When I read the headline in the Nov. 15 paper, “Wounded buck dies in Norway Lake,” I thought the rather lengthy article would contain at least one single solitary observation of how this poor creature suffered in its final moments of life.

But what a dreamer I was to think that during Maine’s sacred season that anyone would voice a thought of compassion for the animals that need to give their lives to satisfy our bloodlust.

Instead, I was treated to the unfounded observation that “injured animals are drawn to water.” Injured animals run downhill because it is easier than running uphill. The Law of Gravity dictates that water is often found at the bottom of downhill slopes.

And let us not forget the nearly philosophical observation of our wise and valiant observers that the “deer did naturally what God intended it to do.” No, it was doing that before someone pumped a piece of lead into its body. Just trying to live, survive and propagate in a world that was filled with enough adversity even before the bullets start flying.

Then again, what does a wimp like me know about the nobility of hunting? I have never killed a deer or even fired a rifle. But I do know the true measure of a man is how much suffering we alleviate not how much we cause.

Barry Allen, Norway