I support much of what Alicia has written. I admire her effort putting it
together. I do think there is a wider perspective on funding for USFW refuges.
Operational expenses come out of the US budget. That includes salaries,
equipment, maintenance, and all other yearly expenses that go on forever after
the land is purchased. I pay for that in my taxes.By the way, I have been a
member of Ducks Unlimited.
John
On Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 06:35:08 PM EST, Peter Saracino
<petersarac...@gmail.com> wrote:
Trying to find out.
On Thu, Dec 8, 2022, 5:44 PM <t...@ottcmail.com> wrote:
Birders often buy a duck stamp, too. According to Ducks Unlimited, "Each
year, about 25 percent of all duck stamps are purchased by individuals who do
not hunt waterfowl that particular year. Many of these stamps are bought by
collectors and avid conservationists who support habitat programs funded by
duck stamp sales." My husband & I don't hunt but we get one at the Post Office
each year, every Post Office carries them. This year the Duck Stamp feature a
pair of Redheads and cost $25, 98% of which goes directly to help acquire and
protect wetland habitat and purchase conservation easements for the National
Wildlife Refuge System.
Question to folks who have experience with bears: wasn't that bear pretty
small? Seems like the ones I have seen in the wild (always running away from
us so not ideal views) were larger, but maybe that's just the way the photo was
taken?
Alicia
On 12/8/2022 5:05 PM, Alyssa Johnson wrote:
This is going to be long; I apologize in advance! But as a huge advocate for
hunting, a former colleague of MNWR, and a bear lover, I wanted to share my
perspective. Something I discovered while working out at Montezuma Audubon was
the general public’s misconception about what a "wildlife refuge" is, and its
purpose. The following was taken from the National Wildlife Refuge System
website:
About Us: The National Wildlife Refuge System lands and waters serve a purpose
distinct from that of other U.S. public lands: Wildlife conservation drives
everything on national wildlife refuges, from the purposes for which each
refuge was established to the recreational activities offered, to the resource
management tools used.
The mission of the refuge system is "To administer a national network of lands
and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration
of fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United
States for the benefit of the present and future generations of Americans."
I'd like to focus on the highlighted sections and in particular the word
"conservation". At its very simplest, conservation means "wise use", and in
this case, the wise use of natural resources which includes fish, wildlife, and
plants. Preservation is the word that implies "no use", but that is not used
here. Legally huntable wildlife species, in accordance with NYS and Federal
law, can be hunted in the National Wildlife Refuges, including Montezuma. In
fact, without hunting, much of the land within Montezuma National Wildlife
Refuge, would not be under their ownership and management. When hunting for
migratory bird species (which is defined as waterfowl and gallinule at
Montezuma NWR) you must have a "Duck Stamp" on your person while hunting.
Hunters 16 years of age or older are required to purchase them, and the stamps
are considered "conservation revenue stamps; 98 percent of the purchase prices
goes directly to help acquire and protect wetland habitat and purchase
conservation easements for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Wetlands
acquired with Duck Stamp dollars help purify water, aid in flood control,
reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, and enhance outdoor recreation
opportunities." (FWS Duck Stamps) I can’t remember the exact percentage, but
something like 89%? (don’t quote me, and maybe someone from the Refuge will
jump in), but a majority of the Refuge lands has been acquired using Duck Stamp
funds. Without hunting, which is considered a mechanism of conservation and
wildlife management, we would likely would not have the wildlife drive, Knox
Marsellus Marsh, Tschache Pool, Wil-Goose, etc. to enjoy. Hunters have no
choice if they want to purchase that stamp or not, no stamp, no hunting. But
birders and other “non consumptive” users of the land are by and large, NOT
contributing financially. I know some people are donors, but I’d guess most
people who visit the drive, are not, and get to enjoy that beautiful place for
free. A current Federal Duck Stamp is also a free pass into any national
wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee (some do). Because nearly all of the
proceeds are used to conserve habitat for birds and other wildlife, birders,
nature photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts buy Duck Stamps to help
ensure that they can always see wildlife at their favorite outdoor spots. No
hunting = less publicly accessible Federal lands.
That being said- this situation with the bear shooting was unethical,
irresponsible, and illegal. According to Montezuma NWR’s Hunt/Fish Plan, black
bears are NOT a huntable species on refuge lands. So even though they are in
season in that local zone according to NYSDEC, Federal law trumps state law,
and the refuge can enact stricter regulations on a refuge. A long time ago I
worked at Eufaula NWR in Alabama, and my job was to facilitate the logistics of
a very popular waterfowl hunt twice a week. Huntable species were considered
ducks, geese, coot, gallinule, and I think cormorants. To be able to join in on
this hunt, you had to join a lottery, hope to be chosen, and then pay for your
blind for that day. It was a big deal to a lot of hunters. One particular day,
a smart ass was “bored” (he said) and when he was checking out with me after
his hunt, he jokingly said he’d only been able to get 1 black duck. Down there,
“big ducks” like mallard/black ducks were less common than divers and highly
coveted. So I was excited for him, and asked to see it to confirm. It was a
crow. The guy thought he was funny, but what ended up happening was the crow
was seized and he was ticketed. Even though crow were in season, that’s NOT why
he was there that day. The refuge LEO wanted to impress upon this man that we
don’t just shoot things for fun here.
Coming back to NY and this bear situation. I think that when people who have
firearms or bows and they commit crimes, we do not refer to them as “hunters”.
We should refer to them as criminals, poachers, headhunters, etc. because
that’s what they are. Hunting already gets a bad rap, and I think mostly
because it is misunderstood. I was very anti-hunting until I started college
and learning about wildlife management. I learned that hunting has deep roots
in tradition, and in acquiring (mostly) free, healthy protein that is much more
sustainable and environmentally friendly than factory farms and ranches. Some
of the most knowledgeable people I’ve met, and best conservationists, are
hunters, trappers, and/or fishermen. I think we can all agree that the person
who shot that bear is an idiot, in my opinion, and did a huge disservice to a
hobby and lifestyle that they value and enjoy. The Conservation Officers did
their job, and sought justice for that bear. The fact that they’re smiling- I’d
agree with other commenters. 1) we’re indoctrinated to smile for the camera. 2)
they were successful in bringing justice and a close to this case and are
probably proud. 3) Just a guess- but if they were straight faced, I bet someone
out there would have a comment to make about how miserable they look. 😊 The
good news is that the pelt will be used as an educational prop at the refuge
and this whole situation is a teachable moment for the public. The bear died
unnecessarily, but hopefully not in vain.
As a huge bear lover, conservationist, and someone who called Montezuma my
“work home” for 5 years, I am saddened that the first documented bear anywhere
in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex had to be discovered this way, but all of the
illegalities aside, it’s very cool. Black bears are making an amazing comeback
in Western NY, unassisted by humans, and I am glad for that. I only wish I got
to see one, or even just sign of one, while I was working out there!
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