This is about deer -- and you, dear readers.

You who took time to respond to a Dec. 18, 2006 column I wrote about deer hunting ("Deer Hunting Necessary, But Must We Revel In It?") have absolutely astounded me.

Deer people, you have made me think, whether approving or disapproving of my stance.

That I could never hunt is fact, be it right or wrong. My feelings regarding deer hunting, in particular, are exposed within the headline; I question why we revel in the kill, not that we -- or you -- hunt.

There are many reasons for the hunt, some difficult to explain, although some readers tried admirably.

Letters and e-mails showed compassion, and they explained in somewhat magnificent prose what is experienced in an age-old tradition people like myself can't imagine.

One reader accused me of writing tongue-in-cheek, knowing I couldn't be serious, but he responded "tongue-in-cheek" to tell me so.

The wit made me smile, but he was wrong. I was very serious.

Another reader sent me a picture of himself, holding up his trophy, a dead antlered deer. He was, of course, smiling. I couldn't, even if that deer provided food for a family of five.

Most writers made a point of not wanting to see trapped animals used in a ratings game on TV, and they didn't want to see the gutting of a deer as people laugh and chug down a beer. But they defended hunting.

Letters reminded me "Bambi" is fiction. They scolded me because I was not sensitive to a couple who had recently been attacked by a whitetail buck in Clinton County.

I was also reminded this country would never have been founded if it weren't for hunting, trapping and fishing.

It was also suggested I consult my Bible.

I was sent statistics regarding deer kills; given opinions, pro and con, about the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

From Bob Fuhrman, Wyalusing, Bradford County: "No one can adequately explain the essence of the hunter to a non-hunter. Most hunters revere wildlife."

Gary Chiurazzi of Peoria, Ariz. is a lifelong sportsman and avid archery hunter.

"There is a need to balance what we as mankind so long ago disrupted. I also believe that we have an absolute obligation to treat the animals we pursue with the respect and compassion due any living creature."

I was also reminded there have been an untold number of times we have seen footage of hunters, and others, attempting to rescue an animal stranded on ice, trapped in mud, entangled in a fence. I am always touched by that show of humanity.

Judy Brainard is from Michigan, another deer-hunting state. "We seem to be moving more and more into the animals' habitat and many have the attitude just clearing out the wildlife is the answer. I disagree."

"I'm an ex-hunter," writes George Nagle, "and 98 percent of hunting is not for food but is trophy hunting."

He mentioned Vice President Dick Cheney hunting in Ligonier, slaughtering 400 pen-raised pheasants and duck dumped right in front of them with no escape.

From Fred Ludwig, Hayward, Calif.: "My Dad was a hunter and he went to an area near Kane, Pa. every year with his buddies. As best I can remember, he never shot a deer, and that's fine with me. I hope his real intentions for that annual getaway was for the quiet peaceful experience with friends in the woods of northwestern Pennsylvania."

"I am a deer hunter," writes Frank Wytiaz of McCandless. "I am also a conservationist and environmentalist. Man and his need to develop has provided such lush ecosystems that animals can obtain a high level of nutrition and support a larger group of offspring closer to us, not in the mountains where hunting camps used to be found.

"I can't to save my soul keep a flower growing in my yard due to infestation of deer. I counted 16 dead deer last week along Route 179, probably due to car collisions, not hunters. We indeed have a problem, and I am at a loss for an answer."

Rick Freeman of Mt. Lebanon sees another side of hunting and its legacy, not to mention giving children plush toy animals they learn to love.

"Not only did Lily, my 10-year-old, see "Bambi" when she was younger but we have always had real deer come and take naps in our yard. Now that the township leaders have decided to kill the deer she loves so much, there is emotional damage to these kids who have grown up watching them. It's a confusing thing."

All information shared was interesting, never preachy or arrogant. Everyone feels something, and most of it is honorable.

But H. B. Grove of Martinsburg, Pa., begs to disagree.

"Are you serious with this piece, or kidding us? This is pure drivel. How you feel is no concern of mine and most others and I don't think this kind of claptrap belongs in the PG.

"Your only point was that you object to seeing pictures or hearing stories of humans doing what they have done since God placed us all at the top of the food chain."

That was the point of my claptrap, sir. You got it.

I expect more compassion from those of us placed at the top of the food chain.