This is in reference to the Santa Maria Sun commentary titled “The Thin Green Dollar” (Oct. 8), written by Ed Apalategui.
As a new volunteer hunter safety instructor with the California Department of Fish and Game and sportsman (hunter and fisherman) for more than 40 years throughout the United States and overseas, I am impressed not only with the professionalism of California’s game wardens, but also with the department’s management of fish and wildlife resources.
Based on my personal experiences from hunting and fishing in California since 1969, recent experiences as a hunter education instructor, and interacting with game wardens, I can personally discount Mr. Apalategui’s so-called “eight problems that confound honest sportsmen.”
First: A substantial amount of funding for wildlife management comes from the purchase of licenses, which raises millions of dollars annually. Depending on the number of licensed hunters, the state also receives a portion of federal funds from the 11 percent federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment and a 10 percent tax on handguns. One half of the excise tax on handguns and archery equipment is used for hunter education and target ranges.
The state’s hunter education program is more than teaching safety regarding firearms. Its goals include producing knowledgeable, responsible, and involved hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving ethically. This will insure continuation of the hunting tradition.
Second: The hunters I have encountered over the years do not hate game wardens. Hunters recognize that they have a necessary and very difficult job in enforcing the fish and game regulations. Without game wardens, the future of hunting and fishing would be bleak. At recent local hunting education classes and workshops, the game wardens established very positive public relations with the students. They presented brochures as part of their presentations and answered all questions about fish and game regulations.
Third: Sportsmen I have known and associate with do not fear game wardens will seize their guns, truck, camper, or boats because they have all completed a mandated hunter education program before purchasing a hunting license. Once a hunter completes a hunter education program, that person is taught responsible behaviors, including respect for others and wildlife, courtesy, and involvement. Responsible hunters do not poach or act carelessly.
Fourth: The benefits of the rules and regulations related to fishing and hunting are conservation and management of wildlife resources for future generations.
Fifth and sixth: There were recent changes to the 2008 Department of Fish and Game rules and regulations related to a ban on using lead bullets in the condor range when hunting big game. This is because the lead bullet causes lead poisoning and death for an endangered species, the California condor, when it eats the carcass of a deer, for example, that was not recovered by the hunter.
Any proposed changes to fish and game regulations are posted on the Fish and Game Commission’s website and given broad publicity for public comments before the changes become a law. It is the hunters’ responsibility to review state game laws before the hunting season.
Seventh: There are too many public land hunts to mention here—particularly hunts for junior hunters in order to help insure that hunting is passed on to the next generation. Again, these hunts are all posted on the Department of Fish and Game’s website, at rod and gun clubs, and at many sporting goods locations. I have no knowledge of any public lands access being gated by private parties.
Eight: Sportsmen are not portrayed as villains in the United States or overseas. All of my associates—including other hunters, anglers, hunter education instructors, and game wardens—are allies, i.e. in agreement that we all play an important role in managing and conserving our wildlife resources for the next generation of hunters and anglers.
For this to happen, we also recognize and appreciate the service and sacrifices made by game wardens and other law enforcement officers who risk their lives to insure that Americans can enjoy the privilege of hunting and fishing.
If any hunter or angler is dissatisfied with the management of wildlife resources or enforcement of hunting and fishing regulations in the state of California, one way to make a difference is to get involved and present your comments at the next Fish and Game Commission meeting.
Archie Mitchell is a Lompoc resident and volunteer California hunter education instructor. Send comments to the executive editor at rmiller@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 22-29, 2009.