Letters to the Editor and Others
Wildlife Watch Asks NY Senators to Ban Canned Hunting
Wildlife Watch Inc.
Helping People, Environment, and Wildlife
PO BOX 562, NEW PALTZ, NY 12561
Voice:(845) 256-1400; Fax:(845) 622-7999
e-mail: wildwatch@earthlink.net
Contact: Joe Miele, Vice President 201-368-8271
The Honorable James S. Alesi
220 Packett's Landing
Fairport, NY 14450
June 16, 2003
Dear Senator Alesi:
Wildlife Watch, Inc. is an animal protection organization that educates the public about the mismanagement of wildlife by state and federal wildlife agencies, and the destruction of wildlife and ecosystems in the name of sport hunting and game management. On behalf of our members and supporters throughout the State of New York, we urge you to support S2735, the bill to ban “canned shoots.”
Canned shoots, also called canned hunts, are hunts on private hunting "preserves" that are stocked with animals for hunters to kill in any way they choose. These operations, often advertised as managed wildlife refuges or game ranches, guarantee their customers the opportunity to hunt, capture and kill a trophy animal. The animals in these compounds are confined in enclosed areas and are frequently tied down, drugged, or made available to the hunters after the animals are brought to a feeding station. Because these hunts are on private land and involve “exotic” species, Fish and Wildlife regulations do not apply and the animals are killed in a number of barbaric and inhumane ways. According to Matthew Scully, author of Dominion and senior speechwriter to President George W. Bush, "Game farming and canned hunting are among the lowest practices described in (Dominion), and also the most easily outlawed."
Fourteen states; California, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, have passed legislation banning these types of unethical hunts.
In 1999, New York State passed legislation banning canned shoots involving non-native big game mammals in areas less than 10 acres. While this is a good start, S2735 is needed to prohibit the killing, shooting, maiming or injuring of intentionally confined animals for sport, amusement or the taking of a trophy; i.e., canned shoots or canned hunts, of all animals, in areas of any size.
Wildlife Watch, Inc. and its members and supporters respectfully urge you to do all you can to see that A4609 is passed before the current Senate session ends on June 19th. We eagerly await your response to our concerns on this very important piece of legislation.
Sincerely,
Joe Miele
Cc: Members of the New York State Senate
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Copyright © 2003 Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting
