Andrea - I would not have refered to them as morons if they had been hunting in
the hunting area. I am not anti-hunting. I AM anti-poaching. There was no
question about the illegality of the actions of these idiots. Beyond the fact
that they were not where they were supposed to be, they were a hazard to others
as they were shooting from the trail. (unfortunately they were not hazardous
enough to themselves.)

As for what to do, I don't think any of us had a cell phone, although I didn't
think to ask. (I'm enough of a ludite that I don't even remember that people
have portable phones). We thought about confronting them, but they had the
gun.

What there ought to be are:

1) Graphic NO HUNTING signs that do not require reading.
2) Explicit NO SHOOTING signs for the south end.
3) A phone number clearly posted (at least 6" numbers) for reporting poaching.
4) Twice-a-day (minimum) visits from a video-equipped ranger.
5) Judges who will convict and fine/jail the perps.

Poaching isn't safe, it isn't fair, it disturbs wildlife, and it interferes
with others using the land. Every hunter should be as eager to throw the book
at these idiots as any animal-rights activist would be.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== hummer at isomedia.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Grad, Andrea E." <agrad at helsell.com>
To: "Tweeters (E-mail)" <TWEETERS at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2001 1:40 PM
Subject: RE: SAS trip to Spencer Island 11/1/2001


> I assume Michael was referring to the north end of Spencer
> Island as where the hunters were -- the south end is the refuge.
> Also, hunters contribute millions of dollars a year to habitat
> restoration/preservation (through, e.g., Ducks Unlimited) and
> state/federal wildlife stewardship (through license fees), so I hope
> people keep that in mind before using blanket derogatory labels for
> them. If they were hunting in the refuge, of course, that's another
> story ...
>
> Andrea Grad
> Alki
> agrad at helsell.com
>