mike rossi

Doc, I am not going to (again) go back and trace these initiatives to the original sources and then back track all the way back to the Governor. I really don't care if he is grandstanding. A lot of better things can be done with 6 million dollars. The lack of awareness among sportsman is more egregious than some politician who made some unpopular decisions trying to recoup some votes. The sporting community should be sounding off about taking that 6 million and any federal PR grants it can leverage and using it for better things. First step is the sportsmen learning what those "better things" are. The wheels of social change grind slowly, especially with cultures that are not progressive. That is why it is so important to focus on the meat, not the potatoes. In this case Cuomo is the potatoes. If I am still not making sense, look at it this way. If the DEC took that 6 million dollars and possibly even leveraged an additional 18 million in federal PR funds, and used that 24 million dollars to enhance habitat and/or buy $24 million dollars worth of land, wouldn't that be better?

All access, no habitat. Nothing at all to do with the safe act or Cuomo, but political pressure from non-hunters AND the county federations of sportsmen, the NY State Conservation Council, and CFAB (Conservation Fund Advisory Board). All this does is invite overuse, it does not increase legal access or increase habitat. It creates physical access that is not needed. Few hunters will be using these quasi infrastructure developments and more non-hunters will be "tapping" WMAs. Ordinary wildlife management uses conservation funds to increase land ownership and enhance the habitat on those lands and set policy to manage overuse. This does the exact opposite - it is using funds in a manner that does not add habitat, does not increase places to hunt, does not bolster wildlife populations, and invites overuse. Again - the exact opposite of what should be done... Part of the problem is that the state is using the environmental protection fund and other non-hunter revenues, instead of the conservation fund, for matching dollars to receive Pitman Robertson grants. The projects are lawyered to very narrowly pass for acceptable projects under the wildlife restoration act and/or they are "Omni bussed" into a deceptive package which the FWS reluctantly accepts. Not that CFAB has any objection to infrastructure, to the contrary from what I see they are in favor of it, but hoard the CF as much as possible. Not necessarily a bad thing to use a variety of matching funds, but the intent and the result is a bad thing...

From what I read, it is indeed starvation and most of the birds are not ducks, and are non game and fish eaters. One of the birds is the scaup, which is a game species and has been the subject of a lot of research. The 20 year decline in scaup populations has been blamed on lower spring time body weights than the historical average. The cause of the poor body condition has a number of theories. A bird like the scaup, which will eat both plant and animal diets should have a survival advantage, yet this is one of the species found dead of starvation. It might be that the other birds which starved are having the same issues as scaup. Obviously poor body condition would enable starvation during a hard winter such as this year. Since game species are better monitored and research is better funded, game species often become indicator species for non game or ecology in general. This is a good example of how hunting benefits non-game. I want to correct a few things quoted in the news articles. Notice I said "quoted", as I suspect the newspaper erred, not the DEC. The scaup is not an obligate fish-eater, they eat 50% plant and 50% animal, mostly mollusks, not small fish. In the winter, ducks that eat both plants and animals, actually eat more plants. The scaup does not have a "small bill", as a matter of fact hunters refer to them as "broad bills". There is thought to be a relationship between bill size/shape and diet, but this concept was not reported correctly. A few people in the comments section, including wildlife rehabilitators, have stated that scaup will not eat corn if people feed it to them. Not true, they wont come up to people like mallards, but they will eat corn, as a matter of fact biologists use corn as bait when they band them. I am not suggesting people feed the scaup and I never heard of that being prescribed. However the issue about feeding waterfowl was raised and as usual there was a lot of misinformation generated. One of the gems from the camo community be belong to just had to say how he hoped the cormorants would starve as well and how they impact the fisheries. I admit I am not well-informed about cormorants; but I do know that it is actually the fish which are impacting waterbirds in general because they compete for invertebrates and are encroaching into wetlands more frequently. Do these jokers ever stop and think what do they hope to gain by throwing gasoline on an enemy that is more numerous, better informed, and better armed (or rather brained) then us? A lot of legitimate reasons to stand up and bow can be attributed to scaup research supported by waterfowl hunters, because the scaup my be an indictor for all the other species, why wander off into non-relevance and controversy?

