Hi all,
I encourage folks on the listserv to consider this issue carefully
and to provide comments to DEC during this period when the agency is seeking
public comment. A word of caution, though. As I am sure all of you can
appreciate, issues like this are rather complex -- they are not black and white
with simple answers. I certainly can appreciate and respect the opinions of
folks who don’t want to see any animals killed if at all possible. If that is
how you feel, then the petition being circulated by goosewatchnyc is something
you might really want to sign. However, if you are interested in seeking more
information about why Mute Swans are classified as invasive species, how the
DEC arrived at a statewide invasive species plan, and scientific information
about thine ecological and human impacts of Mute Swans, then I encourage you to
look elsewhere to become informed.
Although I am on the Conservation Committee for the Cayuga Bird Club,
I am writing this post as just a private person because I really feel like
folks should have the best available information so they can provide their
informed opinion and input to DEC. Statements on the website linked below
about “bad science” being used reflect only a minute part of the data used in
the decision by DEC, and they are largely taken out of context. It is a little
bit like someone dismissing the idea of climate just because they woke up to a
really cold morning. Further, the web link below describes how Mute Swans live
by the thousands in the UK in harmony with other waterfowl. I don’t have any
problem with that, but the context for the proposed action is that because Mute
Swans are not native to North America, they have ecological and social impacts
here that differ from what happens in the UK.
The group presenting the petition against removing Mute Swans is
fairly clear in their desire not to have any animals killed if at all possible.
Like I said earlier, if that is consistent with your personal beliefs, then by
all means, please consider signing the petition. However, if you are
considering signing the petition because the link below tells you to think DEC
has used bad science or has not considered the right things in its decision,
then I would encourage you not to sign the petition. The information provided
on the website relating to those issues is not factual.
One of the things I really like about the birding community served by
this listserv is that it is really passionate about birds and bird-related
issues. I am very glad to see folks bring to our attention things like the DEC
plan and that there are groups both in support of, and against, the plan. I
also believe that an important service that some of us with experience in these
matters can provide is assistance sorting through rhetoric. Maybe the
executive committee of the Cayuga Bird Club might want to develop an official
position on the DEC proposal (I am not suggesting that the executive committee
do that), but I don't think it is up to the Conservation Committee to
necessarily come out in support or opposition to it. I do think, though, that
members of the committee and other informed folks should help the rest of us
sort through the noise in the communication so we can make the best informed
decision for ourselves.
Hope this has been useful for folks to think about.
Jody Enck
From: Linda Orkin
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 2:12 PM
To: John and Sue Gregoire
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L, KHAMOLISTSERV
Just wanted to let everyone know that there are indeed two sides to the issue
of killing all Mute Swans. Here is a link which I received.
http://www.goosewatchnyc.com/mute-swan-plan/
Perhaps there is no truths on this analysis, however...
Given the DEC's NYS "management" policies towards Coyotes, no daily bag limit,
can be killed day and night and fair game for hunting contests, I am very
inclined to dislike their policies.
Linda Orkin
Ithaca, NY 14850
On Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 7:26 AM, John and Sue Gregoire
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Be aware of the special deer season throughout Tompkins County when you venture
out
in January. The second and third item propose Black Bear and Mute Swan
management
plans and are open for comment.
J.
01/15/2014
Hello,
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued the following press
release:
Special Deer Hunting Season in Central Tompkins County to Help Control Local
Deer
Population
Deer Management Focus Area Open Until January 31, 2014
A special deer hunting season to help control the deer population in and around
the
city of Ithaca, Tompkins County, will be open until January 31, 2014, State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Ken Lynch
announced
today.
The Deer Management Focus Area (DMFA) program was initiated in 2012 in the
Ithaca
area to expand the use of hunting to assist local communities burdened with
overabundant deer populations. The DMFA encompasses 60,000 acres of land in and
around the city of Ithaca, including the city and town of Ithaca, the villages
of
Cayuga Heights and Lansing, and parts of the towns of Danby, Caroline, Dryden,
Lansing, Enfield, Newfield and Ulysses.
