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http://nydovehunting.weebly.com/governor-cuomo-vetoes-anti-dec-mute-swan-proposal.html Read story here: http://nydovehunting.weebly.com/governor-cuomo-vetoes-anti-dec-mute-swan-proposal.html

Tony Avella's Anti- DEC mute swan bill (S-06589A and A-08790-A) passed both houses today and will be sent to the governor. All we can do is email Governor Andrew Cuomo and request he veto's the mute swan bills because the DEC knows more about managing wildlife than the humane society. This having passed both houses is now in the hands of the senate which can deliver it to the governor any time they feel. The governor would then have 10 days to either sign it into law or veto it. As of just now, the senate still has it. We need to IMMEDIATELY contact the governor and urge him to veto this proposal. This bill was expedited through the legislative process and finalized the very day before they all break for the year. The 17 sponsors in the Assembly and the 5 sponsors in the Senate made sure they completed this political favor for the animal rights organizations that endorse them before breaking until the fall!

Please click on the link below and watch the propaganda video against dove hunting created by an anti hunting group modeled after the HSUS campaign against dove hunting. The HSUS has used a short list of talking points to successfully block dove hunting throughout the United States for many years. In 2003 the state of Michigan established a dove hunting season (with the help of Ted Nugent an avid dove hunter). In 2006 the HSUS repealed the season by summarizing their website page devoted to anti dove hunting into this childish cartoon. The HSUS spent millions of dollars airing this video in segments on Michigan public television in the months leading up to the general election on which a referendum to ban dove hunting was put on the ballot by a petition the HSUS initiated. Luckily NY is not a "referendum state"; however the arguments made against dove hunting in this video, which are the same as the ones on the HSUS website, have been the exact ones they have succeeded with nationwide many times. These arguments have been used and will again be used to influence public opinion and thereby politicians by blasting them in news media, public comment, and to letters to politicians, local newspapers, and the DEC. Sportsmen can redirect public opinion with the correct response to these arguments. However the operant word is "correct". If response from the sporting community must be factually correct. Those facts can be found on NY Dove Hunting's website, face book page, and You Tube Channel. Every premise against dove hunting set forth by the HSUS and this video commercial have been addressed in NY Dove Hunting's online sites. If sportsmen do not bother to respond to editorials and such, or respond incorrectly, public opinion will be influenced against dove hunting. http://youtu.be/4jt6ebPd54U

Here is another page we created to debunk the claims that hunters do not eat doves, waterfowl and game in general. It also has some pretty good recipes and blurbs related to cleaning, storing, and otherwise processing game birds. It has been slow, but as the page grows we will publish articles more frequently. Also: some FB pages do not use the 'notes' section. We do use the notes section, so click on it for more articles, that applies to our other pages as well. Also, if you are going to help in the push for a dove hunting season, and the issue of eating doves is raised, refer them to this FB page as well as our YT Channel. All of our links are in my profile on this site. Please subscribe to all of them and recommend them among your network of hunting friends as well as to policy makers. Cooking Doves and other Game Birds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CookingDovesOtherGamebirds

The word of the week is mute swans. The DEC’s draft mute swan management plan open public comment period is coming to an end on February 21, 2014. We have made an exception for the mute swan issue and diverted from our single-issue mission on our face book page. Within the timeline/wall and the events section there is background information, links to the DEC’s plan, and talking points for your use to construct written public comment to mail or e mail into the DEC. We also emphasize that mute swan eradication is an important issue on its own face; however, our response to this issue is a surrogate of sorts for future response to a mourning dove management plan and/or a mourning dove bill. Not only does it test how effectively we can mobilize people, but gauges our level of resistance against anti - dove hunters because the opposition to mute swan management is the same crowd opposed to mourning dove hunting. Furthermore this opposition uses very similar propaganda strategies in its effort to hinder management and/or use of both species. As a matter of fact, yesterday a far reaching article by animal rights activists surfaced about the DEC’s draft plan. The animal rights article focused on the mute swan being the symbol of romance, much the same as they did with a nationwide propaganda campaign spanning 50 years claiming the mourning dove, a bird indigenous to north and South America is the dove of peace. The real dove of peace, the dove referenced in religious readings, is the ringed turtle dove which occurs in the Middle Eastern region, not the Americas. We also reviewed what is going on with the NYSCC and CFAB. CFAB, according to their documents, is developing a mourning dove management plan. We do not understand how this fits under their function, qualifications, nor what they intend to do with this plan, as they are not the DEC. On the NYSCC front, it is about the same. They listed as one of their position statements, the goal of creating a mourning dove season. However, their current list of active resolutions does not include any thing about mourning doves. To incorporate our organization and then join the NYSCC for voting privileges would not likely further our agenda of establishing a mourning dove hunting season in NY. It would force us to poll our constituency about any and all resolutions regardless of their merit; which essentially uses us to promote and publicize unsound proposals. Not only is that irresponsible it also diverts our time and resources, and the attention of our constituents away from our special interest mission and to the agendas of the same people who have not driven a mourning dove agenda for a half a century. (See “Notes” for further explanation) Notes: Why we do not incorporate and join the NYCC for voting privileges. The NYSCC, or “the council”, as they are known, has a membership which consists mainly of groups rather than individual members. A typical member would be a county sportsmen’s federation. Each “member” is entitled to submit “resolutions” in February of each year. After another meeting in April all the resolutions are mailed back to “members”. The “members” are in theory supposed to poll all of their constituent members and then report back to the council and cast votes on each resolution based on their internal election. Resolutions which are “passed” remain active for three years over which the council “pursues” them. There are numerous flaws with this system which has been in place in NY for some time and is also used in other states. We will discuss two of those flaws. First of all, unless individual members are following the resolutions, or in nepotistic situations, club officers can vote anyway they choose without polling their members on every resolution or ignore the vote tally. Second, this system allows legitimate resolutions to be used to “piggy-back” other resolutions, some which are not consistent with sound conservation. This is somewhat analogous with politicization of conservation and/or omnibus legislation. This questionable system has been cemented even further by the tenet that sportsman must stick together. The problem is still further compounded because it facilitates politicians themselves in three ways. First, it enables the two – party system to manipulate sportsmen and create rifts between them and non- shooting conservationists. Second, politicians serve ex-officio on citizen advisory boards and thirdly, politicians appoint the citizens who serve on these boards. These boards operate in collusion with the NYSCC and the outdoor writers association(s) and thereby a chain, with the various county federations. Reiteration: To incorporate our organization and then join the NYSCC for voting privileges would not likely further our agenda of establishing a mourning dove hunting season in NY. It would force us to poll our constituency about any and all resolutions regardless of their merit; which essentially uses us to promote and publicize unsound proposals. Not only is that irresponsible it also diverts our time and resources, and the attention of our constituents away from our special interest mission and to the agendas of the same people who have not driven a mourning dove agenda for a half a century.

Search You Tube for this title: Native & Introduced North American Doves Doves - Pigeons - Wild - Domestic - Feral

