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Protecting wildlife, habitat by promoting a peaceful world
The Pilot-Independent
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 03:21:51 PM
If wildlife could read, they would be overjoyed with Babe Winkelman's recent
column about the decline in the popularity of hunting and fishing within
Minnesota and also nationwide. While some may attribute the decline to
Americans not being as "outdoorsy" as we used to be, others are coming to the
realization that violence disguised as recreation is nonetheless violence and
as such is wholly unacceptable. As Shakespeare said "What's in a name? A rose
by any other name would smell as sweet."
The state Department of Natural Resources is concerned about this downward
spiral because it is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses,
as well the excise taxes affixed to the cost of weapons, ammunition, and
hunting/fishing equipment. In an attempt to increase the number of hunters
and anglers in the state, the DNR is attempting to promote the sport through
special youth hunts and a new "hunter apprentice" program.
But instead of promoting hunting, the DNR should recognize that sport hunting
is a sinking ship and rather than trying to make it seaworthy, it should be
abandoned in favor of a new kind of look toward the future. Even DNR
officials have been quoted in the Pilot-Independent as saying "Hunters and
anglers are the heart and soul of the North American wildlife management
model, and unfortunately now that model is broken."
As the number of hunters in Minnesota has been declining over the past 10
years, the number of wildlife watchers has increased by more than 30 percent.
There are now more Minnesotans than ever before who participate in observing,
feeding and photographing wildlife in their natural habitat.
The DNR has been presented with a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of
this veritable army of wildlife watchers who can help preserve wildlife and
habitat for years to come — all that is needed is for the DNR to shift its
focus away from hunting and fishing and toward wildlife watching. Let's
repeal the tax on weapons and ammunition and replace it with a similar tax on
items such as binoculars, backpacks, cameras and other outdoor-related
equipment used by wildlife watchers.
The funds collected can be dedicated toward the protection and preservation
of wildlife and the areas where they live, making the need to depend on
hunting, weapons and violence obsolete.
In doing this, the Department of Natural Resources can protect wildlife and
habitat and ensure its own survival in the process. To protect wildlife and
habitat while promoting a more peaceful world, please visit
www.wildwatch.org.
Joe Miele, vice president
Wildlife Watch, Inc., New Paltz, NY |
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