Hi all, First of all, after reading John's post, when I suggested that CBC should do something about hunting was not to stop hunting, but to designate some locations on the lake to be free from being hunting locations, so both birders and birds can enjoy some peace.
Why is it wrong if birders feel that they love to have some locations free of hunters and hunting? Don't we think we also have same right as hunters who think they would love to hunt in all areas? So come to a compromise! So what is wrong in making some good locations on Cayuga Lake bird and birder friendly? Hunters can share some locations with us for our pleasure! I think number of birders and hunters around Cayuga lake must be very similar if not higher for birders. I think sport hunting is the one which bothers me, if you are hunting for food then it is ok with me, but just for the pleasure of killing something that definitely annoys me. If you are thinking of sports of hunting flying objects, have some artificial targets or may be try some falling leaves or some other similar targets. Sorry for bursting out like this, instead of working on the proposal! Meena From: bounce-72561577-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-72561577-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Nari Mistry Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 10:53 AM To: CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Birders & Hunters on Cayuga Lake I strongly endorse the wise comments of Jody Enck & Ken Rosenberg asking for restraint in advocating for a ban on duck hunting on Cayuga Lake. Birders tend to believe that we are a huge beneficial community that can do no wrong. The reality is that the world looks at us with benign amusement. To set ourselves up as "our viewpoint is best for everyone" is a mistake. I am just as concerned about gunshots and disturbance of wildlife and humans, but I don't think we can justify a ban. While bird conservation arguments may be useful, it does not appear to me that waterfowl conservation is threatened by hunting on Cayuga Lake, as Ken has pointed out. So the argument becomes just "my preference against others'." Pushing for a ban on duck-hunting on the lake can easily be regarded by hunters as the first step in trying to ban hunting in the fields and woods, leading to acrimonious name-calling and the end of any good relationship between birders and land-owners, hunters and "real" people. A much better course of action would be to have a dialog with duck-hunters clubs and to explain the beneficial need for hunting away from shore and avoiding deliberate disturbance and flushing of birds to gain an advantage. I hope a reasonable course of action is chosen. Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Archives: The Mail Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> Surfbirds<http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> BirdingOnThe.Net<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> Please submit your observations to eBird<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>! -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --