Frank,
As a birder, conservationist and hunter your comments really ruffle my
feathers. The idea that what hunters do for wildlife is merely
propaganda shows that you need some help with some proper research of
the subject. So pardon my being so forward as to do that research for
you but...
US Fish & Wildlife website about Pittman-Robertson Act
full text here http://www.fws.gov/southeast/federalaid/pittmanrobertson.html
(emphasis mine)
"Then a remarkable thing happened. *At the urging of organized
sportsmen*, State wildlife agencies, and the firearms and ammunition
industries, Congress extended the life of an existing 10 percent tax on
ammunition and firearms used for sport hunting, and earmarked the
proceeds to be distributed to the States for wildlife restoration. The
result was called the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration act, better
known as the Pittman-Robertson (or "P-R") Act after its principal
sponsors, Senator Key Pittman of Nevada, and Representative A. Willis
Robertson of Virginia. The measure was signed into law by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 2, *1937*.
Since then, *numerous species have rebuilt their populations* and
extended their ranges far beyond what they were in the 1930's. Among
them are the *wild turkey*, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, *wood
duck*, beaver, black bear, g*iant Canada goose*, American elk, desert
bighorn sheep, bobcat, mountain lion, and several species of *predatory
birds.*"
"In the more than 50 years since P-R began, over $2 billion in Federal
excise taxes has been matched by more than *$500 million* in State funds
(*chiefly from hunting license fees*) for wildlife restoration."
"Various kinds of land have been acquired, including winter rangelands
necessary for big game animals in the North and West, and *wetlands,
essential to ducks and geese for nesting, wintering, and stopover
feeding and rest during migrations.*"
"Although Pittman-Robertson is *financed wholly by firearms users and
archery* enthusiasts, its benefits cover a much larger number of people
who never hunt but do enjoy such wildlife pastimes as *birdwatching*,
nature photography,"
"Fortunately, the Pittman-Robertson act *does not restrict use of funds*
to game species, but instead allows their use for *any species of wild
bird* or mammal."
Since 1937 it's the sportsmen and women who have put their money where
their mouth is to conserve wildlife and habitat. Wildlife and habitat
that all outdoors enthusiasts have been able to enjoy. So the next time
you're enjoying some good birds in a state forest or county park or
wildlife management area keep in mind that there's a good chance hunters
footed the bill that create that place for everyone to have access to.
Good birding (or hunting),
Chris Ordiway
Accokeek, MD
Frank Boyle wrote:
> As I was doing one 3-mile section of two that I cover for the annual C&O
> Canal Count, I encountered a few hunters on the river, also. Call me crazy
> (ok... no snickering from the peanut gallery!), but there is something
> inherently depressing about counting birds and then realizing they may be
> blasted out of existence for "sport" the next instant.
>
> I have heard the age-old propaganda about how much valuable habitat is
> preserved by groups like Ducks Unlimited, and it's ringing rather hollow
> now. There are better ways to conserve wildlife & their habitats than these
> unholy alliances and I think it's time to stop sport hunting of waterfowl.
>
> Yep, I just don't like killing animals for sport, and yep, I am very
> opinionated.
>
> ***********************
> Frank Boyle
> Rohrersville, MD
>
> ***********************
>
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