mike rossi

I really don't know the migratory habits of sharks, but I guess I am a liberal because I agree with Al Gore that things are warming up and I don't recall hunting before November back in the day, but these days waterfowl seasons have an early first split. I think there probably is many more sharks then we know about, especially bull sharks - which have more testosterone than any animal and are known to forage in tidal creeks and have been found in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers before they were dammed, as far inland as illionois or one of those states. Plus waterfowl hunting might be done in more quiet, mucky areas and at sunrise- who knows what lurks there & then? I also believe I heard sharks are more likely to attack dogs than people. Too much uncertainty for me.

In those areas, I am concerned about my dogs in the early season, especially at high tide, because of sharks. So I wouldn't use a dog. I think if he wants to hunt there for scaup or something, he certainly can use a boat for a layout near a "pass" or decoy them in the shallows especially when low tide coincides with sunrise. I have done it (Raritan, Barnegat, Chesapeake) and it may not be a purist way but big spreads of divers aren't absolutely needed, scaup , buffleheads, etc.. will come into a half dozen mallard blocks.

I think the ozone is a little high this past week with all the heat and all, maybe that explains the confusion.

Whether its a lose-lose situation I guess depends on how many republican values you as an individual identify with. I don't think a handful of pro gun democrats can sway their party on gun control bills , but I don't rule out that they can persuade enough of their cronies to cooperate on things related to pro-hunting changes in NY state environmental conservation law. The NY senate seems to go along with just about anything we want regarding environmental conservation law as long as we show them enough of us want it and we outnumber any opposition to it. The senate has a lot of both republican and upstate representation, if you will. But to enact something into law (as you and ants know) it must also pass in the assembly. The assembly is not represented as heavily by upstate, republican ideology (in lack of a better way to put it). It is not uncommon for pro-hunting bills to pass the senate but not survive the assembly. A few democratic friends in the assembly is the most realistic approach IMO. Educating them so that they can better sell our agendas to their fellow democrats is also a good idea.

There was a case in Oneida county a few years ago that never sat well with me. The defendant was represented by an attorney with the same last name as me, but I am not related to him, FYI. I could be misinformed, but from the news info, I understood it as a man in his sixties with a baseball bat was confronted by a bigger man in his forties after he himself retrieved a baseball bat. The result was that the older man was killed and the other charged but acquitted. The details I remember from the news is that the older guy actually gifted the younger guy, even though not related, some land to build on, near his own home. Because of fast driving, the older man installed some sort of speed bumps or makeshift speed bumps on this private road which enraged the younger guy or prompted him to remove them - depending on which story teller you believe. Reportedly the older man confronted the younger with a bat when he observed the younger messing with the speed bumps. According to the (at the time defendant) the older man gestured toward banging up his vehicle. I remember something like the younger guy retrieved a bat and then got between the auto and told the older guy "Don't". I would remember the news details if they were clearer, but they were not and left me unsure if I believed this guy actually acted in self defense. Off course, I wasn't at the trial and only listened to news reports...

The currently elected senate as well as the senate districting, facilitates pro-hunting bills. However legislation must also pass the assembly, which is not facilitative. It is the handful of hunting-friendly down state democrats in the assembly who can make things happen for us. Even a few of them can influence other democrats and make a divisive bill a bipartisan bill, especially if they sponsor or cosponsor an assembly companion bill. The assembly is the weak link to deal with, and the handful of hunter-friendly assembly members, particularly democrats, fortify that link.

Dinsdale, here are the links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWWFrHn63eA&feature=share&list=PLZul7fQbJpyJ0sfTSssUdDilpWEN30Sww http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aWP8ZzgetQ&feature=share&list=PLZul7fQbJpyJ0sfTSssUdDilpWEN30Sww

The eight democratic assembly members who voted to protect gun rights are important to us. I know Magee from Oneida is one of them, who are the other seven ?

