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Writers oppose N.D. Fair Chase initiated measure |
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008 |
Letter from Tom and Connie Kleven
Medina, N.D.
Recent letters to the editor from Dick Monson that have been published are far from the truth and facts are not being accurately portrayed. We believe that once the public has the true facts they will be able to make an educated decision on the North Dakota Fair Chase Hunting Initiated Measure.
Fact 1) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first discovered at Fort Collins, Colo., research facility by the late Beth Williams in the mid 1960s. It is unknown to date where the disease actually started and how it was transferred to animals in other states. It is unfair to blame CWD on game ranchers only. It has been mandatory since 1998 that N.D. game ranchers test all dead animals for CWD. Currently, there have been no cases of CWD in North Dakota. So why would the blame for spreading the disease be burdened on the N.D. game ranchers? It should be noted that a North Dakota hunter shot a Colorado elk and brought it back to N.D. and it tested positive for CWD.
Fact 2) Also noted in Mr. Monson’s letter was a comment on a recent speech given by Jim Posewitz, noted wildlife author, biologist and executive director of Orion suggesting that preserve hunts are a death spiral for public hunting because it portrays hunters in the worst possible way. In the 2008 issue of North Dakota Outdoors magazine it states that there were 2,185 Game and Fish citations statewide -- none of which are from game preserves. Again, stating that public hunting is spiraling downward and blaming it on the game ranchers is unfair. There can be bad apples in the barrel on both sides. Hunters that come onto our game ranch do not break any rules and regulations.
Fact 3) It should be noted that big game provides commercial income to all aspects of North Dakota. Gas stations, grocery stores, cafes, bars, taxidermists, hotels, locker plants, guides and outfitters, farmers and ranchers, ND Game and Fish, and the game ranchers all benefit. Hunting was commercialized long before game ranches.
Fact 4) If passed, this measure could lead to attacking the personal property rights of all aspects of agriculture as well as all land and property owners.
We are asking you to not support the North Dakota Fair Chase Initiated Measure.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 May 2008 )
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