In defense of hunt protestors

To the Editor: Thank you Mr. Eric Bunk, Ted Nugent’s puppet, for a completely laughable attempt in your letter-to-the-editor of Dec. 29 to align the Bear Education And Resource Group, it’s director Lynda Smith and it’s members to Al Queda, Hamas, or other known terrorist organizations. I have no idea what you may have been sniffing in your tree stand, but it must have been good. Since the public now has a good idea of who and what the BEAR group is, thanks to your continual barrage of misinformation, and slanderous characterization of Ms. Smith, we can all be thankful to you for our new-found wealth of knowledge. But in all fairness, I would like to give a reasonable accounting of the supposed harassment and troublesome encounters experienced by the hunting community at the hands of BEAR group members. Once commissioner Campbell gave his approval to the hastily written policy of wildlife management, the hunt was approved. It was at this time that members decided to form the “ wounded bear rescue team “ in an attempt to rescue any wounded bears that hunters gave up on. At no time did any member of the rescue teams harass or interfere with hunters. Thankfully, only one wounded bear was found, but that does not indicate none others exist or have since died. You question why this is not something we do not do on an annual basis. Actually, we have rescued several bear during the course of the year, injured from being hit by cars, missed attempts at poaching, and some natural injuries. These incidents are not reported to the press, for fear of repercussion by wildlife officials, which members have been threatened with previously. As for the arrest of six protesters (of which I was one ) for unruly conduct to police officials and park rangers, this comment clearly shows how misinformed and irrational you really are. Having applied for and received appropriate permits to stage a peaceful protest, upon arriving at the protest site (Wawayanda State Park) members were forced to park in a designated area a quarter mile away and walk to the protest area. This restriction was even enforced upon a group member displaying a handicap license plate and showing handicap credentials. Upon arriving at the site, protesters were met with an unusually large police presence and were herded into a roped-off area at the farthest outreaches of the parking lot. Not exactly an example of a person’s civil rights. With just 10 minutes remaining of our permit time, six members decided to stand up for our rights, express our dissatisfaction at the unnecessary and brutal slaughter of wildlife resources, and hopefully make a statement to those who deplore this hunt but choose to remain silent. No words were exchanged with police or park rangers, no slurs or comments uttered, no gestures made. The chief ranger in charge admirably pleaded with us to return behind the fencing or face arrest. She represented herself well in her position of a law enforcement officer, and I hold nothing against her for performing her duties. Chief Roy Wherry and Sgt. Randy Mills of the Vernon Police are also to be commended for their realization that we were dissenting citizens, not terrorist, as you claim. Having once been involved with law enforcement myself, I have nothing but respect for the law and those who uphold it. In closing Mr. Bunk, I think it important to note the absence of any letters of appreciation from food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters for the hunting community’s donations of bear meat. I did note a few City officials requesting this meat NOT be donated, and a front page thank you from an area taxidermist for the trophy stuffing business. Mr. Bunk, you seem to have a vindictiveness towards the BEAR group and a personal vendetta towards Ms. Smith, neither of which makes you a good representative or spokesperson for area sportsmen’s organizations. I guess you’re entitled to your opinion of me as a terrorist with my cardboard sign, as I am to mine of you as a highly misinformed, disgruntled individual, with a gun. Dave Stewart Vernon