MISSOULA, Mont. - Once a wild game animal, now a product of commercialism and chemistry.

Today's upward trend in deer (and elk) breeding and shooting operations is reaching critical mass, compromising traditional hunting and conservation, and fueling a strong new response from America's first conservation and hunter advocacy organization, the Boone and Crockett Club.

The Club yesterday published a new position statement outlining its concerns.

"We encourage every hunter to read this position in its entirety," said Morrie Stevens Sr., president of the Club. "The core topic - privatizing a public resource for individual profits - has the power to change the foundations of hunting and its historic ties to conservation. And crossing the line from wildlife to agricultural commodity represents a fundamental shift in American culture. We think the ramifications are worth considering carefully."

The position statement also addresses:

• Selective breeding, artificial insemination, regimented feeding and pharmaceutical drugs to achieve unnaturally large antlers in deer and elk.
  
• Commercial values based on artificial trophy size.
  
• Ethics of altering native wildlife and then shooting these animals in escape-proof, fenced enclosures.
  
• Breeding operations' potential for transmitting diseases to wild herds.
  
• Risk of weakened public support for hunting. In a democracy, hunting exists only at the pleasure of voters. Hunting's public image matters more than ever.

To read the Boone and Crockett Club's full position statement visit the URL below.

http://www.boone-crockett.org/about/positions_Deer_Breeders.asp?area=about&ID=6B455080&se=1&te=1