Back in 1902, Teddy Roosevelt traveled to Mississippi to hunt bear. When he couldn't find any, his guide trapped one and tied it to a tree for him to shoot. T.R. refused, spurring the Washington Post to run a cartoon of this kind act. Rose Michton of Brooklyn created a beloved stuffed bear for her candy store window and named it "Teddy's bear." This legendary toy turns 100 this year.

Bears once suffered from an image problem, but generations of children in love with Teddy, Smokey and Yogi Bear changed that. What childhood image do crows evoke? Probably the troublesome "Heckle and Jeckle."

Crows have been a nuisance to farmers forever and their reputation as scavengers is well-deserved. Since it is legal to shoot them in the country, little could be done to stop a planned "crow shoot" for charity. Animal rights groups vehemently opposed this event, but could do little of substance to stop it. Oddly, everyone is suddenly using the word "sentient."

I don't hunt deer and I avoid hitting animals on the road when I can. I am disgusted by the sight of gutted deer strapped to automobiles, yet I recognize the ancient rite of hunting. I realize responsible hunters have been this country's most ardent conservationists. My problem with PETA and other animal rights groups is their socialist agenda takes precedence over their rhetorical kindness to animals. The issue of a "crow shoot" is not about hunters vs. non-hunters, it's about mindless killing vs. political correctness. This is one topic where I favor neither side.

Auburn's crow problem is a phenomenon that still hasn't been reminiscent of Hitchcock's "The Birds." While some may think killing a few won't matter, I think killing for charity is somehow wrong. Much like the crass sport of "dwarf tossing," the legal act of shooting crows for fun is an event I'll skip.

Eventually, we will capitalize on the crows' annual swarming, much like the residents of Capistrano celebrate the return of swallows. Auburn has plenty to crow about in the summer, so now it's time for a unique winter event. It would draw national attention.

If the lowly crow inspired a cute, stuffed toy like the Teddy bear, its future would be assured. For now, we are left with a noisy, messy problem with no immediate solution. Kill a crow? Go ahead, it's legal. Just don't expect any encouragement from me.

Roger Hare's column appears each Tuesday, in response to Ron VanNostrand's Monday column.