http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/95897.html

On Thursday, March 6, 2014 9:16 AM, DEP njfishandwildlife <[email protected]> wrote: Thanks for providing this information; motor vehicle use off established roads is illegal on state WMAs. I will forward your message to our law office for review, but without an identifiable plate number I don't know if they can do anything beyond contacting the producers of the videos. Thanks. PT Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife 605 Pequest Rd. Oxford, NJ 07863 Phone: 908-637-4125 Fax: 908-637-6735 [email protected] http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

I have some comment and suggestions. Hunters generally do not like to call the DEC, I know this from experience interfacing with them. Also, many find it awkward to walk up in a parking lot and saying I am here to help band ducks. Just like at gun clubs when the members running the place sit like log bumps when novices want to get on a trap/skeet field. This IMO is one of the things that hurt our sport, the aloofness at gun ranges. Same thing occurs at hunting dog tests, trials and training clinics. We preach all this recruitment, but turn people off or try to make them jump through hoops when they respond... We need people to get involved. I think a chapter contact is better than the DEC, especially without a specific contact person at the DEC. People are not generally aware of what banding will entail, will it be a cannon netting or a trap situation? An orientation before the project day would even be better and is recommended. Then volunteer would know what to expect and would ease quicker into the mechanics of banding - how to hold the bird, where to place the band, how to record info or whatever they will be doing. A good power point presentation or at least dig up some you tube videos to show people. As I alluded, I imagine you really are not short of help; however the point is to involve and educate people and have more people when extra help is needed. Off course this would also be a way to get people to think about joining the chapter and the national as well as attending your fundraising banquets. IMO it would be worth the effort to be as facilitative and encouraging with this as possible, perhaps its too late this time around, but maybe in the future. In order for the hunting community to progress, which we have not over the decades, we need to run a tighter ship than we have in the past, we can keep doing things the same way and expect things to improve or even prevent them from degenerating. Good luck, be interesting to see some pictures from it on this forum!

Today at 9:27 AM Dear Michael: Thank you for contacting my office to express your opposition to legislation relating to mute swans. I appreciate learning your thoughts on this matter. As you know, A.8790 would impose a 2 year moratorium on the eradication of the mute swan population. This measure is presently under review in the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee. However, please be assured that your input will be useful during future discussions on this matters. You can follow the bill’s progress by using the New York State Assembly’s Web site (www.assembly.state.ny.us) Quick Bill Search tool. Type in the bill number to get a summary of the legislation, or click on the Actions, Votes, Memo or Text boxes for more detailed status or information. Again, thank you playing a part in the legislative process. Your input helps me to better serve our state. Sincerely, Sheldon Silver

I never said you were that. Dip stick was not only making crap up, he seems to be implying that is what I do. Tell you one thing, the pro crossbow crowd isn't very adept at convincing neutral parties to side with them, see they are use to being the biggest... Like the punk on the school yard getting on his toes to show you how tall he is. Everyone is big until they get punched in the face...

Bump

Audubon New York: "Thank you for reaching out. Invasive species are one of today's greatest threats to biodiversity, and their management is often necessary to reduce impacts. The Mute Swan is an invasive species introduced from Europe with well-documented significant impacts on native wildlife and their habitats. More than a decade ago to address these negative impacts, states along the Atlantic agreed to mange the spread of Mute Swans in the wild. Despite implementing some control measures, the Mute Swan population in NY is growing and spreading, with increasing risks to native wildlife and their habitats. Audubon supports NYS DEC's proposed Mute Swan plan, which calls for a suite of actions that will allow effective control of Mute Swans".

Really, tell me about it, who else misquoted a position statement of Pope and Young?

Is that what he did, "type anything into the window and "quote it" ? If people on here are making stuff up they are undermining the forum.

Were did you get this, it doesn't agree with what Bello posted in post 114 which looks like its directly from P&Y. I suppose Bello's info is outdated?

How does Pope and Young treat crossbows?

Need waders? Need a 4x4? Need to register? If so, how. Is there designated parking? What about inclement weather?

I don't know how many people they need for the banding, but Elmo on here asked me about this DOWN STATE a while back. Do you mind sending him the contact info? Even if they got enough banders, be good for someone to get some pictures if they can stay out of the way, (limited space if hey use boats, ect,) even if they don't need banders.. Post up some pics of members on here volunteering? I think you are aware of how many of our 800,000 hunters don't know all what goes on in conservation... Some can use some fresh light, though many wont be interested. I guess in the waterfowl sub forum is underused?