I don't know much about economics but I appreciate what you are saying here. I got a couple things to run by you about what you said. There is a stipulation that does allow federal conservation funds to be used for salaries in certain conditions. I also believe I remember that the state conservation fund actually does pay for DEC salaries. A couple years ago I said otherwise, but I was wrong, the CF and in many cases federal grants, are used for salaries. To the surprise of many, there is still enough left over for other projects... The raiding of trust accounts is well-known - there are specific laws addressing it and lawmakers even got their own term for it, and call it "sweeping". The FWS calls it "diverting". But there is something occurring more surreptitiously than sweeping a dedicated trust account. A new sub account has been formed in which the revenues from life time sporting licenses are staged until they are put into the states short term investment pool. To make a long story short, the stip is basically a fund in which any state agency can "borrow" from. After one year, a miniscule percentage of that account revenue might be returned for conservation use. I say might because that small portion would only revert if it met a minimum yield. Im a little fuzzy on this right now, but I did write about it and have a power point on it on you tube if your interested.

A couple of comments. Unless the migration is happening in real time and the location is fairly prime, permanent blinds burn out fast. Day in day out waterfowling depends on mobility. Fixture blinds can sometimes be productive for short windows of time, but they are not dependable throughout the season. As far as a boat Versus a dog, the dog wins. You will never cover a concoction of water, mud, and vegetation as quickly as a dog and their ability to mark and remember falls, and if need be smell and hear the slightest things, is priceless. I would use a boat as a conveyance to reach locations but for the retrieving a dog can be out & back with speed, ease, and stealth. It takes a while to train a dog, and in the mean time using a boat to fetch birds is fine, but don't downplay the usefulness of a dog. Owning, training, handling, and hunting with a retriever is an integral part of waterfowling.

Although I see everyone's point and expected the response, I wanted to illustrate that the federal, state, and tribal goverments have resources, and the will to use those resources, whether cash or services, for conservation. We got an in-crowd here in NY that have played with that money. Not only is that an issue, but most sportsman are just plain unaware of what all is available, what it is for, and the benefits that can be derived. We have been screwed a long time with this and I don't see many getting the message - yet. In time sportsmen will become informed, it may take a generation to cycle the leadership where the young replace the old. Many , as in this thread, are outraged with tax dollars being used for foreign aid, but when I raised the issue of dedicated trust accounts being diverted away from conservation, few people seemed to take particular interest. I don't see a fundamental difference to using tax dollars for foreign aid and taking conservation dollars and using them for non related uses and/or investing them to subsidize state agencies other than the DEC.

Here is another article published today. By the way, the FWS law agents work along with customs to check things at the airports and e bay ect... By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON -- More than 150 people face federal and state charges after authorities disrupted online wildlife trafficking operations involving tiger, leopard and jaguar pelts, elephant ivory and live birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the arrests Thursday after an undercover operation that included officers from 16 states, three federal agencies and three Asian countries. Items seized under "Operation Wild Web" include the pelts of endangered big cats such as the Sumatran tiger, leopard and jaguar; live migratory birds such as the California scrub jay; whale teeth; elephant and walrus ivory; and a zebra pelt. "Our message is clear and simple: The Internet is not an open marketplace for protected species," said Edward Grace, deputy assistant director for law enforcement for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Working with counterparts in California, Texas, New York, Florida and Alaska and other states, federal officials targeted illegal wildlife sellers who operate through Craigslist, eBay and other Internet marketplaces and classified ads. Wildlife officers in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia ran similar operations at the same time. The items were seized last August, although charges are still being brought in many cases. Six Southern California residents were charged Thursday with selling endangered species and animal parts, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles said. "As a major platform for the illicit trade in wildlife, the Internet has become a dangerous place for animals," said Jeff Flocken, North American regional director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, an advocacy group that worked with the federal task force. "Wildlife crimes are not only harmful to endangered species, they also pose serious threats to national and global security," Flocken said. Illegal wildlife trade generates an estimated $19 billion a year worldwide and ranks fourth on the list of the most lucrative global illegal activities behind narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking, the animal welfare group said in a report last year. Federal laws regulating the sale of wildlife include the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Lacey Act, which prohibits trade in wildlife, fish and plants that have been illegally taken, transported or sold. Other states involved in "Operation Wild Web" were Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Oregon, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/11/3495775/feds-charge-150-accused-in-online.html#storylink=cpy

