Letters to the Editor and Others
Don’t Participate in Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day
Sent to New Jersey Newspapers.
9/23/03
On Saturday, September 27, the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife will target birds for slaughter during its “Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day.” A press release from the Division claims that Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day “encourages responsible, ethical and safe hunting practices.” Unfortunately for both the hunters and the birds, there is no such thing as “ethical and safe” hunting.
Every year, children are seriously injured or killed while practicing the “ethical and safe” sport if hunting. Since September 1, the Associated Press has reported many injuries and fatalities. A 14-year old Utah boy was shot in the torso while dove hunting; an 18-year old fatally shot in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania while hunting geese; and a 6-year old Texas boy was shot while dove hunting. In addition, a Colorado bow hunter was found to have bled to death after an arrow pierced a major artery in his leg.
The International Hunter Education Association reports that in 2001, more than ten percent youths aged 19 and younger who were involved in firearm-related hunting accidents were fatally injured. These tragedies are an unavoidable reality if people continue to pursue violent bloodshed as a way of entertaining themselves.
Encouraging children to be violent killers of harmless and defenseless animals is not something that should ever be taken lightly; not only is animal cruelty such as hunting wrong on its face, it is also wrong because an increasing amount of evidence indicates that children who are cruel to animals often grow into adults who are cruel toward humans. A recent incident supporting this viewpoint this took place on April 24, 2003 in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. Before school started, student Jimmy Sheets, a young teen, pulled a gun out of his book bag and shot his principal to death before turning the gun on himself. Jimmy was described as "a passionate hunter." (Philadelphia Daily News) Even when young hunters do not turn their guns on humans, the crass indifference toward the lives of the animals is something that hardens one’s soul.
This wanton killing of wildlife is encouraged by wildlife managers within the Division of Fish and Wildlife because the fees generated by the sale of hunting licenses pay the salaries of Division employees and excise taxes on firearms and ammunition pay them to turn wildlife into living targets. The goal is to pump out bullets and arrows at the expense of the animals, the community and our children.
Because a plethora of evidence proves that the violence of hunting is dangerous to society on many different levels, we call on parents to raise their children to respect all forms of life and reject the violent lessons taught by the Division of Fish and Wildlife through their hunting programs. To learn about ways to live in peaceful coexistence with wildlife, please visit the web site of the Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting at http://www.all-creatures.org/cash/ or call (845) 256-1400.Joe Miele, Vice President
New Jersey Field Office
Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting
Box 334
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
201-368-8271
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