[tn-bird] "Don't Shoot Unless You're Sure!"
- From: Wallace Coffey <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: 1-A TN-Birds <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 00:11:56 -0300
TN-Birders:
The Tennessee Widlife Resources Agency has
produced a remarkable two-page spread in
the Tennessee Waterfowl Hunting Guide 2002.
"Don't Shoot Unless You're Sure!" is an instructive,
in-depth plea for hunters to take responsible
steps to prevent accidental shooting of protected
species of waterfowl, wading birds, and other
waterbirds which are protected by both state
and federal laws.
I thumbed through a copy of this year's waterflow
hunting guide I picked up at the TWRA's
display which was prominent at the Steele Creek
Park Nature Center's 5th Annual Wildlife Weekend
in Bristol, Friday and Saturday.
"Through careful study, accidental shootings of
protected species can be prevented," the guide
instructed. ". . .prevent accidental shootings by
familiarizing yourself with these protected species
before heading into the field and remember,
'Don't Shoot Unless You're Sure.' "
I think birders and responsible sportsmen in
Tennessee will agree that this is probably the
most extensive, detailed, and complete effort
ever published to protected these species in
any Tennessee hunting guide.
Those of us who enjoy all hunted and non-hunted
waterbird species will not only tip our hats to TWRA
for this significant conservation effort but thousands
of sportsmen across the state will join us.
If nothing else, birders will be joined by the
thousands of hunters and anglers who carry
birding field guides in their tackle boxes and
car seats. They enjoy birding while hunting or while
birding with their fellow birders. They, too, understand
this important need. Most of us know hunters in
our birding ranks and in some of our bird clubs.
And they will be joined by wildlife officers, wildlife
mangers and wildlife biologists who are also birders
by hobby. They not only know the waterbirds but know
the importance of shooters knowing the legal
waterbirds that may be taken under state and federal
laws. They, too, understand the need.
TWRA's Nashville staff has sent another positive
message to everyone and to those who need to
carefully study the legal birds that may be hunted.
Director Gary Myers and State Ornithologist Troy
Ettel have clearly demonstrated a partnership with
the Tennessee Ornithological Society. TOS has
raised and donated money for habitat and cranes
and and elsewhere across the state. Gary Myers
has not only been a state leader but a national
leader at the cutting edge of non-game birds.
"Don't Shoot Unless You're Sure!" not only delivers
an instructive caution but presents, in a clear and
in-depth manner, a really good history of Trumpter
and Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes and Whooping
Cranes in Tennessee. It includes everything from
great drawings of all confusing geese, swans and
cranes but is up to date in every way, including
the October migration across the state and the
ultralight aircraft serving as a surrograte parent.
The internal challenge to convert old-time, hardcore,
TWRA wildlifers to the now long-established
view of protecting these birds and enforcing the
laws continues.
Director Gary Myers and staff sent a wakeup call
to everyone in Tennessee, including agency
staffers in Nashville and those in the field.
TWRA draws a straight line betwen two points:
1. a caution to all to study their birds and
know what is legal before going afield to
hunt.
2. A list of each region office and telephone
number (BEGINNING WITH THE REGION I
WEST TENNESSEE OFFICE AT
1-800-831-1173) in a plea for
information regarding any illegal activities
concerning protected species.
It is abundantly clear that Director Myers does not
want any of his staff to look the other way or to
not be prepared when a region office telephone
rings with illegal protective waterfowl activities
information. Those of us who know the good "crane
side" of him never thought otherwise.
Birders, birder-wildlife officers, birder-hunters,
birder-waterfowlers, birder-anglers, birder-biologists,
birder-managers and good conservationists througout
this great state will applaude another good leadership
effort by Director Myers.
And Troy Ettel, we know you are lurking out there
on TN-Birds today and we suspect your good work
is involved. That has not been overlooked.
Thanks for all you do for the great avian resources.
If you want a pleasant surprise, go to http://www.tnwildlife.org
and read the crane presentation. Then click on the
2002 Waerfowl Hunting Guide and see the two-page
spread discussed above on page 9-10 of the guide.
Let's go waterfowling......
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958
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