For me, only being down there a handful of times, its hard to grasp the concept of 2 hours from any point down there, but I think I can give you some generic info. Navigable waters and the Atlantic Ocean are public areas. Local Police might know this, or deny it even if they do, but its in the statues. The second you step on land or in some cases drop an anchor, the rules may change depending on where you are. In NY, if you are hunting waterfowl, over water, and only shooting over the water, the 500 foot setback does not apply. That doesn't overrule or supercede ordinances banning gun discharge, but it is an exception to the environmental conservation law. 500 feet really isn't very far at all anyway and I don't recommend you take advantage of that exception, but it prevents he said she said pissing contests with hobliophobes and animal lovers as well as over zealous cops. You can also take waterfowl over harvested crop fields, but that would require you get permission from the landowner. I heard there are some farms on LI. Farmers usually allow hunting, but I heard that in places like New Jersey they don't, I would imagine LI to be similar. You can hunt on a variety of public lands or private lands without navigable waters as well. If you are asking here for specific locations, forget it, nobody reveals their spots. Waterfowling requires more exploring and dedication than any other form of hunting - plan on at least one scouting mission for every actual hunt. . A suprising number of people think waterfowl are easy because they only think of the birds they see when fishing or at the parks in the summer when they are flightless due to molting. Some of those birds actually are tame, but many of them know its a different ballgame in the fall and away from their summer camps. if you think that's what you will be hunting, your in for an awaking. Even when you learn to pattern some birds where you can legally hunt, new challenges will arise. You may need a boat. You may need decoys. You may need a dog. It may be to hard to wade or set decoys or collect your decoys. There may be no cover to hide. The list goes on and on and you will see waterfowling presents challenges which are just too much for most hunters. Those who can handle it often find everything else unchallenging. I try not to puff my chest out, but this is a simple reality here, waterfowling is tough to participate in and much harder to succeed in. You have your one time wonders, your videos of guides who cheat and bait on private leases, and the deer guys who hunt only on opening days who are aware of those rare spots that hold niave opening day birds every year. But that's not everyday waterfowling. Expect a long learning curve, and you may not need much equipment, but you may need to experiment to find out what you do need and what is worthless for the areas you have available to hunt. Another thought, if you do hunt tide water, you need to learn who the tides influence the patterns of the birds. In non tidal areas crop harvest, flooding water, and receding water, as well as freezing and migration, change the game overnight. Before you even start you need to learn your ducks - there are species and sex specific bag limits and you cant comply with the law if you don't know your birds. What can I say other than good luck....

Last week, President Obama completed his week-long Africa trip to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania, where he promoted an increased partnership amongst African nations and the U.S. He ended his trip in Tanzania where he focused on highlighting the country’s economic potential as well as combating illegal wildlife trade. Tens of thousands of African elephants (Loxodonta africana spp.) are slaughtered every year by poachers who seek their tusks for the illegal ivory trade. African rhinoceroses are targeted for their horns, and intense poaching has nearly decimated the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) population. Currently, the market value for rhino horns is $30,000 per pound, and $1,000 per pound for the ivory from elephant tusks (Greenwire). The total global market from illegal wildlife trade is $7 billion to $10 billion a year, and growing. President Obama has pledged to curb the illegal wildlife trade before the African elephant and black rhino go extinct. Obama’s plan to cut down on illegal trafficking of wildlife parts is an effort to stabilize African governments. He created a $10 million initiative that will train police officers and park rangers in Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, and other African countries to fight organized gangs involved in poaching. The U.S. Department of State will provide the $10 million in regional and bilateral training, as well as technical assistance. A new executive order announced last week would set up a Presidential Task Force to create a strategy for stopping criminals from poaching and thus cut off the demand for ivory in other countries. In addition, the order would establish an Advisory Council on Wildlife Tracking, consisting of eight non-government individuals to oversee the Task Force. Sources: Greenwire (July 3, 2013), Mongabay (July 3, 2013), The White House (July 1, 2013), National Geographic (October 2012).