Region 9 Pheasant http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/93623.html Top of Form Fall Pheasant Release Plans Announced for WNY Hunters Encouraged to Enter Permit Lotteries Soon The Western New York pheasant hunting season is fast approaching, opening on Saturday, Oct. 19. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will release approximately 4,480 adult Ring-necked Pheasants on Region 9 lands open to public hunting for this fall's pheasant hunting season. Pheasants to be stocked will be provided by DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca, NY. A complete statewide list of pheasant release sites is available on DEC's website. "DEC is pleased to provide enhanced pheasant hunting opportunities in Western New York through our cooperative pheasant raising programs," said DEC Senior Wildlife Biologist Emilio Rende. "We wish local sportsmen and sportswomen a safe and successful season." The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program provides additional pheasant hunting opportunities through a partnership between DEC and sportsmen, 4H Youth and landowners interested in rearing and releasing pheasants. Birds from this program are released before the season opens and disperse widely, presenting a greater challenge for experienced hunters. Hunters are reminded to ask permission from private landowners before hunting on their lands. Many of these release sites are available for hunting because of the cooperation of private landowners. Good landowner/hunter relations are critical in ensuring that these areas remain open to hunting in future years. Hunters are also encouraged to review the 2013-2014 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide before going afield, and to be sure of their targets and beyond when hunting. The Regulations Guide identifies boundary restrictions and other important information, and is available online at. "Rooster only" and "rooster and hen" boundary descriptions are located on page 45 of the guide. A special permit is required for hunting small game during the opening day of pheasant season on Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area in the Town of Collins (Erie County), and Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area in the Town of Farmersville (Cattaraugus County). Hunters interested in entering the DEC permit lottery for these Multiple Use Areas should mail one standard size post card to: NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife 270 Michigan Ave. Buffalo, NY 14203 Post cards must include the hunter's name, address, telephone number, 2013-14 license back tag number, preferred time of hunt (sunrise to noon or 1:00 pm to sunset), and the management area desired in order of preference. All entries must be received by Oct. 1. There is no fee for the permit, and hunters awarded permits will be able to name one additional hunter on their permit. Ten permits will be issued per time block on each management area. Small game hunting on all other days will remain sunrise to sunset with no permit required. Hunters should also note that dogs are not allowed within the designated area on the Multiple Use Areas for any purpose during the 48- hour period immediately preceding opening day of the fall pheasant season as posted on Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, and Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area. Hunting throughout the pheasant season is allowed at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis and Wilson-Tuscarora State Parks in Niagara County. However, permits are required on Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 for Joseph Davis, Wilson-Tuscarora and Golden Hill State Parks. There will be 30 small game hunting permits issued for Golden Hill State Park, 14 small game permits issued for Joseph Davis State Park, and 16 small game permits issued for Wilson-Tuscarora State Park for each of the days when permits are required. There will be two separate hunts each day that a permit is required: the first hunt will be from sunrise until 12:30 p.m.; the second hunt will be from 12:30 p.m. until sunset. Hunters interested in entering the Permit Lottery at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, and Wilson Tuscarora State Parks should mail a separate, standard size file card for each date and park that you would like to hunt. Only one permit will be issued to each hunter per day. Cards may be put into an envelope for each respective park and mailed together to the appropriate address below: Golden Hill State Park Gregory Brown 9691 Lower Lake Rd Barker NY 14012 (716) 795-3885 Joseph Davis State Park Glen Caverly Lewiston Town Hall 1437 Ridge Rd Lewiston NY 14092 (716) 535-9800 Wilson Tuscarora State Park David Giambra 3371 Lake Rd Wilson NY 14172 (716) 751-6361 Information on the file card should include the hunter's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, hunting license back tag number, hunt date, and desired park location. Entries will be computerized to avoid duplications. All lottery entries must be received by noon on Saturday, Sept. 28. If you have any questions regarding the Permit Lottery, please call the respective Park Managers at the numbers provided above. Please note that there will be no pheasant hunting at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, and Wilson Tuscarora State Parks on release days (Oct.25 and Nov. 1). Hunters wishing to hunt pheasants in Allegany State Park are reminded that they must pick up a free hunting permit at the Administration Building near Redhouse Lake before hunting in the park. No small game hunting is allowed in Allegany State Park during the regular big game season that runs from Nov. 16 until Dec. 8. Please refer to the attached table for a summary of the number of pheasants to be stocked and release sites in each county. Any questions should be referred to DEC's Bureau of Wildlife at (716) 851-7010 in Buffalo or (716) 372-0645 in Allegany. Additional information about pheasant hunting is available on DEC's website. 2013 Region 9 Adult Pheasant Stocking County Birds Township Release Site Allegany 364 New Hudson Hanging Bog WMA along New Hudson Road 126 Birdsall Keeney Swamp WMA Route 15B, off North parking area Cattaraugus 259 Conewango Randolph Conewango Swamp Wildlife Management Area - between Route 241 and Conewango Creek. 280 Red House Allegany State Park, Wolf Run Road and Upper Bay State Road (free permit necessary from Administration Building). 210 Farmersville Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area: Special permit required for opening day October 19.** 273 South Valley Allegheny Reservoir Wildlife Management Area - vicinity of Bone Run off Onoville Road. Chautauqua 217 Sherman Alder Bottom Wildlife Management Area - off Idora Road and Route 76. Erie 287 Collins Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, south of Vail and Unger Road and Button Road. Special permit required for opening day October 19.** 161 Brant East of Mileblock Road, south of Milestrip Road. Hunting by landowner permission only! Niagara 112 Lewiston Joseph Davis State Park -Special permit required for hunting pheasants on Saturday October 19, Saturday, October 26 and November 2. * 133 Newfane East of Hess Road, near Charlotteville Road. Hunting by landowner permission only! 126 Wilson Wilson-Tuscarora State Park - Special permit required for hunting pheasants on October 19, October 26 and November 2.* Niagara 119 Somerset Golden Hill State Park - Special permit required for hunting pheasants on Saturday October 19, October 26 and November 2.* 119 West of Hosmer Road, between Townline Road and Hoffman Road. Hunting by landowner permission only! 84 East of Hosmer Road, north of Hoffman Road. Hunting by landowner permission only! 98 East of Hosmer Road, between Haight Road and West Somerset Road. Hunting by landowner permission only! *Contact NYS Park managers at the respective parks to apply for a permit. **For information about special permits at Zoar and Harwood WMAs, please contact DEC's Buffalo Office at 716-851-7201 or DEC's Allegany Office at 716-372-0645.

