Ask Uncle Joe – SUMMER/FALL 2015
GOT A QUESTION FOR UNCLE JOE? YOU CAN E-MAIL IT TO CASH@ABOLISHSPORTHUNTING.ORG. WOULD YOU RATHER SNAIL MAIL YOUR QUESTION? SEND IT TO: ASK UNCLE JOE, P.O. BOX 13815, LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO 88013. UNCLE JOE GETS A LOT OF MAIL SO DON’T BE OFFENDED IF HE CANNOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IN THE COURIER. LETTERS ARE PRINTED AS RECEIVED. THEY ARE UNEDITED.
Dear Uncle Joe:
I know from chatting with you online that C.A.S.H. supports Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) for feral cats. I have a question. I own a farm and have a few cats living in a barn. They were fixed when they were young and have stayed on my property for the past two years. We’ve been seeing more foxes lately and we’re concerned that they are a threat to the cats. What can we do to protect the cats from the foxes? I asked my neighbor and you can imagine what his “solution” was. I won’t hurt the foxes but I want to make sure the cats are ok. So far, none have been hurt. I won’t lock the cats up in the barn because that’s unfair to them.
Carol,
Salem County, NJ
Dear Carol:
Thank you for considering the welfare of the foxes – few of the farmers we’ve spoken with have initially wanted to protect wildlife but every so often we’re able to convince some that peaceful solutions to their problems exist. Your situation is a little different since you’ve not mentioned that foxes are impacting your farming, and that’s good to know.
Since the feral cats in your barn are spayed and neutered I don’t think there is much to worry about. Foxes and other wildlife typically found on New Jersey farms (raccoons, opossums, skunks, etc.) normally get along well with adult cats and you shouldn’t expect any harm to come to the cats. It’s a good thing that you’ve neutered them because foxes could be a threat to kittens, so keep an eye out for any new cats who may come to your barn seeking shelter. In keeping with good TNR practices, all newcomers should be trapped, neutered, vaccinated and returned as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Uncle Joe
Dear Uncle Joe:
You have posted information on your website about me and have included my home address! Yesterday I asked you to remove it and I see it is still on your site. You have put me in fear for my family. If this information available on my next search I will be taking legal action and will be in touch with my Attorney, as this is private information that I do not give you permission to share. I would prefer to keep this out of the courts. Unless need be.
D. Smith,
Midland, TX
Dear D.
At your request I’ve asked our webmaster to amend the article to remove any info that could identify you, but let’s get something straight – this is a courtesy and by no means an obligation. Perhaps if you weren’t in trouble with the police so often your identity wouldn’t be published in the press? A simple Google search has pulled up three cases of your arrests in the last two years, and your address has been posted on two online news sites. Are you threatening those news services with legal action also? Probably not.
Instead of lobbing hollow threats toward us, you should stop killing harmless animals and learn how to obey the law (I don’t mean game agency law).
Sincerely,
Uncle Joe
Dear Uncle Joe:
I just heard of something called an “atlatl” that hunters use to throw spears at unsuspecting animals! How can these things be legal? Don’t hunters say that they try to kill animals as quickly and painlessly as possible? Cave men used these things – how can they say they are humane?
Nora,
Arlington, TX
Dear Nora,
Yes, hunters are salivating at the opportunity to further devolve to the level of savages and cavemen by using atlatls to kill animals.
An atlatl is a long stick-like tool used to hold a spear or dart, acting as an extension of the throwing arm to increase the velocity and distance of the thrown object. A simple way to think about this is to picture those “ball throwers” that people use to toss tennis balls for dogs to fetch.
Spear-throwing devices have been dated to the Upper Paleolithic era, with the earliest known example being a 17,500 year-old atlatl made of reindeer antler. Hunters tell us they “harvest” animals without causing them to suffer, but their claim holds little water when you realize how difficult it is to accurately throw a dart from an atlatl. In online atlatl forums hunters talk about how they can throw their darts long distances, but they have trouble hitting targets when practicing. Lighter weight darts improve throwing accuracy they say, but according to some hunters lighter darts may not be suitable for killing animals as large as deer.
Hunters in Alabama and Nebraska can use atlatls to kill deer, and Missouri allows atlatl hunting for all wildlife and fish. Modern darts can be equipped with the same broadheads that bow hunters use for their arrows.
With technology available to them to make hunting more accurate, it’s unreal that they want to use some of the crudest methods known, and even more unreal that such methods are legal in many states.
Regards,
Uncle Joe
Dear Uncle Joe:
I don’t know if you remember me but I wanted to thank you for your help. I needed information on turkey hunting and tips for public speaking and you told me that speaking in front of a crowd becomes easier as you become more confident with your knowledge of the subject you’re speaking about. How right you were. After learning more about turkeys and turkey hunting I gained the confidence to speak at the public game commission hearing. It was stressful seeing over 50 people in the room but I remembered what you said about focusing only on the turkeys and speaking to the commissioners. I was able to speak to them on the microphone at the podium without thinking about the people who were present in the crowd. You should go on the speaking circuit teaching people how to put aside their fears, I think. Thanks for your help.
Brendt,
Middletown, PA
Dear Brendt:
I learned long ago that to be an effective advocate for wildlife one has to be able to speak confidently in front of groups of people to take a stand and make a point. With the fear of public speaking being one of the most common phobias, it’s important that those of us with difficulty in this area set aside or overcome this fear so we can better represent ourselves and the wildlife we care so passionately about.
Like you said, I’ve always found that public speaking comes easier when you have a thorough knowledge of the subject being discussed. At public Fish and Game meetings understanding what, why, where, and how they plan to do things gives you a head start. Knowing what viable alternatives to killing exist is step two, and learning how to speak with passion and conviction without sounding too emotional is next. Practice, practice practice. Toastmasters International is an organization that could help you develop public speaking skills. If you are interested, check out their website for helpful articles and information on local meetings.
Peace,
Uncle Joe