For people in this region, the crow hunt is becoming less and less of a news story. There are fewer letters, fewer articles. But the loudest voices in this diminishing story are those of the protesters, both locally and statewide.

Those outside of Cayuga County who read about the hunt for the first time get their feathers in a bunch, fooled into believing this hunt is designed to cull the herd. It's not. These hunters don't make a dent in Auburn's crow population.

It's just a hunt and we support the rights of the hunters. The crow hunt is legal. Hunters break no laws. Let them have their brand of fun.

We're just surprised that those who condemn the hunt continue to squawk so loudly. By raising a ruckus each year over the crow hunt, these crow supporters are helping to draw attention to the event. The letters, the stories, the appeals, the protests ... all help elevate a story that actually deserves less ink as every year passes. And the more attention the protesters draw to Auburn's hunt, the more hunters are likely to enter.

If the real purpose of the protest is to eventually reduce or eliminate this hunt, then crow supporters should sit on their signs. Stay home. Stop writing letters.

There is no debate when there's only one voice. And one voice won't carry as far.

It could be that animal rights activists will continue to caw about this event, not so much to shut it down, but to draw attention to their position. If so, the crow hunt has been a made-to-order media soapbox for their platform, but it will only further generate interest in this event.

If they really want to see this crow hunt fade away, they should consider closing their beaks.

This hunt may not fade away until their protests do.