New York
Sent by Anne Muller
NEW YORK - Gov. David A. Paterson sent a letter to the editor of the
New Paltz weekly paper in which he commended Chris Harp’s “tremendous
work in fostering awareness and knowledge of naturalistic and organic
beekeeping practices in NYS.” He praised Harp’s “unique, empathetic
approach to the plight of the honeybee” which he said had encouraged
“greater consideration of the reciprocal relationship between this
invaluable creature and humans.” Gov. Paterson went on to say that by
“emphasizing care and respect for the honeybee over opportunism and
disregard,” Harp’s teachings “provide a healthier alternative for modern
apiculture, as well as a broader human message of the significance of
compassion in contemporary society.”
C.A.S.H. loves all of the words, and agrees wholeheartedly, but we
have to ask if Gov. Paterson was thinking about compassion when he
signed the Bill to lower the hunting age for big game to 14 in NYS.
Anne Muller is editor of C.A.S.H. Courier.
Mississippi
Sent to C.A.S.H. by Suzi Dobbelaere
Former Republican Mississippi state senator Mike Gunn has entered
guilty pleas to charges he took young Canada geese from their habitat
and killed them in his gas grill. He was fined $5,000 and must perform
80 hours of unspecified community service. Gunn was seen taking the
geese April 25th by neighbor Carol Boland. Boland said her attention was
drawn to Gunn when she saw adult geese attacking him, trying to save
their young. She said he put the goslings in a gas grill and when that
didn’t kill them, he beat them to death. Gunn told authorities he fed
the geese to his dog. Jim Walker, spokesman for Mississippi Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks, the agency that first investigated the incident,
said he was pleased with the sentence. “What’s important to remember is
the despicable way these baby geese or goslings were killed, and if we
find others doing that we will all wind up right back here in federal
court,” Walker said.
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Suzi Dobbelaere is a Canada Goose Protector.
Sent by Val Will
A letter sent to Gordon Batcheller of the New York State DEC.
I am against the proposed regulation to open new areas for bear
hunting. I attended Mr. Spierto’s “bear meeting” that was held in South
Wales. I was pleased to hear him say that most bear problems are caused
by people. It was so great when he agreed with me that education was the
key to preventing bear problems.
The “education is the key” theme quickly turned to a pro-bear hunting
theme.
I have read news stories that told how even when bear populations
increased in some areas, bear conflicts decreased. The reason: well-run
public educational programs. How refreshing if you would have announced
the details of a full-fledged bear education program instead of
increasing bear hunting opportunities.
I can’t help but ponder how convenient an increase in bear hunting
areas could be with all those fourteen year olds out there to recruit.
Talk about lucky timing!
I am more worried about trespassing hunters on my country property
than I am concerned about running into bear problems. After reading many
informative websites and even your own brochures I have learned how to
avoid conflicts with bears. I have yet to find information on how to
keep hunters from breaking the laws though. That wasn’t covered in the
hunter safety course I took. I think it’s time to have public meetings
that educate the people on what to do to avoid having problems with big
game hunters who don’t believe the hunting laws pertain to them.
I am asking you to not open new areas for bear hunting. I eagerly
await your response.
Valerie Will is Wildlife Director, Animal Advocates of WNY
