Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Dear Mr. Rossi,

 Assembly Bill A08790 is the companion Bill to S6589-2013 which establishes a moratorium on the Department of Environmental Conservation's plan to declare mute swans a "prohibited invasive species" and to eliminate all of the 2,200 mute swans in the state by 2025.I want to thank you for writing me on this important issue and I wanted you to know I have asked to Co-Sponsor A08790 and call on this moratorium to be established.

 If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call my District Office at 516 561 8216.

   Sincerely,

 Brian Curran

Member of Assembly, 21st AD

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Dear Mr. Rossi,

 Assembly Bill A08790 is the companion Bill to S6589-2013 which establishes a moratorium on the Department of Environmental Conservation's plan to declare mute swans a "prohibited invasive species" and to eliminate all of the 2,200 mute swans in the state by 2025.I want to thank you for writing me on this important issue and I wanted you to know I have asked to Co-Sponsor A08790 and call on this moratorium to be established.

 If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call my District Office at 516 561 8216.

   Sincerely,

 Brian Curran

Member of Assembly, 21st AD

 

 

 

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mike

 

 

I’ve been following your posts as non-water fowl hunter.  I hunt small game and big game, never got into water fowl.

 

As you might remember, I started a thread where I stated that I thought it was a waste of state money for state employees to round up and remove swans. However, I really don’t care if folks choose to hunt them. 

 

But your postings got me to thinking.  What do you think would happen when the 1st swan is shot by a water fowl hunter on Long Island sound or the lower Hudson?  Not looking for an argument, because I don’t hunt ducks or intent to hunt  giant white ducks. 

 

Don’t you think the NYC media would film this first swan being shot by a hunter?  Wouldn’t it get posted to social media. 

I don’t think the limited number of NYS water fowl hunters could ever win the public relations shit storm that would come your way.  I think within a short time of the first swan getting shot down here, there would be calls for the complete ban on water fowl hunting on long island sound.

 

Again I really don’t care if folks hunt swans.  Just don’t want to pay NYS employees to remove them.  Let land owner or others gather the eggs or  hunt them if they wish.  But beware of what you wish for.  I always thought it important to pick your battles and mute swan hunting might not be a battle worth fighting.

 

best regards

 

Edited by mmkay
Link to comment
Share on other sites

60,000 of the people that like to look at them but the same 60 that dont have to deal with their crap of the damage they do on the land or farm crops per say. End up like the white snow rats that land up here by the thousands and ruin a field in one day or ruin their habitat of the flyways.  Whatever it takes to keep them under control will work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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".
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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/
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Below is a response from your office to an email I sent to Senator Ball, however, I don't understand how this reply is relevant to my message. My original message follows the response. I would appreciate if you take a few moments to read my letter and recommend Senator Ball asks Senator Avella and the cosponsors of  S-6589 to reconcile my statements before deciding whether or not to support their proposal.

.
Hide message history
On Friday, March 14, 2014 9:30 AM, Greg Ball <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello!

It is an honor to serve as your State Senator and while I am focused on the
number one issue that effects us all, jobs, jobs, jobs, I appreciate your
correspondence on Animal Rights.  I appreciate your reasoning on this issue
and I look forward to further dialogue as we move forward during the 2014
legislative session.

I need your help to continue to fight for animal rights and to protect our
furry friends!

I understand your concerns about animal rights, please know that I am as
passionate as you are about protecting our most vulnerable friends, our
animals. I have fought throughout my entire career to help protect animals.
Bills that I have sponsored to protect animals include:

- Buster’s Law Registry (S2305-A): Creates a Criminal registry of those who
violate Buster’s Law, which made animal cruelty a felony in New York State.

-Charlemagne’s Law (S7268- A): Updates and improves the standards of care
at licensed pet dealers in New York State

-Bushmeat Bill (S2649 - A): Combats the import of bushmeat (meat from
wildlife species such as elephants, gorillas, antelope, etc.) and closes
federal loopholes

-Abused Animal Care Act (S2665 – B) : Requires Animal Abusers to pay for
the cost of care for abused animals that have been seized

- Puppy Mill Bill: Would make it a felony to intentionally fail to provide
adequate shelter for a dog

Please contact your local Assembly Member as well to get their support on
these critical issues.

