Nicholas Kristof's article "For Environmental Balance, Pick Up a Rifle", which appeared in the New York Times, attempts to convince the American people that deer pose a danger to humans as they take more lives each year than any other American mammal. He says deer populations, uncontrolled by predators, are increasing in an unnatural manner and destroying ecosystems in many parts of the country. The suggestion he gives to his readers is that we need to kill deer to bring down the population and avoid so many human deaths. Kristof seems to support the hunt without worrying too much about the other alternatives. Although he includes statistical data to reinforce his point, other types of support he provides could be considered irrelevant or partial. Kristof begins his article by inviting his readers to answer a simple question: “Which large American mammal kills the most humans each year? " He follows it with a list of animals known for their predatory nature such as the bear, wolf and puma only to reveal that the real culprit is a deer. The way the question is presented seems misleading, as if the animal intentionally intended to harm a human being. Instead of using the word “kill”, perhaps the words “are involved in the death of” would have been more appropriate. In this way, they do not imply that the death was intentional. author provides information describing the deer population in some parts of New Jersey; however, he does not include any data regarding the population in the rest of the United States, nor does he include any sources from which this information may have been obtained inclined to agree with him if he provides statistics that reflect the deer population everywhere. Kristof implies that... halfway through the article... he tries to make up the anecdote to support his thesis that deer. they are a threat to humans. The author concludes by stating that it is “time to restore balance to the natural world by accepting the idea that hunting is as natural as birdwatching.” Kristof links a passive act to an act of aggression. While it is possible that both could bring a sense of pleasure to the participant, it is difficult to believe that a person could get the same levels of enjoyment from both, especially considering that both actions are at the extreme ends of the same spectrum. believes that although Kristof presents a strong case in support of deer hunting for population control and provides accurate statistical data, he fails to include strong support for any alternative methods and in some cases omits information in an attempt to manipulate the feelings of the his audience on the issue.