The story about Henry Ladd Sr. of Bow is proof that political correctness has gone too far ("Unrepentant traditionalists," Monitor front page, Nov. 12).

As a lifelong hunter I can attest to the fact that times have changed. This is why, upon moving into a condo in East Concord, I began paying a local butcher to process my game for me - there being no sufficient place to do it myself out of view of the neighbors.

In the first couple years I lived here, I practiced with my bow behind our development after getting the okay from my neighbors. But this respect was short-lived.

Though I practiced early and late in the day using a safe backstop and only if no children or pets were in the vicinity, our condo maintenance supervisor eventually received an anonymous complaint and informed me that I'd have to find another place to hone my archery skills. Since then I've found a new place, only to have my $180 deer target destroyed by an anonymous vandal.

I commend all non-hunters who come to the defense of folks like Ladd and me - you are truly respectful of diversity.

To those indoctrinated by the radical animal rights crowd: I remind you that hunters were the first conservationists. We put the most time, money and sweat equity into preserving our wildlife and wild places, even as we fight to preserve our beloved tradition from attacks by the misinformed.

To those whose life goal seems to be finding things to be offended by: The venison steaks thawing in my refrigerator today are the free-range, cage-free, organic, environmentally friendly, renewable, locally grown protein source - unlike the meat (or tofu) you find neatly packaged in plastic at the local supermarket.

DAN WILLIAMS

Concord