How many people did you sign up for DU? What all went on? Why didn't you post this in the waterfowl forum? What chapter are you involved with? Tell us about the chapter? Any volunteer activities going on , particularly banding or habitat? Life isn't all about cursing the democrats, racks, crossbows, coyotes and turkeys you know... Many on here would be interested in your chapter...

Have you discovered Face Book yet? It operates like a viral analog and it is now days an absolute must. Another thing, forums, such as this one, which throttle individuals and/or allow other individuals to go on about stuff they no nothing about, need to shape up. When you got 2 or 3 forum members out of 350 people in the entire state who raise deer, speaking authoritatively for 800, 000 hunters while mocking the DEC and wildlife science in general - you got issues as they say...

Timeline 1970’s NY declares the mute swan a migratory game bird, but no hunting season is established. Early 1990s: USFWS creates a mute swan strategy in concert with states in the Atlantic Flyway including NY. During the decade of 1990 NY adopts a mute swan management plan. 2014 NY creates a revised mute swan management plan and opens the plan to public comment through February 21, 2014. In early February around the time public comment was first solicited, various media sources began airing or publishing unfavorably biased messages about the plan throughout the state. Numerous online petitions and letter writing campaigns opposing the DEC’s plan were launched. Local newspapers and the Dec’s face book page were bombarded by letters and posts criticizing the DEC’s plan. On February 19, 2014, even before the comment period ended, and certainly before the plan was finalized and adopted, two legislative bills were introduced which would impose a moratorium on the DEC’s plan. On February 28, 2014, the DEC announced that there will be a revision of the draft plan and another public comment period on the revised mute swan plan, and that because of the comment received on the first draft, the revision will contain non-lethal strategies. This could mean the state is abandoning the goal set among the Atlantic Flyway Council to eliminate the state’s population. Action we took: (What we’ve done = What we want you do) We summarized the process from the start and as it evolved; and made those reports available to our network. We recommended ‘Talking Points’ and created several form letters. We tracked newspaper articles and responded to them in writing with factual information. We participated in the public comment phase by submitting written comment. We all must do this again with the upcoming revised draft and in response to any future mourning dove proposals. In other words, make it a habit… How this ties in with establishing a mourning dove hunting season in NY: Expect a similar response from the non-hunting public to any Dove legislation and/or Mourning Dove Management Plans. Perhaps the emotion will be even stronger for doves, but certainly anti-hunters have gained experience, confidence, and increased the size of their networks during the public opinion battle about mute swan management. Review the timeline and expect things to evolve the same way, perhaps with even more opposition. In the 2014 mute swan management plan, the DEC announced only seven days after the end of the comment period, that they were revising their plan to accommodate those opposed to lethal control. Which we believe might mean the whole plan is undermined, as the goal was to eliminate free ranging mute swans, not “control” the populations. One can argue that sterilization will eventually lead to extirpation, but until we see the revised plan we remain skeptical. Without an organized and coordinated response we will continue to lose these public opinion battles. What could we and/or the DEC do differently? Part of the DEC’s plan included an outreach strategy. However, the outreach must be done before a plan is presented for public comment, not as a strategy of the plan. The first step must be substantial education campaigns directed at the public and lawmakers. By the time the public and lawmakers review a management plan, they have already been exposed to unscientific propaganda. They must get their information about mute swans and mourning doves from sources other than newspapers and animal rights organizations. Each individual sportsman who invests in a little learning can be that other source of information. It is also important to engage other sportsmen in these issues. Inform them about the negative impacts of mute swans and tell them about the thrills of hunting and eating mourning doves. However, rest assured; it will be the public at large, not the sporting community, who decides whether or not the hunting of doves will occur in NY. The DEC's first draft mute swan plan, although there was some divide, had the backing of large conservation/bird watching organizations. Yet animal-rights activists succeeded in exerting enough political pressure to persuade the DEC to not only modify their plan, but likely also to abandon the underlining goal of eliminating mute swans in the state of NY, a goal agreed upon by the Atlantic Flyway Council and followed by other states in the flyway jurisdiction.

