Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:27:00 -0800
Reply-To: Charlie <cmmbirds@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Charlie <cmmbirds@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: This email is laden with my opinions...
In-Reply-To: <EEEIKPOHDKJJBKGCOOMOAEOFDEAA.pjnkodi@mindspring.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Hi Parrie,
I am not a hunter myself, but wanted to reply to your comments about
hunting on an NWR.
First, the decline of many duck species likely has little, if
anything to do with hunting. It is the loss of habitat that is doing
the damage primarily, along with some other problems such as
outbreaks of certain diseases caused by over-crowding when the ducks
all have the same limited resources. I know a number of wildlife
managers, and they are all concerned about ensuring that duck
populations do not decline.
Second, NWRs have always had hunting on them. In my opinion, they
are poorly named. I'd prefer the name National Wildlife Management
Areas, as that is really their purpose. While many (most?) have
areas set aside that are more what you and I would call refuges, they
are first and foremost, designed to manage the population of many
species (not just ducks). Hunting is, in many cases, a logical part
of management.
Again, I am not a hunter. But I feel that too often
environmental-minded people ("us") are too critical of the hook and
bullet crowd ("them"). In my opinion, we are 2 groups who have a lot
more in common than not. We have so many of the same needs and
ideas, that it pains me we do not work together. Meanwhile, the
entities that gobble up good habitat - thus hurting both nature
enthusiasts and hunters - are taking advantage of our lack of
connection and lack of organization.
I personally commend the vast majority of work done by the managers
of NWRs, and make sure to buy a duck stamp every year.
I suggest that any birder who sees a hunter stop and chat with
him/her sometime. See how much we have in common. They can be neat
folks.
Good birding!
--- Parrie Pinyan <pjnkodi@MINDSPRING.COM> wrote:
> (Deer hunters told us on Thursday that the Bradley Unit was open
> only on Wednesdays for the duck hunters. They were going in on
bicycles.) Duck hunting on a National Wildlife Refuge!!!??? (The
ducks are hunted from August to January--Canada to Louisiana-and
their numbers are WAY down.)
>
> Parrie Pinyan
> (Usually Cherokee County)
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
**********
To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
http://www.listserv.uga.edu/archives/gabo-l.html
To contact a listowner, send message to
GABO-L-request@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
To view GABO-L information/guidelines, go to
http://www.gos.org/gabo.html
