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Excuse me if I seem a bit agitated, but every time I hear a
hunter, fisherman, trapper or gun enthusiast say he or she doesn’t
have time to get involved in the politics of their sport, I want to
puke.
It’s getting to the point that if the majority of the people who read this column don’t want to take a stand on outdoor issues, then why should I? I could just as easily write “Me and Joe” stories, or, like some of my colleagues, devote this space to evaluating hunting and fishing products. I mean if hunters, fishermen, trappers and gun owners refuse to help themselves, why should I argue on their behalf? Why? I’ll tell you why. Because I care, even if some of you don’t. I really don’t understand why sportsmen allow themselves to be intimidated by anti-gun zealots, animal rights groups and preservationists, each of whom would take away our inherited right to hunt, fish and trap — beginning with the dismantling of our inalienable Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms — and not do anything about it. For more than 50 years sportsmen have been told that unless they wake up and get involved in the political process, they’re going to lose their opportunity to hunt, fish, trap and shoot. Well I’m here to tell you that loss is closer than you think, and it’s no longer enough to make monetary contributions to state and national organizations. While organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYRPA), the New York State Conservation Council, the Conservation Alliance of New York and other pro hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting groups, will always speak on your behalf, there are times when you have to speak up for yourself. It’s time all legislators who are opposed to gun ownership and/or legalized hunting, fishing and trapping, understand that sportsmen are strong enough to vote them in or out of office, and the time to show that unity and strength is on January 12. That’s when the state Assembly Minority Conference’s will hold its first annual Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day, in the “Well” of the Legislative Office Building in Albany from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Both State Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Rochester) and NYSRPA president Tom King is hoping the event will draw 5,000 or more people, and have enlisted the aid of NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and Dr. Larry Rudolph, president of Safari Club International to help make that happen. That’s all well and good; but the million or so New York gunowners and other sportsmen shouldn’t need a national figure to get them to attend. The fact that more than a dozen anti-gun bills will be introduced this year should be reason enough. But as King told me on Sunday, New York’s hunters and gunowners have become too complacent, and probably won’t realize it’s to late until someone comes knocking at their door to confiscate their guns. It’s hard to say whether next Tuesday’s crowd will hit the desired number, but a good many of the attendees will be arriving by bus, as sportsmen’s organizations from across the state will be providing transportation. In Columbia County for example, a bus will be leaving from Val-Kin Restaurant, 1009 Route 9, Kinderhook at 8 a.m. According to Columbia County Sportsmen’s Federation president Don LaValley, while he can’t get more than 55 people on the bus, it’s important that all sportsmen attend this Awareness Day, if for no other reason then to let the state Senate and Assembly know we are united in our stand on gun and other sporting issues. Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs secretary Hank Coons, said he still needs ten people to fill the 55 seats on the bus his group will be using, and can’t — for the life of him — understand why sportsmen aren’t breaking down his door to be included. “When we first announced we would be getting a bus, I thought it would have filled up in a couple of days,” Coons said, adding that the situation with restrictive gun legislation is serious, and sportsmen better wake up to the fact that the anti’s are closing in.The bus is scheduled to leave the Hunter Motor Coach Line garage on Scheller Park Road in Coxsackie at 8 a.m. If you’d like to be part of this organized effort call Coons at 518-943-0644, or e-mail him at hankcoons@mhcable.com . The Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of Ulster County already filled one bus, and there are about 30 seats available on a second bus. According to federation second vice president Elmer LeSuer, the cost is $20 and you can reserve a seat by calling him at 914-466-5940, or by e-mail at elmer@georgecoleauctions.com . “Ninety-nine percent of the success of this event and the amount of respect we will receive from legislators hinges solely on attendance and therefore the success rests squarely on the shoulders of sportsmen to attend this event,” LeSuer said. The buses will be leaving from the Macy’s Hudson Valley Mall store entrance at 7:15 a.m. Each of the attendees are encouraged to call their state representatives and make an appointment to meet with them in their offices that same day. News and Notes: While speaking of gun restriction, the Rhinebeck Town Board recently passed a comprehensive zoning plan that places strict limitations on the amount of noise emanating from ranges. The language states that ranges will not be permitted within 900 feet of a property boundary, public trail or park, public or private road, public right-of-way, or publicly maintained road. Hours of operation will be limited to 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., with the opening time pushed back to noon on Sundays and state and federal holidays. The Kinderhook Sportsmen’s Club is facing a similar dilemma as neighbors complain about the noise coming from the shooting range. Fortunately the clubs charter predates the town’s zoning laws, but that doesn’t mean the complaints are going to end. Dropping anchor ‘til next time. Back to Oswego County |