November 29, 2011
By George Roof, DoverPost.com
Recent events in Sussex County demand that we talk about it and bring
it to light since the reputation and character of every ethical hunter
out there is affected.
Two weeks ago, reports started to trickle in about deer being
“dumped” along Sussex County highways in or near state wildlife areas.
The obvious conclusion was that “hunters” had done it and as hard as I
try, I can’t say that’s not the obvious conclusion all of us would
reach.
The part that irks me is that I’m a hunter and I’m not that kind of
person.
I would hope that the majority of you are like me, but we know that
there are slobs who hide among us and who aren’t above this type of
behavior.
Subsequently, unless people like you and I take a stand and point these
scofflaws out to authorities if we know them, then we are as culpable as
they are for letting all of us be impugned for such actions.
Delaware, like most states, has a “wanton waste” clause in its
wildlife laws. The means simply that if you shoot it, you retrieve it,
and you make effective use of the animal.
The insidiousness of the entire episode is that Delaware has one of
the most hunter-friendly programs for donating venison to the needy and
to facilities who prepare meals for these people. All one has to do is
transport the carcass to one of many F&W freezer locations and donate
it. You don’t even have a bill to pay in the process. The animal is
transported to the Sussex Correctional Institute where trusted inmates
butcher it and grind the venison into burger. It is packaged and
provided at no cost to those facilities that desire it. Nothing could be
easier.
Each of us has to be part of policing ourselves. Turning in some slob
like this is the only way to stop them from ruining our sport. As
hunters, we all know the woods have eyes. Be a part of protecting our
heritage and help keep our sport the celebration of wildlife
conservation that it is.
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