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Published -- 7/3/02

"Shooting Fish in a Barrel"

(Title in publication "Proposed law would ban canned hunts")

A special note to: All "Ethical" Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and others who believe in fair chase and presenting a good public image.

I recently received an email alert detailing a proposed Law that would outlaw “canned hunts” in New York State. The wording of the original draft of the law left some readers concerned that if the law was passed it could impact on the way some folks hunt wild or stocked game today. A “canned hunt” in my opinion is one where game is confined in some way and can’t escape. Most farm fences i.e., barbed and non-barbed wire, rail fences, in my opinion, does not and will not confine wild game -- large or small.

I'm not sure how many of you who have received and/or read the wording of the proposed law. I went over it several times. The only thing that I take exception to is the use of the words "From automatic firearms . . . . ." under "Justification." The state attorneys who wrote this law should have known better -- that automatic firearms are already illegal in NYS. Why even use the word "automatic" unless they just don't know the law. Judges often say that "Ignorance is no excuse for the law."

I believe in ethical hunting, fishing, trapping, farming and the legal taking/consumption and use of wildlife, natural/renewable resources, wild foods and farm animals. I have been a hunter and fisherman my entire life time -- starting in my early teens. And have been very fortunate to have harvested my share of big game from the Adirondacks, Catskills and Hudson Valley Regions. Hunting and fishing has been a major activity within my family and close friends and it is the glue that holds many families together.

This proposed law has nothing at all to do with ethical hunting and ethical hunters. So-called "canned hunts, tower hunts" or any type of hunt that could be considered "shooting fish in a barrel" should be rejected by any and all "ethical hunters."

Even calling them a "hunt" should be considered a “punch below the belt” to all ethical hunters. Ethical hunters should be boycotting such hunts and I believe that most tacitly do so.

The continued support of these types of activities by ethical hunters is just another nail in the coffin of the future of ethical hunting. In my opinion if we don't police our own ranks when it comes to ethics then someone will do it for us.

This is only my opinion/observation folks -- I'm only one voice. But I'd like to hear the opinion of others. "We" are becoming the minority more and more each day. We need to employ better "public relations experts." Using the same old PR folks that we have now in NYS and our opponents won't even need to raise a finger or touch a keyboard against us -- they'll just merely sit back, wait and watch us bury ourselves.

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The New York State department of Environmental Conservation recently announced free fishing days for June 29th and 30th, 2002. A license is not required to fish on this particular weekend.

NYSDEC Commissioner Erin Crotty recently stated “We strongly encourage people to take advantage of these free fishing days and introduce their children to an activity they can enjoy throughout their lifetimes."

NYS is home to more than 45 species of game and panfish, including popular species like bass, walleye, pike, trout and salmon. Individuals who want to learn about fishing can participate in a
Family Free Fishing Clinic offered by the NYSDEC. There are a number of clinics held throughout the summer and all across New York. Participants are supplied with equipment and can learn the basics about angling and angling ethics. To find out more about Family Free Fishing Clinics, contact one of DEC's Regional Fisheries office (Region #3 office in New Paltz 845-256-3098) or visit the agency's website at:
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/recfshl4.html

Anglers should be mindful of advisories to limit the consumption of fish from some waters, however. More than 70 waters in New York State have fish with contamination levels greater than federal guidelines. The State Department of Health (DOH) recommends limiting or avoiding eating fish from these particular waters and has advised women of childbearing age and children under the age of 15 to not eat any fish taken from waters under an advisory. A full list of waters that have
fish advisories can be obtained by calling 1-800-458-1158 or visiting the DOH website at:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/environ./fish.thm

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A recent fish-kill in the Hudson River should concern all who fish the River and it’s tributaries. Recent reports that Carp, Striped Bass, White Perch and Eels were the victims of a mysterious fish kill. First reports indicated that it might have something to do with the spawning season or the water temperature. If this were the case then there would be more dead fish in the river and others bodies of water every year. I’m leaning more to the possibility that that it might have had something to do with a chemical spill in one of the River’s tributaries or coves. We ‘ll be waiting for reports from the DEC as to what the cause might have been.

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Have a Great and Safe 4th of July! Drive and boat safely and remember that it it is also illegal to boat while intoxicated or impaired. Traffic on land and water will be at an all time high this July 4th so play it safe and don’t get caught in the “road rage” trap. From what I’m observing so far I expect that with the out of control increases in auto traffic -- road rage will also increase. So please stay calm, cool and enjoy the upcoming holiday.

Remember that we are celebrating our Declaration of Independence, our freedoms, our Bill of Rights including but not limited to our 1st and 2nd Amendments.

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Picture caption: Brothers (l. to r.) Robert, Christopher and Thomas Placek of New Windsor fished the Hudson River from shore at Plum Point (Kowawese State Park).

Outdoor Liaisons appears every other week in the Times - Frank can be reached at the Times or email forthebirds39@earthlink.net or 845-562-0941.