I also invite you to join me for Animal Advocacy Day in Albany. This year
the event will be held on May 28th in the Capital. Please contact my office
at 845-279-3773 for more information.

It is vitally important that we work together to find commonsense solutions
that work to make New York great again! Always know that your thoughts and
concerns are appreciated and will be taken into consideration as I vote and
conduct my duties as your State Senator. If you would like to meet with me
personally, I’d be honored!

Sincerely,


Greg Ball
Senator Greg Ball, 40th Senate District
Chairman, Veteran's, Homeland Security
and Military Affairs Committee




                   

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

The following response was received today:

 

Just wanted to update you on S.6589A.  This bill passed in the Senate
yesterday, and has been delivered  back to the Assembly.  I was pleased to
have voted for its passage in the Senate.
Sen. Kathy Marchione
NYS Senate 43rd District
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is that fast enough for all of you, and to boot they made sure they finalized it on the last day before they go on vacation until the fall.... Animal Rights extremists right here in NY, complain to a politician and a DEC proposal is blocked. The politicians  ran it through for them in about 8 weeks... The animal rights people  did NOT have Audubon and those groups with them on this issue either. Audubon and other conservation groups were on the DEC's side and supported the plan. Animal rights did this all by themselves...

 

Whether you hate Governor Cuomo or not, contact his office ASAP and tell him you prefer  the DEC makes the decisions regarding ecology and request he does not to sign this bill!

 

The assembly has the bill, they can send it to the governor at any time. Even when they are not in session. Once the governor has the bill, he has 10 days to either sign of veto it. Do not wait, contact Cuomo right away. Tell the governor to VETO this bill!

Edited by mike rossi
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mr. Rossi,

 

This is Assemblyman Lalor’s chief of staff. Thank you for the email. This was obviously a complex issue, but ultimately Assemblyman Lalor was concerned about the broad environmental impact of an invasive species and felt a no vote was appropriate.

 

I agree that the governor should consider a veto.

 

Thanks for your support.

Chris

--

Chris Covucci

Chief of Staff

Office of Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor

[email protected]

 

 

 

Edited by mike rossi
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mike

 

 

I’ve been following your posts as non-water fowl hunter.  I hunt small game and big game, never got into water fowl.

 

As you might remember, I started a thread where I stated that I thought it was a waste of state money for state employees to round up and remove swans. However, I really don’t care if folks choose to hunt them. 

 

But your postings got me to thinking.  What do you think would happen when the 1st swan is shot by a water fowl hunter on Long Island sound or the lower Hudson?  Not looking for an argument, because I don’t hunt ducks or intent to hunt  giant white ducks. 

 

Don’t you think the NYC media would film this first swan being shot by a hunter?  Wouldn’t it get posted to social media. 

I don’t think the limited number of NYS water fowl hunters could ever win the public relations shit storm that would come your way.  I think within a short time of the first swan getting shot down here, there would be calls for the complete ban on water fowl hunting on long island sound.

 

Again I really don’t care if folks hunt swans.  Just don’t want to pay NYS employees to remove them.  Let land owner or others gather the eggs or  hunt them if they wish.  But beware of what you wish for.  I always thought it important to pick your battles and mute swan hunting might not be a battle worth fighting.

 

best regards

 

 

NY has 35,000 waterfowl hunters. And we raise a lot of money... Here are the records, but that is a miniscule percent of the money raised by every chapter.

 

Ducks Unlimited's 75th Anniversary will be remembered by many as the year the single-event fundraising record was broken... four times!

 

Last February, DU's New York City chapter kicked off the organization's 75th anniversary celebration at the historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Hosting a crowd of more than 600 attendees, chapter chairman Michael Witter and his committee secured $1.2 million and set the bar for what would be a historic year by surpassing the all-time fundraising record for a single DU event.

 

Not long after, in March, DU's Blackhawk chapter in Danville, California, upped the ante with a $1.4 million event.

 

This new record was, in turn, topped in July by DU's Downtown Chicago chapter, which, led by chairman John Schreiner, raised an astonishing $1.45 million (see sidebar). Indeed, the City of Big Shoulders came through big-time for the ducks!