Just saw this: In response to the outpouring of public interest in the Draft Mute Swan Management Plan, the plan will be revised and opened up for a second round of comments. DEC is still reviewing the 1500+ comments, but hopes to have the revised draft for public comment available in the spring. A summary of our response to the many questions, concerns and ideas expressed by the people of New York State is being prepared and will be posted on DEC's website. See today's press release: http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/95792.html

Audubon NY has 60,000 members, they support the DEC plan. So do many other large conservation organizations.

Tony Avela: See other Post about him. And the following: Bookmark this link: http://votesmart.org/interest-group/2018/rating/5887%20-%20.UxC4MHmA3IU#.UxDDwnmA3IV Brian Curran Supports preventing the DEC from managing mute swans as per personal communication, via email. Voted For the SAFE Act Narrowly elected last election and will again be opposed by: http://www.friedmanforassembly.com/ FYI https://trackbill.com/legislator/NY/2013/3363/brian-curran http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Brian-Curran/sponsor/ Note: Link directly above does not indicate Curran is a cosponsor of A-8790; however Brian Curran told us via email that he is requesting to be a cosponsor. http://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Curran_(New_York) https://www.facebook.com/AssemblymanBrianCurran http://votesmart.org/candidate/127875/brian-curran#.UxCwt3mA3IV https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/127875/brian-curran/5/animal-rights-and-wildlife-issues#.UxCwuXmA3IV Fred Thiele http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Thiele http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Fred-W-Thiele-Jr/bio/ http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/4279/fred-thiele-jr#.UxC3NHmA3IU http://votesmart.org/interest-group/2018/rating/5887#.UxC4MHmA3IU FYI Supports TNT and maintenance of feral cat colonies Endorsed by Goose Watch NYC along with Assemblyman Steve Englebright Introduced legislation to allow local governments and counties to ban or regulate trapping Joseph Saladino http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Saladino http://votesmart.org/candidate/44187/joseph-saladino#.UxC9c3mA3IU http://lohv-ny.org/events/LegBreak2011/2011LegBreak.report.htm Steve Cymbrowitz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Cymbrowitz https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/55177/steven-cymbrowitz#.UxDBLnmA3IU Kenneth Lavalle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_LaValle https://votesmart.org/candidate/4238/kenneth-lavalle?categoryId=5&filter=['V', 'S', 'R', 'E', 'F', 'P']#.UxDCyXmA3IU https://www.facebook.com/kenlavalle

Brian Curran Supports preventing the DEC from managing mute swans as per personal communication, via email. Voted For the SAFE Act Narrowly elected last election and will again be opposed by: http://www.friedmanforassembly.com/ FYI https://trackbill.com/legislator/NY/2013/3363/brian-curran http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Brian-Curran/sponsor/ Note: Link directly above does not indicate Curran is a cosponsor of A-8790; however Brian Curran told us via email that he is requesting to be a cosponsor. http://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Curran_(New_York) https://www.facebook.com/AssemblymanBrianCurran http://votesmart.org/candidate/127875/brian-curran#.UxCwt3mA3IV https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/127875/brian-curran/5/animal-rights-and-wildlife-issues#.UxCwuXmA3IV

Yup, I suppose this is another left-wing conspiracy. One in four deer, mostly yearling bucks, got CWD in a CWD area in Wisconsin... Off course, now that cant be true, tell me why its not, lol... http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/cwd-spreads-wisconsin-counties/

More, note voting record and campaign contributions... http://politicker.com/2014/02/democrats-already-mulling-tony-avella-challenge/ http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/swan-eradication-plan-birds-state-sen-tony-avella-article-1.1614658 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Avella https://votesmart.org/candidate/45056/tony-avella#.Uw-U-XmA3IV http://animalrights.about.com/od/organizationsandactivists/fl/Interview-with-NY-State-Senator-Tony-Avella.htm http://aldf.org/press-room/press-releases/senator-avella-and-aldf-to-announce-lawsuit-against-nypd/ http://bayside.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/avella-to-host-animal-rights-forum-on-jan-17 http://friendsofanimals.org/news/2014/january/public-forum-new-york-animal-protection-issues-senator-tony-avella