During the last DEC Budget hearing one of the issues raised by those invited to testify was about geographic equity of land acquisitions in general and in particular access to the Hudson River. Not sure if this is what they had in mind, but here is what they got... For Release: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 Grants Awarded to Improve Access to Hudson River for Underserved Communities Kingston, Albany, Yonkers and New York City Will Use Grants to Develop Plans to Provide Greater Opportunities to Enjoy Recreational OpportunitiesThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Program, in partnership with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), has awarded four grants totaling $117,611 to provide access to the Hudson River and its tributaries for underserved communities, including people with disabilities and individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The purpose of these grants is to support the development of plans or projects that will improve public access to the river and estuary for fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife education, and river watching in environmental justice neighborhoods. "The Hudson River Estuary Program is helping communities enjoy, protect and revitalize the Hudson River and its Valley," said Commissioner Martens. "These grants support efforts in four communities to develop projects that will make it easier for residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods to enjoy recreational and educational opportunities along the river and its tributaries, while also helping to revitalize river cities. The awards are part of a plan to connect environmental projects to the economic vitality of the region, and these four projects align with Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) goals and strategies." Ron Poltak, NEIWPCC Executive Director, said, "Providing waterfront access for underserved communities is key to building support for the Hudson. NEIWPCC is pleased to offer support for this important initiative." The four grant-funded projects are located in environmental justice (EJ) neighborhoods in Albany, Kingston, New York City and Yonkers: The City of Albany will receive $30,000 to conduct a community engagement and visioning plan to increase educational and recreational opportunities along the Patroon Creek, a tributary of the Hudson River estuary located within the Tivoli Lake Preserve, The Preserve is an underutilized 80-acre urban nature preserve located adjacent to two high-density lower-income communities -- the Arbor Hill and West Hill neighborhoods - and is the second largest urban nature preserve in New York State (only Central Park in New York City is larger). A related project, previously funded by the Hudson River Estuary Program, involves opening up sections of the Patroon Creek to daylight, in areas where the creek flows underground through culverts. The site is ideal for restoration, and the city will actively engage local residents in developing a vision for its use as a community asset. The project aligns with the Capital District REDC goal of waterfront revitalization. The City of Kingston will receive $30,000 to install a floating fishing pier/dock on the Rondout Creek next to T.R. Gallo Park and neighborhood subsidized housing complexes-one of the poorest census tracts in the city. The dock will provide the first public access fishing dock along Kingston's waterfront at Rondout Creek and will provide opportunities to catch a variety of fish of the Hudson estuary, such as perch, largemouth bass and striped bass. The Federated Sportsmen's Clubs of Ulster County will provide fishing equipment and host fishing classes in the downtown area to teach local residents to fish. The city's goal is to be a regional leader in providing access to disenfranchised citizens who can't access the water because they do not own boats. In addition to providing fishing access for low-income residents, the project includes ramps accessible for wheelchair users. This project meets a Mid-Hudson REDC goal to use of the region's natural infrastructure of parks, preserves and waterways, including the Hudson estuary, to promote recreational and tourism uses of the waterfront. The city office of Community Development is providing $20,000 in matching funds for the project, which also supports the city's local waterfront revitalization plan. West Harlem Environmental Action Inc. (WE ACT for Environmental Justice) will receive $30,006 to develop plans for a new community center for ecological education and recreational activities on the Hudson River at 135th Street, site of the abandoned Marine Transfer Station. This site has the potential to offer access to the Hudson River for residents of Harlem, creating a much-needed green center for northern Manhattan, an area that has been excessively burdened with polluting facilities. WE ACT seeks to turn an area known for community blight to a publicly accessible, ecologically beneficial green center, cultivating environmental stewards for the Hudson. The project will reach out to and seek to involve local schools in the visioning process, including Philip Randolph High School, PS 161, and Mott Hall High School Yonkers, Groundwork Hudson Valley will receive $27,605 to work with residents to develop access plans to the adjacent Saw Mill River for fishing, birding, walking, and environmental education. The Saw Mill River is a tributary stream of the Hudson River Estuary that is being restored as a community asset and habitat for local fish and wildlife. This project will provide access to the stream for residents of Walsh Homes, a senior housing residence, and families at Schlobohm Houses. These public housing complexes have a combined total of approximately 1,000 units of housing. The project will replace rusting chain link fences and imposing blockades that currently impede access, and replace them with small pocket parks and bucolic settings for residents to enjoy vistas of the river. Residents and families will be asked to volunteer their time in the restoration project and create true community engagement. The project will include interpretive signage about the habitats, fish and birds of the area, and will also offer educational and recreational activities such as bird-watching and river cleanups. For more information on the grants awarded, contact Fran Dunwell, NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program, at 845-256-3016. The Hudson River Estuary Program is a project of the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. Helping people enjoy, protect and revitalize the Hudson River and its Valley, For more information on the Hudson River Estuary Program visit the DEC website.

