I don't regard contractions as lesser. They allow better flow and fewer syllables--which, while less sophisticated, is more efficient--in my opinion, anyway. We all use them in speech.
Some people, in spite of their simplicity, cannot use them in writing.
Concerning the arguement, Bodhi, like I said before, I don't buy the whole 'my killing is better than your killing' approach. Whether you pulp a little animal or simply stop the heart of a large one, you're enjoying yourself in the process. Again, I'm a fan of hunting, but I'm also of the belief that there is no longer the widespread life or death need to do so. You can kill and eat a deer one week, and you can go to the grocery store the next. Given that, it becomes a choice, a choice involving stalking, pulling the trigger and inevitably enjoying the act of the kill. Concerning Prairie Dogs specifically, well, they're pests, and widely seen as vermin. I've personally never shot one. I have, however, since early childhood, been really good at shooting flies off windows and walls with rubber bands. I've yet to feel remorseful for doing so.
