A lot of silly things were done in the 1980's (anybody still have their
mullet cut?) but thankfully wildlife research, studies and the decision
making process related to wildlife has improved vastly. As an example; Paul
Peditto of the MD-DNR is extremely involved with the changes made to the
hunting regulations every two years and keeps the hunting public informed of
proposals and invites hunters and non-hunters alike to email regarding said
changes and regulations. That wouldn't have happened in the 1980's. And we
didn't have the Sportsmen Caucus in the 1980's keeping watch for
conservation/habitat destroying legislature proposed by folks who are more
interested in their wallets than wildlife. Even if you don't like
hunting/firearms you can thank those guys for saving untold amounts of
habitat for the birds we all love. That's not to say that someone (from
either party) might not slip some slimey legislature into place that leads
to a fiasco like the described owl situation. It's just a lot less likely
now.

So I'm not sure what pouncing like a cougar (on a jogger? hehe couldn't
resist) would accomplish when I'm sure that the decisions regarding gamebird
regulations are being made by guys like Paul. Decisions based on firm
scientific data, not the "warm & fuzzies" that passed as good enough reasons
20 years ago.

Happy Birding.
Chris Ordiway
Callaway, Md.

PS: Forget Mikulski's ear, you'd better aim for her wallet. :)


-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Gerald & Laura Tarbell
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 8:40 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Endangered Cranes Shot - not in MD


From: "Paula Sullivan": I would love to know why the Migratory Bird Treaty
does not apply to Sandhill Cranes.

Obviously, this question needs an answer. However one could also question
woodcocks and several other 'game' birds. The cat is probably already out of
the barn on this but if any event lends itself to creating the furor it will
require to turn the tide, this is it. I say we pounce like cougars!
    I do know that back in the 1980's, our beloved neighbors north of the
Mason Dixon (my home state of PA) stuck their necks into it. A hunting lobby
convinced their legislators that a recent decline in rabbits was caused by
predation by great horned owls. How they reached that conclusion is
anybody's guess. Nonetheless, the legislature bought it and permitted the
shooting of owls.
    The law was immediately scratched from the books when somebody from the
feds pointed out it violated federal protection. If there is an
inconsistency in law here, somebody needs to point it out to somebody that
can do something about it. Anybody out there got somebody like Mikulski's
ear? I think we may need a bill. the chance of it passing in these
Republican times is hard to say but we can sure make a fuss.
    Jerry



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