Post by Woody Williams on Jul 17, 2006 8:48:16 GMT -5
Rabbit population could endanger hunting
I have been seeing more rabbits this year than in recent times, but the population is definitely down from what it was 20-30 years ago. Down, but not depleted - they aren't candidates for the Endangered Species list. But there are folks that say they are. Honest.
An unnamed animal rights group recently sued the U.S. Fish and Service over its alleged failure to take action to list the New England cottontail rabbit under the Endangered Species Act. There is a difference between this apparently rare New England cottontail and the Eastern cottontail that we probably grew up with. The trouble is that one can't tell the difference between while peering over a shotgun bead.
If the New England bunnies are declared endangered, it's pretty obvious what will happen to rabbit hunting. In fact, we all know what happens to areas where Endangered Species live - off limits to all manner of hunting.
This suit was looming and was well publicized 3-4 years ago and sportsmen's groups did nothing about it. Now the lawsuit concerns the Federal Wildlife Service's compliance with statutory deadlines involved in listing a species. Typical of animal rights groups, their well-funded legal team was ingenious in how it filed the suit. Consequently, not much can be done to influence the outcome of the case.
It's expected that the feds will settle and agree to make the required findings within a set deadline. If this occurs, the FWS will seek public comments on whether or not to propose listing the New England cottontail as a threatened or endangered species. This public comment period would likely begin sometime in the next couple of months and run for 60 days.
During the public comment period, sportsmen and women can oppose the listing by submitting comments.
The comments should provide scientific and anecdotal information about the New England cottontail, including population numbers and trends, biological data, information about habitat, impacts of listing on other activities, and related topics.
www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/SPORTS/607140344/1006
I have been seeing more rabbits this year than in recent times, but the population is definitely down from what it was 20-30 years ago. Down, but not depleted - they aren't candidates for the Endangered Species list. But there are folks that say they are. Honest.
An unnamed animal rights group recently sued the U.S. Fish and Service over its alleged failure to take action to list the New England cottontail rabbit under the Endangered Species Act. There is a difference between this apparently rare New England cottontail and the Eastern cottontail that we probably grew up with. The trouble is that one can't tell the difference between while peering over a shotgun bead.
If the New England bunnies are declared endangered, it's pretty obvious what will happen to rabbit hunting. In fact, we all know what happens to areas where Endangered Species live - off limits to all manner of hunting.
This suit was looming and was well publicized 3-4 years ago and sportsmen's groups did nothing about it. Now the lawsuit concerns the Federal Wildlife Service's compliance with statutory deadlines involved in listing a species. Typical of animal rights groups, their well-funded legal team was ingenious in how it filed the suit. Consequently, not much can be done to influence the outcome of the case.
It's expected that the feds will settle and agree to make the required findings within a set deadline. If this occurs, the FWS will seek public comments on whether or not to propose listing the New England cottontail as a threatened or endangered species. This public comment period would likely begin sometime in the next couple of months and run for 60 days.
During the public comment period, sportsmen and women can oppose the listing by submitting comments.
The comments should provide scientific and anecdotal information about the New England cottontail, including population numbers and trends, biological data, information about habitat, impacts of listing on other activities, and related topics.
www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/SPORTS/607140344/1006
