals for “fun” and for a “good cause”, is a common and unquestioned cultural practice in many parts of America. What does it say about our mainstream values that even supposedly above board moral pursuits like charities cheerfully allow themselves to be used for such degenerate pastimes in the name of fundraising, moneys which, in any case, could and should be easily supplied by the government if the United States was not being led by warmongering criminals and banksters?

Southern and Western states, along with Pennsylvania, are notorious for their contempt for animal lives when it comes to human whims. The problem is of course national, no state in the union is exempt from this ethical disease, this plague afflicting wildlife, but these regions, for cultural and historical reasons, are especially virulent and disgusting in their speciesism.

Isn’t it time to revoke dominion? This particular event, as described in a special account below, took place in Idaho.

Holding the lifeless rock chuck by the tail, Jeff Huber dumped the bundle of fur into a five-gallon bucket, put it on a scale and waited for the results.

Huber was hoping for a high number, but the weight failed short of the 16.8 pound world record.
“It’s OK, I’ll just go out again for another one,” he said. “It’s a three-day event. I have time to get a bigger one.”

Huber was one of the 300 hunters registered in the sixth annual Hannah Bates Memorial Rock Chuck Derby.

The event includes a motorcycle run, a walk/run and auction, but the main goal is to shoot the biggest rock chuck and bring it back to the saloon where it can be weighed by judges. The winner will be announced Sunday and will receive a gun as a prize.

Hunters gather from all over the nation to participate, said Sandee Bates, Hannah’s mom.
The derby became dedicated in Hannah’s honor after the 20-year-old lost her battle with cancer in 2008. Ever since, the event raised more than $300,000, Bates said.

The money has gone to school athletic programs, local nonprofits and children’s cancer support groups.

“Every year it amazes me how many people show up to show their support,” Bates said. “People are so generous every year.”

As the event continues to grow, more people get to learn Hannah’s story and leave knowing they are supporting a good cause, said Carol Wood, one of the event planners and who knew Hannah.
“A little bit of Hannah touches of them,” she said.

Huber said in years past, he normally just participates in the motorcycle ride. This year, he and his son, Kameron McGarity, 14, decided to try hunting.

“We’ll be back,” he said. “We can get a bigger one.”

Why do hundreds of innocent yellow-bellied marmots (ignorantly referred to as “rock chucks”) have to pay with their lives for four years afterwards? The event already includes a motorcycle run, a walk/run and an auction, so why kill marmots at all? Hasn’t there been enough death?

Young marmots are dependent on their mothers this time of year. Derby contestants seek to kill the largest marmots for the “Weigh in,” leaving young kits like these to starve and die slowly…

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Protest, if you like, for what it’s worth—

Magic Valley Regional Supervisor
Jerome Hansen
IDFG Director
Virgil Moore
Mark Doerr, of Kimberly, is the Commissioner representing the Magic Valley Region

Idaho Division of Tourism Development
700 West State Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0093
phone: (800) 847-4843

Idaho travel assistance in Canada
(800) 474-3246 FREE
(800) 474-3246 FREE