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If you convince a senator or assemblyman the facts are important they will ask the bill sponsors some tough questions and try to persuade other lawmakers ... This is why we should write politicians with factual statements.... Its not just numbers and when you don't have the numbers you must have the facts... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c8uOvlIEyc

Here is the DEC's summary report of the public comment it received on the last deer management plan. This is also useful to understand the process a little better and perhaps encourage participation. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/deerplanapc.pdf

Mute Swans are one of the worst introduced species in this country. Public comment on a NY management plan for mute swans is open right now... http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7076.html Mute swans are much larger than greater canada geese and extremely aggressive. They not only drown native ducks and geese, they also hog up and defend huge breeding territories (ie. an entire pond or small marsh) displacing breeding pairs of native waterfowl. Although wintering and fall staging birds congregate in large flocks, during the breeding season each waterfowl pair needs its own section of real estate – to make a long story short: waterfowl need MORE habitat to reproduce during the warm months then they do during the rest of the year… NY is one of the few states that prevent hunters from shooting them, unless they obtain a nuisance permit, otherwise the DEC shoots them. The reason behind this is, the HSUS filed a number of lawsuits claiming that this introduced species should be protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1916 - despite the fact they are not a native species and they don't even migrate. The state of Pennsylvania lost its first court battle with the Humane Society regarding mute swans, but after a lengthy appeal, won and now classifies mute swans as an unprotected species. These birds are quite aggressive, and like Canada geese sometimes attack people; 2 years ago one actually drowned a healthy 40 year old man while he was kayaking. If you search YouTube there are numerous videos showing how aggressive these birds are. There are dozens of videos showing mute swans drowning native waterfowl; chasing native waterfowl -even adult honkers, right off the nest. In NY a wildlife species is classed into three management categories: As a game species such as pheasant. A game species is “protected” but the DEC may set regulated hunting seasons for them. Unprotected species such as wood chucks, red squirrels, porcupines; and the following birds; rock doves, monk parakeets, starling, and English sparrow. Fully Protected species. This classification would include species with conservation status’ ranging from least concern to endangered. In NY, the mourning dove and the mute swan are in this designation, along with the bald eagle, wood rat, and spruce grouse…. Although the management of mute swans is an extremely important issue on its own face; it would not be responsible to fail to consider the similarities between the efforts of the HSUS to protect mute swans and protect mourning doves. Not only are the unscientific premises, legal maneuvers and socio-political tactics similar; but the extremely high level of success in passing their agendas is also similar. We will address these similarities in a future report; we recommend that you follow us on face book for the most direct pipe to these reports. In regards to stake holder input: Be advised as in mourning dove management the DEC, FWS, and politicians will receive a ton of comment from anti-hunters and very little input from hunters. It is vital that we make a concerted effort to participate in this comment opportunity. We suggest that you use the content of this report to research the issue and along with citing specific you tube videos when constructing your letter. We don’t like form letters and also do not want to be condescending, but if anyone needs help writing a letter or wants us to craft a form letter, let us know. Whatever you do, act right now, do not wait and tell others in your network about this.