OK, thanks. Let me get off topic here and point out we need to start making friends and educating the democrats, especially down state, and especially in the assembly. I will shut up now, back to your war boys...

Why don't you teach us how the assembly chairman of en-con (Sweeney) could be forced or circumvented? I am not giving you a hard time, this would be something truly worth knowing. If you feel this is not relevant to the thread, please PM me. I share what I know and would appreciate if you and others would share information , not just than their opinions. Thanks. And, by the way, even if it does go to vote in the assembly, it will be considered by many of them who are down state democrats who are lobbied by anti hunters all the time, perhaps about crossbows too. So I wouldn't say its a sure thing even if it goes to full vote. Its easier to pass pro-hunting bills in our senate than assembly.

Fact is some people deserve prison or what ever sentence they get, and a percentage of those charged do not and get screwed. Same thing in the civil arena - some defendants get screwed, but some people certainly do deserve getting sued. Pretty foolish to automatically assume every law suit is meritless. In my dealings, I have found attorneys to generally be more honest and ethical than other professionals - usually the screwballs run for office , my theory the reason being they cant hack being a lawyer so turn to politics. Obviously, this cop did the right thing. But some LE personal have committed very egregious crimes. It is interesting that the average person mistrusts attorneys, yet has great confidence in LEOs. Funny, other people say cops have the "little man syndrome" or some variation of that. Fact is, many were the school yard bullies, not the bullied. Good thing there are people with that mentality though, we need police, somebody has to do the job ... No discredit intended to good LE personal, I am sure they find the idiots an embarrassment. What about them wildlife biologists though, bunch of liars, eh? Never trust em...

For those who don't know, you can easily search those long PDF files for sections about crossbows, antler restrictions, or anything else. There is a search box, just type in crossbow, press next or enter and it will bring you to that topic and it will be highlighted. Every time you hit the next arrow it will bring you to the next section in the document where the subject you are interested is discussed. Very easy and even if the PDF is 400 pages, you can easily and quickly navigate to only the sections you are interested in.

Here are some Crossbow surveys by Responsive Management / Mark Duda. Other entities which do social studies about hunting are: The US Census Bureau; Cornel University Division of Human Dimensions within the natural resource department; and possibly other firms such as Rueters or Zogby International of Utica, NY. FYI: I don’t know what everybody else has read, but the most common reason I see for hunters giving up the sport is the behavior of other hunters. True, reasons such as access, urbanization, and all the commonly cited reasons are listed, but the most reoccurring is the behavior of other hunters. Personally, I don’t find that far-fetched. About 14 results (0.19 seconds) Search Results [PDF]Bowhunting Participation, Trends, Satisfactions And Marketing www.responsivemanagement.com/download/reports/AMOdist.pdf‎ CachedCited by 1 - Related articles between crossbow and other types of bowhunting and within the various types of ..... Recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows are used by fewer bowhunters. [PDF]Download - Responsive Management www.responsivemanagement.com/download/.../Bowhuntingpaper-uga.p...‎ Cachedby MD Duda - 2001 - Cited by 1 - Related articles between crossbow and other types of bowhunting and within the various types of ..... Recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows are also part of the equation, but. [PDF]Volume 1 - Maryland Department of Natural Resources www.responsivemanagement.com/download/reports/MD_Deer_Report.pdf The survey asked deer hunters about the length of the crossbow season: most ... Deer hunters are split, with slightly more agreement, on whether crossbows ... [PDF]Download - Responsive Management www.responsivemanagement.com/download/reports/amo.pdf‎ Cachedrecurve bow, compound bow, and crossbow equip- ment. There are some ..... Recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows are also part of the equation, but the ... [PDF]NEW HAMPSHIRE LAPSED HUNTER Report - Responsive ... www.responsivemanagement.com/.../NH_Lapsed_Hunter_Report.pdf‎ Cachedhunting involved crossbow hunting (more opportunities for crossbow hunting and ... education about crossbows) or waterfowl (more opportunities to hunt ducks ... [PDF]Download - Responsive Management www.responsivemanagement.com/download/.../PAGameCommHuntervol1.... modern firearms. Q171. More opportunities existed to hunt w/ crossbow ...... Crossbows should be allowed during archery season, and regarding muzzleloaders, ... [PDF]harvest of wildlife in georgia 2005-2006 - Responsive Management www.responsivemanagement.com/.../GA_Harvest_Wildlife_Report.pdf‎ Cachedhandicap permit before crossbows were made legal. 13,957. 85.6. Crossbow hunters who used archery equipment in a previous season before hunting with ... [PDF]georgia wildlife harvest survey 2004-2005 - Responsive Management www.responsivemanagement.com/download/.../GA_Wildlife_Harvest.pd...‎ Cached0.40. 0.02. Most crossbow hunters were new to crossbow hunting, as only 10.1% had hunted previously ... handicap permit before crossbows were made legal. [PDF]Download - Responsive Management www.responsivemanagement.com/download/.../WV_Wildlife_Report.pd...‎ CachedBow and arrow. Shotgun. Muzzleloader. Pistol or handgun. Other. Crossbow. M u ...... I'd like to see more youth days for hunting, and I am opposed to crossbows ... [PDF]deer management and deer hunting in indiana - Responsive ... www.responsivemanagement.com/download/reports/IN_Deer_Report.pdf and crossbow (5%). ...... Rifle. Handgun. Crossbow. Multiple Respons es Allowed. Percent (n=8,591) ...... allowed in Indiana, such as crossbows or centerfire.

