The other day, I picked up my local sports page and there were four stories on the front page.

One was about the Bucks. One was about the Packers. One was about high school football. And one was about deer hunting.

That got me to thinking about deer hunting, and why in the world it is included on the sports pages of our state.

I am not denying that many people go deer hunting. Estimates are that more than 600,000 hunters take to the woods. I am also not denying that the hunt provides a valuable ecological and economic function.

But a sport? I think not.

First, let's take the numbers. I'd be willing to bet that more people play video poker games in taverns around the state, but that doesn't mean video poker is a sport. I bet almost as many people knit and crochet. Still, not a sport.

Then, there is the element of competition. You either get a deer or you don't. I don't see standings in the paper of number of points or weight or pounds of ground venison. There is no competition, at least between the players.

There is, I admit, competition between the deer and the hunter. That competition is pretty heavily weighted in favor of the hunter who may sit in a tree, eating snacks and drinking, with a big old gun laying by his side. Along comes the innocent deer and BAM! One for me, none for you.

It would be much more even if we could figure out a way to give the deer guns and let them wear camo. Alternatively, maybe we could take the guns away and make hunters go after deer with a knife only. I give the deer much better odds in that hunt.

Now, let's talk about the famous tree stands.

This is where a hunter may sit, waiting for the unsuspecting deer to come wandering by. In your stand you will have a weapon, ammunition, maybe an iPod or transistor radio (do they still make transistor radios?), lots of food and drink, in some cases even beer or brandy, just for warmth, mind you. You can also have some kind of gimmick that makes a sound that's supposed to be music to the ears of a deer. Doesn't sound real sporting to me.

Finally, there's the matter of fitness. I checked online and there was a place that offered size-8X hunting clothing. That's 375 pounds, at least. Unless you are an offensive or defensive lineman, that's way too big to be a sportsman.

So let's get deer hunting off the sports pages. It belongs with things like hiking, tree climbing, leaf raking and maybe even gardening.

On talkbacks: Finally, just a word about the OnMilwaukee.com talkback feature.

I love the interactive nature of it. I get lots and lots of criticism from readers. I don't mind a difference of opinion, but I get a little irritated when things get personal. I'm a big boy and I can take it.

Last week, I wrote a letter giving some advice to Trenni Kusnierek, the broadcaster who is moving to New York.

Some of the Talkbacks were unbelievably petty. I'll tell you they had the clear ring of jealousy.

I just find it hard to give any credence to criticism that sounds like it is born of envy rather than argument.

Trenni's a good kid. She works hard. She's got a shot at the big time. She might make it and she might come home whipped. But, we ought to be proud of her and hopeful for her.

If you are one of those petty criticizers who have your shorts in a bundle about this, you should be ashamed of yourself.