Letter From The President – Spring 2011

The weather this winter has made things difficult for wildlife and wildlife rehabilitators across the country as they struggled to deal with stressed wildlife suffering from frostbite and gunshot wounds.

State wildlife agencies lend a hand by offering incentives to landowners to keep their property usable for wildlife. Property owners are encouraged to maintain dense shrubs for ground-dwelling animals, and to sometimes maintain food plots for those trying to make it through difficult times. They are a fantastic source of information on what vegetation to have around for wildlife to feed upon through the winter, so take advantage of their knowledge in this regard.

But keep in mind that their intentions are not altruistic – they know that maintaining favorable conditions under which wildlife will thrive will result in more targets to shoot when the season begins. This is the underlying theme of “Wildlife Management.” A quick glance at the mission statement of your state wildlife agency will explain this clearly, as does this statement from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish:

Mission Statement of the NM Game Agency
To provide and maintain an adequate supply of wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico by utilizing a flexible management system that provides for their protection, conservation, regulation, propagation, and for their use as public recreation and food supply.

Words and phrases such as “flexible management system,” “conservation,” “regulation,” and “their use as public recreation and food supply” make it clear that such agencies are formed to serve hunters and anglers and not wildlife. To this end, they enlist their friends in government to write legislation favoring hunters and hunting at the expense of individual wild animals and public safety.

Bow hunting is big news again in New York. Assembly Bill A.2021-A will allow children as young as twelve-years-old to hunt wild deer and bears with bows and arrows. In Michagin a law has been introduced to eliminate a minimum hunting age. Please see our Action Alert on Facebook and at www.abolishsporthunting.org and make your voice heard.

As we keep our eye on legislation, reports of hunting accidents and violations continue to pour into our office. In this edition of the Courier you’ll see our many activities on behalf of the hunted. You’ll find my article explaining the difference between hunting and “poaching.” The gulf between the two is not as wide as hunters would have you believe.

Spring approaches and the return of the sun brings us new opportunities to make a difference for wildlife and to drive another nail into the coffin that is soon to entomb sport hunting. On behalf of C.A.S.H. and the wildlife we work for, thank you for helping us to continue our efforts.

As always, your contributions will allow us to do more to help, and we’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for your generous donations.

Peace,
Joe Miele, President.

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Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting / C.A.S.H.
P.O. Box 562
New Paltz, NY 12561
845/256-1400