 

That record stood until October 25, when John Nau, a trustee for Wetlands America Trust and owner of Silver Eagle Budweiser of Houston, hosted nearly 600 guests at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas. This Houston DU event raised a whopping $1.65 million for wetlands and waterfowl conservation, breaking the single-event fundraising record for the fourth time in one year!

 

In preparing for the event, Houston chapter chairman David Koch (a former DU collegiate chapter chairman at Texas A&M University) and his committee stuck to a model that has driven their fundraising success for years. "DU Houston has a program we call the Wetlands Sponsor of the Year," Koch explained. "The concept was developed years ago to recognize and honor a conservationist and sportsman from the community through our event and allow their family, friends, and associates to join in the celebration."

 

The Houston chapter's 2012 Wetlands Sponsor of the Year honoree was Jim Flores, a lifelong Gulf Coast resident, avid waterfowl hunter, and longtime supporter of wetlands conservation. In his comments, Flores energized the crowd by sharing his passion for conservation and DU's mission. Several DU board members and executive staff from across the country were also in attendance, including DU CEO Dale Hall, First Vice President George Dunklin Jr., Senior Vice President Paul Bonderson Jr., At-Large Board Member Rogers Hoyt Jr., and Texas DU State Chairman Rob Gokey.

 

Like most DU events, the Houston chapter's fundraising activities included an extensive raffle of art, firearms, and outdoor items, as well as silent and live auctions. The live auction, which raised more than $500,000, is believed to be the most successful ever at a DU event.

 

"The primary reason for our continued success is that we have a very large committee of passionate volunteers who want to be on a winning team," Koch noted. "We continually add new committee members and give them important jobs right away. Everyone on the committee has a direct influence on our success, and we approach our events with a true team attitude. We have fun all year long. It's more than a one-night party for us!"

Edited by mike rossi
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mike

Good luck with the giant white duck hunt!

They are actually good eating. 50+ years ago when we were poor and if it landed in the farms pond we used to eat one every now and then.

But I still think it will get bad press and hurt duck hunters in the end. The duck hunters get haressed on Long island sound now. shooting somebodys 'pet' swan won't go over very well.

Best.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mike

Good luck with the giant white duck hunt!

They are actually good eating. 50+ years ago when we were poor and if it landed in the farms pond we used to eat one every now and then.

But I still think it will get bad press and hurt duck hunters in the end. The duck hunters get haressed on Long island sound now. shooting somebodys 'pet' swan won't go over very well.

Best.

 

If you had read the first draft plan, you would have seen that in addition to eradicating the free-ranging (wild) mute swan population; the plan also called to declared them a "prohibited species". There was stipulations in the plan that grandfathered people who already had mute swans to keep them; provided they were to be pinioned, sterilized, and caged on private property. Under those proposed regulations, if a pet mute swan got shot, it would be because the owner was not in compliance with the law.

Edited by mike rossi
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used the term 'PET' very loosely. these folks think all swans are their their pets. I live on a lake... I know what the weekenders (NYC crowd) think of them

The damm things are gaint tame DUMB ducks. no need to hunt them, you could just throw some bread out and then whack them with a bat if you wanted. or chop their head off with a machet. they don't run, they follow you, pecking at you for food. I had one fat one follow me every time I cut my lawn a few years back.. Neighbors dogs got that one.

but again, I really don't care what happens. I don't hunt ducks, but I do fear no one will hunt duck in Southern NYS if swans start getting shot on TV or youtube

Edited by mmkay
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Below is ANOTHER response written as if I agreed with their vote. Either these lawmakers are playing games with me or they are not reading my mail or they are hiring incompetent people to read their mail.

 

The salary of lawmakers is how much, anyone know?

 

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing regarding the protection of mute swans in New York.  The State Senate shares your concerns for wildlife protection, which is why we passed legislation recently to prohibit the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s plan to eliminate mute swans.

Two bills passed by both the Senate and Assembly would establish a moratorium on DEC’s plan to declare mute swans a prohibited invasive species, thereby preventing the eradication of the state’s swan population. The Republican Conference had serious concerns as wildlife experts and environmentalists debated  the effect on the ecosystem of the planned extermination.

Experts estimate the mute swan population to be about 2,200 in the state. The bills were also passed by the Assembly and now await the Governor’s final approval.

