I don't know about the birding conditions in Alexandria or much of the northern
part of the state, but here in New Kent County, it wouldn't be wise to be
laying on the ground at the edge of the water, taking pictures of ducks on any
day but a Sunday. Even at the Cumberland Marsh Reserve. This was a no hunting
preserve until last year when another such amendment (actually a little-known
mandate) to a bill was passed, making any water, even on reserves and private
land, legal to be hunted. Of course, I was unaware that such a sneaky little
bill was attached to something else and passed without any notice.
I always check to make sure there is no hunting before venturing out to bird on
any day but Sunday. This past month, I was alone, lying on my stomach at the
edge of Holt's Creek at the Cumberland Marsh, taking pictures of Green-winged
Teals when a hunter in a canoe with a motor attached, came by and began
blasting away at the birds I was just photographing. I was shaken up to say the
least. Especially after carefully checking that this was indeed a No Hunting
area.
After sending an email to the Nature Conservancy, I was informed of the
amendment that forced them and others to allow hunters access to formerly safe
havens for birds and people. The NTC was negligent in not posting signs about
hunters being in the area, so I suppose they were lucky that I wasn't shot. I
have been going there weekly for over a year and didn't think I had a reason
to worry on a Thursday morning.
Hunting has undergone a decline in the US as a result of Suburbanization and
changing attitudes towards killing animals.
According to a poll by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, only 6% of the adult
population hunted in 2001, and a whopping 31% photographed, observed or fed
wildlife.
The statistical info can be found here, as to revenues generated by hunters vs,
non-consumptive wildlife enthusiasts. The argument that hunters are the
greatest support of conservation just doesn't cut it anymore.
http://library.fws.gov/nat_survey2001_birding.pdf
Must the hunters have every day of the week to take the lives of the creatures
we enjoy observing and photographing? I really don't think it's too much to ask
for one day a week for the wildlife to have a break and allow the people to
enjoy watching them.
Lynda Blair
New Kent County
----- Original Message -----
From: Flyfishgrl@xxxxxxx
To: tomlyn@xxxxxxxxxxx ; va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 7:41 PM
Subject: [va-bird] Re: Proposed bill for Sunday hunting
I have signed a petition in favor of hunting on Sundays. I don't think any
birders have ever been accidentally shot Monday through Saturday.
Suzanne Malone
Alexandria, Va