I think he is calling the change of pace argument. Sounds like he is arguing that If someone wants to switch up during archery season, why don't they want to switch up during firearm season?

I want to answer this in two parts. First, the antis are watching all the hunting legislation and they certainly do weigh in. Second, I generally tend to agree with your other statement. If you watch any public hearing were hunting organizations testify, every organization begins the delivery of their case in very much the same way: Our organization has X members and through those members we represent X other clubs and organizations. Through our "resolution process" our stance on this issue represents X sportsman.... After doing what amounts to describing how big they are they then deliver the rest of their manifesto. I am not going to get into it about whether organizations represent the opinions of its member constituency, but I will say that many sportsmen go with the flow with little of their own evaluation. This facilitates politics very well, which pleases lawmakers, but sometimes the special interest wants & needs are not scientifically or ecologically sound. On social issues, it moves hunting in one direction or the other. Someone may not like that direction for personal reasons, but may also disagree because they are concerned the big picture may be negatively effected. I am not taking sides in the crossbow wars. But I have no problem with people speaking out and bucking the system. Many of us will be around longer than the political career of those elected to public office or hunting club office. Those who don't like the path our sport is going can become hunter education instructors and otherwise reach out to novice hunters, but only those who want your mentorship - don't try to cross dad, uncle, or an older brother....

I would attribute it at least as much to a societal paradigm shift as I would to technology. We all hunt for different reasons and maintain a different level of ethics. Some of that is explained in hunter education manuals in the chapter about the different stages of hunters. I would not be surprised if natural resource agencies have adopted the marketing research tools used by business and can look at the hunting demographic data and predict social trends in hunting. Whether they do or do not, the attitudinal change in hunters is pretty obvious. Since this change has been occurring gradually for many years, it is not restricted to a trendy youth, but to the late baby boomers, which in addition to comprising of the bulk of hunters, are the ones involved in the political arena of hunting via the boards and clubs. Since there is no term limits on state senators and assembly members, many of these older hunters have a long association with members of the legislature, particularly with members of the Republican Party. That old boy relationship with the republican party allows pro-hunting legislation to succeed in the state senate, where there are 63 seats, many of which are occupied by republicans, as a matter of fact, some critics accuse the senate districting of being Gerry-mandered, but that’s above my pay grade LOL… The Assembly districting is more challenging. There are well over 100 seats and the lion’s share of them represent districts south of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Sure, antler restrictions will pass no problem, what anti would oppose less deer or young babies being killed??? But crossbows will increase deer kill. I have seen on you tube a couple videos of anti-hunters opposing crossbows when the state of New Jersey was legalizing them. I have not heard anybody suggest that the antis have weighed in on the crossbow issue in New York, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did.

We owe them a few centuries of welfare, we would have been extinct way back if not for them. Never the less, mine don't get a free ride, they got jobs...

This sarcastic video really resonates with what a conversation between a stupid hunter and a stupid anti hunter sounds like and hints on the contemporary trends in hunting.