Officials at the California Department of Fish and Game are proposing to open a million acres of protected wildlife habitat game refuges to hunters. The proposal would allow hunting of deer, bear, turkey, and other animals in some areas currently being protected.
Game refuges were created in the early 20th century as a way to control overhunting and preserve viable populations. Eric Loft, head of the CDFG's wildlife operations contends that the refuges are obsolete, and that restrictions on how many animals a hunter can "take" during any given year accomplish the same thing.
Wildlife advocates contend that there's just no data to back up lifting the hunting restrictions.
And it'ss not just the animals who will suffer if these refuges are opened to hunters. It stands to reason that when an influx of hunters move in, non-consumptive participants (hikers, bikers, photographers, bird watchers, etc.) will lose their safe haven and be forced out. Some people choose to shoot wildlife with a camera instead of a firearm. Hunters will tell you (with some credibility, to be fair) that hunting gives people an appreciation of nature. Of course, there are more ways to appreciate nature than through a rifle sight. Eric Mills of Action for Animals, puts it pithily: "Do we have to shoot wild animals to appreciate them?"
California%u2019s refuges are here for everyone to enjoy, not just the hunters, and to protect the survival of our native plants, animals and their habitats.
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