Thank you for sharing your position on protecting the mute swans. Our Republican Conference agrees with your concerns and look forward to acting in a responsible manner as it relates to all wildlife in our great state. Please feel free to contact my office with any further questions.

Sincerely,

Dean G. Skelos
Majority Coalition Leader
New York State Senate

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Similar Content

    • By mike rossi
      Details coming soon!
       
      As mourning doves expand northward Canadian Providences are instating hunting seasons. British Columbia has hunted doves for some time. Southern Ontario instated a season in 2014, and now Quebec. There is also a pending proposal in Manitoba and discussion elsewhere. 
    • By mike rossi
      Air Shotguns add a new dimension to dove hunting. Note the comment about the overhead utility lines, we are going to recommend the DEC prohibits dove hunting within gun range of lines to prevent damage to them. They are taking Eurasian collared doves, which are similar to our native mourning doves. They are spreading and it is not too uncommon to find this introduced dove across NY. The impacts of ECD are not known at this point.
       
      If you want to hunt doves in NY, sign our online petition at this link: http://nydovehunting.weebly.com/petition.html 
       
      For info on Eurasian Collared Doves go to this link: http://nydovehunting.weebly.com/eurasian-collared-dove-hunting-ndash-endless-opportunity.html
       
       
       
    • By mike rossi
      Upcoming movie pushes back against the anti-bird dog movement, recommended by the AKC: 
       
      http://nydovehunting.weebly.com/new-movie.html
    • By mike rossi
      Dove Hunting, Spying on Trapper's Convention, NAVHDA Bird Dog Training, and more...
      This page takes a moment to load... it's worth the wait.
       
      http://nydovehunting.weebly.com/anti-hunting-activity-in-new-york.html
    • By mike rossi
      By now you might understand the utility of the information we are sending you and why we are sending it to you. If you are still cursing us out or scratching your head because you are not quite there yet, please stick around! 
       
      Below is a summary we compiled which reflects the central premises of anti-hunting activists both in general and specific to dove hunting. (In the future we will adapt this to pheasant stocking, Sunday hunting, and young forest management).
       
      Categories of arguments are grouped and typical premises of each category are listed.
       
      For your convenience the same information is attached to this email as a pdf file which can be downloaded and saved to your computer.
       
       
      Catalog of Arguments Frequently used by Anti-Hunting Organizations and Activists
       
      Hunter Attitude and Behavior Arguments
       
      1. Lack of interest in retrieving doves.
      2. Hunters do not retrieve or eat doves but rather use them for target practice. Comments made by hunters, outdoor writers, and hunting spokespersons which reflect that or can be construed as such, are frequently quoted by anti-hunters and the media. 
      3. Dove hunting practices are cruel/inhumane/unethical/immoral/unsporting
      4. How hunting causes suffering to doves, for example wounding and not retrieving.
       
      Social Imbalance Arguments
       
      1. Expanding hunting opportunity will contract opportunity for non-hunting activities.
      2. Participation in hunting is shrinking and there is more revenue generated and greater participation in other outdoor activities. Policy should favor the majority.
      3. Expanding hunting opportunity will make NY less desirable for non-hunting recreation which will result in lost revenue for the state and local economies.
      4. The vast majority of hunters are middle aged or older Caucasian males.
       
      Power and Control Arguments
       
      1. Decisions should be made by majority rule (voting).
      2. Hunting policy is decided under a rigged system tainted by favoritism, politics, special interests, money, and abuse of power.
      3. State wildlife agencies mismanage wildlife to accommodate hunters because hunting license revenue is their primary source of funds.
      4. A pro-hunting culture exists within the DEC.
      5. There is no anti-hunting representation on the Conservation Fund Advisory Board and the Fish and Wildlife Management Board. At least one representative of the Humane Society of the United States should be appointed to these boards to represent the interests of the broader public, not just hunters.
       
      Public Participation Arguments
       
      1. Anti-hunters claim they are disenfranchised from the decision making process, the extent to which they are involved, the nature of their involvement.
      2. Lack of transparency of the decision-making process exists.
      3. Public notice was inadequate and therefore stakeholder participation was compromised. 
       
      Arguments about the reliability of population estimates, monitoring, and information about mourning doves.
       
