I requested only New York State Residents please sign; evidently many of you are unable to understand the reason behind this request. I am forced to shut this petition down and hope to perhaps rewrite another to which people will understand simple directions -like-NEW YORK STATE Resident only.
ARRGHH!!!!
ONLY NEW STATE RESIDENTS SIGN-PLEASE-ONLY NEW STATE RESIDENTS SIGN
We need your help to prohibit Wildlife-Killing Contests in New York State.
Wildlife Killing Contests are inconsistent both with ethical standards of hunting and our current understanding of the important role species play in the natural balance of Nature's ecosystems.
A Department of Environmental Conservation official's statement regarding their stand on Wildlife Killing Contests; "The DEC does not endorse or sponsor competitive hunting events". That statement alone agrees with the opinion of the majority of voting citizens of the State of New York.
As clearly stated in Bill S2634 & A3855; "Animal killing competitions can generally be described as contests where the person or team who has killed the most animals is crowned the winner. Many of these contests are sponsored by bars and the killing of animals is generally regarded as "good fun" in a party-like atmosphere. These events are considered by the average hunter as cruel slaughters, not hunting".
One would hope this bill also be amended to clearly state; prohibit any point system for judging purposes; prohibit weight categories, prohibit the largest in size or sex-related total-tally taken or any other category for judging purposes.
To offer monetary prizes &/or firearms or other hunting-related devices as prizes not only demeans our respect in wildlife but debases our hunting heritage to nothing more than a blood-sporting mentality.
We need to prioritizing the issue of modernizing wildlife conservation and stewardship statewide. Let's move New York State toward a more responsible, science-based, and ethical wildlife stewardship.
Wildlife killing contests perpetuate a culture of violence and send the message to children that life has little value and that an entire species of animals is disposable.
Enlisting our children to partake of these events instills the wrong respect for nature; that should come with outdoor experience not with the typical brutal blood-sport environment these events generate. Wildlife killing contests put non-target animals, companion animals, and people at risk. One would hope we leave behind to the next generation a sense of responsibility & conservation where one finds no justification in the taking of any animal simply for pleasure, entertainment or prizes.
