RE: [cobirds] Re: Dove Hunting Season

Seth,

You may have read it differently than I did. I saw it more as a "Be careful when birding in the same areas as people with guns" which I thought was completely appropriate. I was out with a birding group at an SWA this week (most of us not knowing that dove season had started)
- when we realized we couldn't go traipsing in areas we might have gone into into because it simply wouldn't be safe. Not because hunters might be intentionally harmful but because we might not be seen.

While I recognize the rights of hunters and the data that clearly shows their financial support of conservation areas, I still don't want to be birding in areas where people are also hunting. Not only because of accidents that can happen but because it disturbs the peace I am seeking when out in nature.

Gloria Nikolai
Colorado Springs
 

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Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2013 12:47:38 -0700
From: Seth.Gallagher@rmbo.org
To: cobirds@googlegroups.com
Subject: [cobirds] Re: Dove Hunting Season

All:

Browsing the statistics it appears nationally, that there are about 100 accidental hunting deaths a year in the nation, that is compared to over 30,000 traffic fatalities so please be careful driving to your next birding destination. You're far more likely to die from getting into a car accident then you are by being shot by hunters.

 

I'm not trying to pick on anyone but as birder, and yes a hunter I find these and the postings about buying licenses to access state land very divisive. When are we all going to wake up and realize we are all on the same team here? Birders, anglers, hikers and yes, gasp, even hunters (I see all the bumper sticker at the local birding haunts "Tolorence" "Equality" etc...) don't those principles apply to the way outdoors enthusiast treat each other?

 

Sure the comment is just a warning and I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but no one suggests that during Christmas bird counts you should shut your blinds because those pesky birders will be looking your windows. ALL the hunters I know are safe respectful people, not drunk, birder harassing yahoos.

 

We have more in common then not. I work in conservation, last week a respected friend and colleague confided in me, "Seth, we're loosing" plain and simple, we are all to busy worried about our little issues while habitat conversion and fragmentations on a massive scale is moving at rapid rates. Until we can all put our biases aside and realize the only way we are going to make a dent in this crisis is by uniting, I'm not very optimistic.  I could rant on about this for hours but you get the idea.

 

Respectfully,

 

Seth Gallagher

Fort Collins, CO

 

PS: My best birds this week were American Bittern, (while Dove hunting @ Jackson SWA) and great looks Red Crossbills up on Buffalo Pass (Jackson/Routt Counties) while Dusky Grouse hunting.

 

 

On Thursday, September 5, 2013 7:41:24 PM UTC-6, birderbob wrote:

Birders should avoid "running into" Dove Hunters as they usually carry loaded firearms. . .

 

Note: Eurasian-collared doves are an exotic and can be taken without limit at any time during the year according to the current regulations - I believe a small-game license is required.

 

Bob Santangelo

Jefferson County

 

 

 

On Monday, September 2, 2013 4:48:38 AM UTC-6, Joyce Takamine wrote:

In Colorado Dove Hunting Season is between 1 September and 9 November.  If you plan to bird in an area where hunting is allowed

you may run into Hunters.

Joyce Takamine

Boulder

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