      1. Science is not recent enough
      2. Quality of science is inadequate or questionable
      3. Need NY specific data
      4. Imprecise population estimates
      5. There is speculation surrounding dove management.
      6. NEPA requires ESA, EIS before instating a dove hunting season and/or similar action should be taken prior to considering a dove season. 
       
      Wildlife management is a failure/debacle
       
      1. Management of doves and other wildlife is not working/failing/ineffective.
      2. Animal-related problems are the result of human arrogance, intervention, manipulation or management.
      3. Hunting causes imbalanced wildlife populations.
       
      Dove Hunting is not biologically justified
       
      1. Management need does not exist because doves are not overpopulated or a nuisance species, therefore hunting is not biologically justified.
       
      Dove hunting will not generate conservation revenue or general economic activity.
       
      1. Flawed economic report (flawed because of gross misinterpretation of data)
      2. Participation in dove hunting does not require much money so it should not be allowed
      3. Dove hunters do not buy electronic dog equipment so the economic impact of dove hunting is insignificant.
      4. Dove hunting will only redistribute the effort but not increase license sales.
      5. Dove hunting will have an impact on ticket sales for concerts and basketball games thereby hurting the economy.
       
      Lack of meat
       
      1. A dove is too small to provide “sustenance”.
       
      Palatability
       
      1. Dove meat has a bitter taste that requires heavy marinades
      2. Crow tastes like wild duck and doves
       
      Doves as Symbols
       
      1. Christian
      2. Hebrew
      3. Pagan
      4. Military
      5. Pacifist
      6. Artist Picasso's painting of the Peace Dove.
       
      Public Safety
       
      1. Dove hunting jeopardizes the safety of non-hunters recreating outdoors
       
      Maintain the Status Quo
       
      1. Doves have not been hunted in NY for many years and that protection should remain in place.
       
      Assigning Characteristics to Doves
       
      1. Peaceful, innocent, helpless, loving, devoted, cute, etc.
       
      Incidental Take of Protected Birds
       
      1. Concerns are often raised about hunter’s ability or commitment to identify doves in flight
      2. Persons self-identifying as “experienced” bird watchers, or indicate they study birds for a living (including several artists who characterize their livelihood as “study birds for a living”) indicate they personally have misidentified stationary doves with binoculars, and assert that an error is more likely when discerning birds in flight without binoculars.
       
      Miscellaneous
       
      1. “I am not an animal rights extremist” “I am just a concerned bird watcher”.
      2. ‘I am a hunter, but I oppose hunting doves”.
      3. Orphaned chicks
      4. Compare mourning doves with the passenger pigeon.
      5.  Pb ammunition
      6. Hunters will shoot at doves flying near or perched on utility lines and damage them.
      7.  Writer indicates experience owning a dove or other bird as a pet, saving young birds.
      8. Writer advocates teaching children and/or adults about coexisting with wildlife, animals were here first, compassion for doves, reverence for all life.
      9.  Eating meat is unhealthy or bad for the environment.
      10.  Amount of money spent by both sides or the government in fighting the matter.
      11. Because I feed doves in my backyard people should not hunt them.
      12. Hunters already have enough species to hunt.
      13. Doves are the Farmer’s Friend because they control nuisance plants by eating seeds.
      14. New York State Assembly Rule 3, Sec 1(f) requires the Fiscal Implications of Legislation must be determined.
      15. Anti-hunters will often quote or paraphrase statements made by well-known persons, some of which were published over 120 years ago. The content of such statements is varied:  opinion, outdated science, and often speculation that did not pan out over time.
       
      Characterization of Hunters
       
      1. Real men do not hunt
      2. Hunters are cowards
      3. Hunters are feeble-minded
      4. Hunters are inbred
      5. Hunters are overweight or “paunchy”.
      6. Hunters are backwards
      7. Hunters are hicks
      8. Hunters are Caucasian males
      9. Hunters are an aging and dying breed that is going extinct, in with the new and out with the old!
      10. Hunters are drunks
      11. Hunters are non-athletic or “NARPS” – non-athletic regular person
      12. Hunters can’t fist fight so they need guns
      13.  Multiple contexts of physical inadequacy, sexual inadequacy/etc.
      14. Hunters have the “little man syndrome”.
       
      Core arguments-FD.pdf
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...