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The C.A.S.H. Courier NewsletterSelected Articles from our Fall 2011 IssueLetter From the PresidentJoe’s Journal You know hunting season is upon us when hunter harassment raises its ugly head. The kind of hunter harassment I’m talking about is not the kind where citizens are ticketed for using a bullhorn to frighten deer away from a hunter, but the kind that is a serious affront to the rights of all citizens. Each year private property owners are targeted by hunters and the state game agencies that represent them when they are hit with false charges of harassment or interfering with wildlife. In an effort to allow hunters to trespass upon private property and kill wildlife that has become comfortable living in close proximity to people, hunting agencies send conservation officers to follow up on the bogus claims of frustrated hunters. Have you shouted at a hunter who has fired in the direction of your property and possibly within the buffer zone? Don’t be surprised if you’re confronted by one of the DNR’s goons with a summons in hand. One C.A.S.H. supporter was recently cited for “unlawful feeding of wildlife”
for having a bird feeder on her property. The complaint was made by her
neighbor, a hunter, who ironically feeds his pigs and has a corn spreader
only a few hundred feet away. Not surprisingly, the state conservation
officer didn’t see that feeding pigs outdoors and using a corn spreader was
illegally feeding wildlife, but that a common hardware-store-bought bird
feeder was. This is harassment, and hunters and game agencies are often
guilty of it. The best ways to guard against being harassed by hunters is to post your property well and to document everything that happens, on video if possible. Carefully document names, locations and occurrences and let those harassing you know that you will bring the matter to the attention of their superiors or if necessary, the attorney general’s office. Many times a big, manly hunter will back down like a little child when confronted with a video camera. Preventing a harassment charge from being brought against you by a hunter is always preferable to finding yourself engaged in a protracted legal case where you’re forced into defending your rights. In other news, it seems that people are becoming more aware and disturbed by the hunting that is taking place around them. As they encroach more on private property and shoot closer to homes, regular citizens are beginning to see what they are doing! The now aware public wants information about how to stop it, even how to sabotage a hunt. They are writing and calling, telling us that the hunters in the woods behind their homes are shooting the deer they have loved for years; they are begging for help. “Please help.” We cannot offer advice on how to sabotage, but if you turn to the Internet you may find what you are looking for. Stay well and stay safe this hunting season by wearing blaze orange. Keep your companion animals safe also with a blaze orange scarf or coat. Hunters will shoot at anything that moves. Protect yourself and your loved ones. Thank you for being there for the hunted wildlife. As always, thank you for your generous support of C.A.S.H. With your help, C.A.S.H. will be able to do so much more. Your end-of-the year-contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Go on to
As Hunting Gets Closer to Home, Wildlife
Friends are Killed |