Asking for equal time to go out and bird or hike or bike, without
endangering your life is not necessarily anti-hunting although some hunters
may see it that way.  When the hunters are out there, nobody else can safely
use the woods or wetlands.  These days there may be more bird watchers,
hikers and bikers than hunters around and they are entitled to use the
outdoors as much as the hunters.  The hunting seasons are established
according to archaic traditions from the days when almost everybody hunted
and are very long, and include every day of the week except Sundays in some
areas.  This leaves very few days open for birding, hiking, biking or other
such activities.

Unfortunately buying duck stamps gives the hunters all the credit for
conservation.

John Krustins
College Park, Md.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 7:30 AM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Speaking of Hunting... Duck season ends when?

Rick -

The theme here is not anti-/pro-hunting but the role sporting interests play
in wildlife conservation and habitat protection - certainly a key concern
for birders.  What you perceive as "rants," others, such as myself, perceive
as an interesting and intelligent dialog among the MD Osprey birding
community.  Why not delete the posts to this thread if they don't appeal to
you? 

Tom Marko
Olney, MD
Montgomery Bird Club

  
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Rick Sussman
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:14 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Speaking of Hunting... Duck season ends when?
 
Hi all,

 I know it's a bit slow birding right now, but can we get off this  
hunting/anti-hunting dialog, please. It really serves no purpose here, as
this  is a 
Birding List, not an editorial column. We all appreciate the views but
please 
save us from your rants. Get back to the birds...
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD