The Editor Sir,I have been informed that even after the terrible Hurricane Dean, the Government and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) are still planning to allow the 2007 bird shooting season to be held.
I have been an ardent bird shooter since age four, when I would go with my father, and have been involved in the sport for the past 45 years. I have never missed a bird season, therefore, under normal circumstances, I would never be one not to want to have a bird season.
In 2004, after Hurricane Ivan, the Government and NEPA saw it fit to stop the bird season immediately because of the damage to the bird population. So why are they willing to allow the season to be held at this time after the passing of Hurricane Dean.
We are not allowed to shoot birds without a hunter's permit purchased through dealers who collect it on behalf of NEPA. The cost is $10,000 this year; and it has increased every year since its inception. As a bird shooter I pay this fee grudgingly, as I do not see where it goes to protect or enhance the birds or wildlife population. It has not been paid this year by most shooters, because the season which should have started on August 18 was postponed to September 1 due to the general election.
Main Reason
I believe this is the main reason for NEPA allowing the season to still be held from the 8th September. NEPA needs this money because they depend on it to finance a major part of their budget. They are willing to allow the bird season to be held and the few birds that survived the onslaught of Hurricane Dean to be slaughtered so that they can finance their budget.
I have been informed that the season has been cut from sixweeks to three weeks, and that the shooters are still required to pay the full permit fee of $10,000. This drives home my point that NEPA is only interested in getting their budget financed and do not have any interest in our wildlife protection.
I have always had a low opinion of this organisation, but now they have confirmed my worst fears that they do not care about our wildlife or our environment. They are only interested in collecting revenue.
I am, etc.,
KEITH DELAPENHA
Manchester
Mandeville