This was just posted by the NY Senate on youtube. I suggest watching the whole video, but in segments, since it is over 7 hours long. For example I watch one hour an evenening for 7 days. Do not skip over discussions which do not interest you because you can get a feel for each assembly and senate members attitude which is valuaeble intell. I would like to discuss this in segments as well. Particularily interesting is questions to DEC commissioner Martens from Mark Grisanti. Grisanti is the chairman of the senate environmental conservation committee. Grisanti refused to forward S-6968, the NY Dove Bill for two years allowing the bill to expire to the delight of the HSUS. The stated justification of the dove bill was to increase the states conservation fund. Grisanti did not discuss doves, but he did say that the conservation fund is so large that license fees should be reduced. No he didnt say use the money, he said lower fees so the fund depletes. The kicker is the next thing he asks about is the possible loss of federal conservation funds. If you know anything about these federal funds you know that these are grants which a state or organization applies for on a somewhat competitive basis. The state or organization's conservation funds are matched three to one. For example if the state applies one million dollars toward a project, the FWS chips in an additional 3 million. So Grisanti wants to drain the states conservation fund, but yet wants federal grants? This is just an "illusion of action" because the state cannot access its share of federal wildife funds unless it has an approved project proposal and its share of matching funds. Another point is concern with the hatcheries and the state pheasant farm. I hunt released pheasant and am glad that this program is in good shape, despite that NY got sued a few years ago by the HSUS to abolish released pheasant hunting - yeah I know nobody heard about that, but I will be reporting on that at a latter date.What is remarkable about the hatchery/farm concern is that state and federal conservation funds can create natural hatcheries/farms by habitat enhancements - a fundemental purpose of such funds. Our state has become so disconnected to that and the way this topic flowed it should have biologists shaking their heads. Please watch this entire video in segments and participate in productive discussion in the next several weeks.

Awesome Pheasant Hunt Near Sullivan County just over the P.A. line.