During the special January season in the DMFA, registered hunters are
authorized to
shoot two antlerless deer per day using a shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun, or
bow (if
they have bowhunting eligibility). Hunters must still comply with all state
trespassing laws, as well as all applicable local ordinances governing the
discharge
of firearms.
To participate, hunters must register with the DMFA program and download a
permit,
carcass tags and a hunting activity log. Both the DMFA permit and carcass tags
must
be carried while hunting in the DMFA and are valid only within the DMFA. All
DMFA
hunters must record their deer hunting activity and harvests on the hunting
activity
log regardless of their success or hunting activity level, and are required to
submit the log form to DEC by February 7. Instructions are provided on the
permit
and log form.
For additional information about the DMFA, including a map of the DFMA that
includes
boundaries, a description of available hunting lands, or to register and
download a
permit, carcass tags and a hunting activity log .
A New NYSDEC Press Release Has Been Issued: DEC Releases Two Draft Species
Management Plans
01/16/2014
Hello,
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued the following press
release:
DEC Releases Two Draft Species Management Plans
Plans Will Guide Management of Black Bears and Mute Swans for the Next Ten Years
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released
draft species management plans for black bears and mute swans, and will be
accepting
public comments on these management plans through January 31, 2014.
"Wildlife management can present challenges in trying to balance populations,
hunting opportunities and environmental impacts," Commissioner Martens said.
"These
plans will guide the management of these species for the next 10 years, and we
encourage people to review and submit comments on the draft plans."
These management plans also reflect Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Hunting and
Fishing
Initiative, an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and
out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities
throughout
the state. This initiative includes the streamlining of hunting and fishing
licensing and reducing license fees, improved access for fishing at various
sites
across the state, and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions.
Black Bears
The draft Black Bear Management Plan for New York State, 2014-2024 is available
on
the DEC website.. Black bears are a very popular wildlife species among the
general
public, but can pose significant challenges when the bears become too abundant
or
are acting boldly in populated areas.
DEC's draft plan describes five primary goals that reflect the current
priorities of
bear managers and desires expressed by the public:
maintain bear populations at levels acceptable to the public;
promote and enhance bear hunting as an important management tool;
minimize the frequency and severity of human-bear conflicts;
foster understanding and communication about bear ecology, management, and
conflict
avoidance; and
ensure the necessary resources are available to support effective management of
black bears in New York.
The plan also describes the current and desired future status of bear
populations in
various geographic regions of New York.
Many of the strategies identified in the plan are already occurring; others
reflect
new work to be more fully developed during the next 10 years. The plan includes
proposals to expand bear hunting opportunities in many wildlife management
units,
especially in the Catskills and western Hudson Valley where in recent years
human-bear conflicts have become more common and pose a serious threat to human
safety and property.
Comments on the draft bear plan may be submitted in writing through January 31,
2014
to: NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Bear Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY
12233-4754 or by e-mail to
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (please type
"Bear Plan" in
the subject line).
Mute Swans
The draft Management Plan for Mute Swans in New York State is available on the
DEC
website. The mute swan is a non-native, invasive species brought to North
America
from Eurasia for ornamental purposes in the late 1800s.
Mute swans are most numerous on Long Island and in the lower Hudson Valley, but
have
expanded their range in recent years, especially around Lake Ontario. Mute
swans can
cause a variety of problems, including exhibiting aggressive behavior towards
people, destruction of submerged aquatic vegetation, displacement of native
wildlife
species, degradation of water quality and potential hazards to aviation.
This draft management plan supports actions by DEC to eliminate free-ranging
mute
swans from New York by 2025, while allowing responsible ownership of these
birds in
captivity. DEC recently proposed listing mute swan as a "prohibited species"
under
new Invasive Species regulations, which would prohibit the sale, importation,
transport, or introduction of this species in New York.
Comments on the draft mute swan plan may be submitted in writing through
January 31,
2014 to: NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Swan Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany,
NY
12233-4754 or by e-mail to
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (please type
"Swan Plan" in
the subject line).
--
John and Sue Gregoire
Field Ornithologists
Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory
5373 Fitzgerald Road
Burdett,NY 14818-9626
Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
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