Wildlife Refuge and Hunting Just Doesn't Mix
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

VeganBlogger
December 2010

So just how is it that a national "refuge" allows hunting?

There is a place about an hour south of where I live called the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (southeast U.S.). It's a beautiful place that I like to go and especially take visitors to see. You can take a scenic drive through it in your car, making a few stops along the way and see manatees, roseate spoonbills, bald eagles, manatees, and much more. A wonderful place, filled with lots of wildlife!

I was viewing the website for the refuge today here, when I saw something that really irked me. So I thought I would share it here with you.

A refuge, by definition is a place that shelters and protects from danger. A "wildlife refuge" then would be a protective area for wildlife. Yet on the refuge's website they state:

Waterfowl Hunting 2010/2011 - Hunting occurs in most areas of the refuge from sunrise to 12 pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. No hunting is allowed along Black Point Wildlife Drive. For detailed information the 2010/2011 hunting regulations are now available.

I have to admit that I read that several times. I then went to the online dictionary to confirm what I thought the word "refuge" meant.

So just how is it that a national "refuge" allows hunting? It is in direct contradiction to the definition of what they claim to be. If they are going to allow the animals to be hunted and killed then I propose they drop the word "refuge" and call it "area" or something that does not claim protection for the animals. 

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