I reside close to Island Center Forest (ICF) and consider it my extended backyard. I am outraged and appalled at King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks for continuing to allow hunting in ICF.

I normally would recommend ICF to anyone as a beautiful place to walk, run or bike, but I no longer feel safe using the trails in ICF. Why? Because there is no possible clear line of sight for any hunter in ICF, regardless of their skill level.

The county banned motorized vehicles from ICF, as they cannot possibly mix safely with other users. However, concerns for public safety go out the window when it comes to appeasing the few who want to hunt. The argument for deer culling holds no water. I can honestly say I have never seen a deer in ICF, despite walking or bike riding there almost every day for the past seven years. Hunting in ICF has had zero impact on reducing the deer population.

So let’s be honest about the reasons for allowing hunting in ICF: It has nothing to do with deer culling; it is simply about people demanding to participate in the sport of hunting on public lands.

I strongly urge the Department of Natural Resources and Parks to make public safety a top priority and ban all types of hunting in ICF.

The political gesture of supplying safety vests is an insult. Maybe hang bullet-proof vests at the entrances instead — although a bullet-proof vest would not have saved the life of Carlos Pablo Carrillo, 24, of Shelton, who died last week from a gunshot wound to the head by a hunter who thought he was a bear.

Hunting in densely forested areas used by the public is accidental death waiting to happen.

— Orla Blythe