Mark Johnson, executive director of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, has asked Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher to investigate whether Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, engaged in a "breach of ethics and potential related illegalities" when she wrote to three conservation groups on House stationery, saying she was upset over policy positions the groups had taken and suggesting she might withhold personal contributions to the organizations.

Kahn mistakenly wrote the letter to the North American Bear Foundation. She also wrote to Audubon and The Nature Conservancy.

A copy of Kahn's letter was published in the Star Tribune Feb. 7.

Kahn told the Star Tribune Feb. 5 she did nothing wrong and was unconcerned about a possible ethics probe.

DENNIS ANDERSON