8 - Sunday, November 29, 1987 - North Shore News Mailbox ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Reader disputes Dear Editor: and their funding which is leading Having been, to some extent, the | the way in these projects. subject of Mr. Hunter’s column : Nov. 6, I would like to make a few comments. First.of all, it is worth looking at why this column was written. Last Feb. 25, Mr. Hunter wrote a col- umn which contained numerous inaccuracies including the two referred to in Nov. 6's paper. The following day, I dropped a letter off at the News pointing out these inaccuracies. So what of this latest column? First of all, Mr. Hunter continues to make errors. He states that “The Bighorn Sheep are in danger, all right, but..."" In fact, only four species are endangered in B.C. and none of these are game animals, They are the sea otter, the white pelican, the burrowing owl‘and the Vancouver Island marmot. Mr. Hunter says he will give me the benefit of the doubt as he cannot prove otherwise. The hard facts are that loss of habitat due to a variety of reasons is the greatest problem facing the Bighorn Sheep. This problem is presently being dcalt with by various methods including land acquisition and controlled burning . (which, interestingly enough, Mr. Hunter’s initial column opposed). Incidently, it is sportsmen’s groups Cyclists: use lights Dear Editor: Having just helped at an acci- dent where two cyclists were knocked down by a car, | am’ amazed these are not more com- mon. It was on a dark, poorly lit - Street and neither cyclist was equipped with lights. I’m sure many readers have nar- rowly missed /hitting other unlit cyclists.' I like cycling myself but cannot ‘understand why so many cyclists are’ so imbecilic as to: ride at night without lights and why so little is done to enforce the law which they. are breaking by their stupidity. Local doctor West Vancouver areca The warehouse is overstocked with brand new 1987 model sewing machines, To make room tor 1988 stock we have been authorized to “} clear the PFAFF 1035. Regularly priced at $899.95 For just $599. 95 ATs Save $150.00 onthe PFAFF Hobbylock 794 Serger. Regular $1049.95 |; | [nr $899.95 | era chiaaliint! OPEN DAILY: Peete 986-1341 30-6:00;, SUNDAY 12.00-5:00 : or eae Suess | My second comment regarding \ this column concerns Mr. Hunter's ‘passing the buck on his error con- cerning seas. and limits on moose. He contends the gov- ernment is no help due to their Secrecy, and therefore he had to rely on inside information from another activist’s source. Well! Real spy stuff this. ‘What I don't understarid is why he didn’t simply pick up one of the 200,000 or so copies of the B.C. Hunting Regulations Synopsis which are distributed yearly by the government. But perhaps that’s not cloak and dagger enough for a true investigative journalist. Hinally, Mr. Hunter makes statements inferring that he doubts my (and, by extension, all hunters) care,and concern for wildlife and feels: we should be camping in- stead. While the vast majority of hunters are also campers, the sug- gestion is, I suppose, that hunting is somehow ‘‘wrong’’ and people like Mr. Hunter who restrict their activities to camping are better for wildlife. Is he correct? Let’s look at some facts. Licence and tag fees for B.C.'s approximate 125,000 resident hunters \ raise over 4.2 million dollars ‘annually for the gov- ernment;to use on conservation. There is no charge for ‘‘just look- ing’’ and therefore no funds raised for conservation. ob Furthermore, in addition to government projects which are funded by these hunting fees, the B.C. Wildlife Federation and sportsmen's clubs of various kinds throughout the provitice also have their own regional projects. In other words, where the gov- ernment's projects and money end, sportsmen’s groups continue with work and funding that otherwise would not exist. These projects include habitat acquisition, enforcement support programs, winter feeding, range seeding, radio tracking, game transplants, fence toprailing and others too numerous to mention. And while it is hunters who are the people actually raising the money and doing the physical work that sees these projects through, their efforts benefit ALL who use or appreciate B.C.’s wildlife. That includes people like Mr. Hunter. Having seen what hunters are contributing to conservation here in B.C., it would interest me to know what Mr. Hunter and his fellow activists have actually ac- complished. I know they complain a lot, but talk is cheap. Perhaps Mr. Hunter could write an article detailing the money he has put into and the free time he has spent working on wildlife enhancement sites here in B.C. It is my guess that such an article would be pretty short. : In summation, \it appears that Mr. Hunter knows no more now CHIMNEY CLEANING * Rock & brick fireplace facings * Chimney & firebox repairs e Work guaranteed $9995 This month only Call Peter “the Chimney Sweep” 986-1040 SO MUCH VALUE. SO LITTLE TIME. 1 Hour Service Our Fashion Eyeglass prices are the best value on the North Shore. We will fill your distance or reading prescription in most cases the same day, and AT NO EXTRA COST!! Our in store laboratory in addition to our top quality products and service will provide you with the finest pair of glasses you h ave ever had. WESTERN OPTICAL 985-0707 on Lonsdale at 13th St. “trom a specu selection of frames Drstance or reading glass, normal pewer range than when he wrote the first arti- cle. While hunters, ranchers, log- gers and other user groups are learning to respect cach other and work together for the betterment of the environment, activists like Mr. Hunter continue to do nothing but try and impose their narrow- minded standards on others. Mr. Hunter may indeed feel we ° should just go camping. But the fact remains that if the money and effort input by B.C.'s hunters were to cease tomorrow, the wildlife in this province would face a far grimmer future than they do now. In closing, I have one last cor- rection and piece of advice for Mr. Hunter. In his article, when refer- ting to the Bighorn Sheep, Mr. Hunter says ‘‘...hunters were tak- ing the healthiest, biggest bulls.’’ Mr. Hunter, if you want to be seen as someone knowledgable in B.C. wildlife, you should learn to refer to male sheep as ‘‘rams,” not “bulls.”? Otherwise, someone just may think you don’t know what lunter’s column you're talking about. R.J. 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