I hate to use this blog, for this purpose, but I adamantly refuse to use OBOL to discuss, or further the "Birding, Biking vs. Hunter thread."
I am opposed first to the way some land donations seem to be handled around Oregon. It frys me to no end to go to a publicly owned area and find signs limiting access, excepting certain groups. To allow hunting but no sightseeing, birding etc.. is frustrating to me (but I see birders at Fern Ridge ignore the signs anyway. I haven't heard of anyone being fined yet). But I know why it's done, to keep people from getting shot, and over-zealous animal rights wackos from confronting hunters and causing problems. Also, I believe part of the reason so many areas are now closed to access by all is that there is too much fighting, lawsuits and bickering back and forth between the various interested groups.
It bothers me when groups or individuals purchase properties (for example the 500 acre parcel of farm land on Diamond Hill rd.) reclaim it so that it is then animal habitat, then block ANY public access. On this particular parcel on Diamond Hill road, the no trespassing notice signs even give the incorrect name and phone number to contact for information. It took me hours to find out that was really a farmer in the area looking for a tax write off! This happens to far too many pieces of land for me to accept.
The state of Oregonis another problem. ODOT, is the worst about it. I travel the state in the course of my employment, and I see parcel after parcel with "Property of ODOT, No Trespassing" signs. The property at the corner of Roosevelt and Danebo is a perfect example. It teems with wildlife, yet is surrounded by no trespassing signs. These types of parcels in particular, being off-limits REALLY pisses me off. Being blocked from access to undeveloped PUBLIC property of this type should be against the law.
In my humble opinion, the areas can all be shared if EVERYONE, respects the rights of everyone else. Bicyclists can quit looking down their noses at drivers and acting like they are better, or have more rights to the areas. Drivers need to be more considerate to the bicyclists and quit acting like they don't belong there. And for God's sake watch out for them. And all need to recognize that hunters have rights, put a fair amount of money into the coffers of the animals through the various hunting groups and from license and tag fees. For the most part, bird hunters especially are very respectful, courteous and environmentally aware. They are more often than not, professional people. Doctors, lawyers teachers and quite a few law enforcement personnel are bird hunters.
With regard to where the legislature puts the money they have, some of that general fund money probably went to fund more wildlife officers. More were added this year along with many new state police officers. If the people we elect are not doing what we wish with our taxes and fees, then they can be voted out. But that opens a very ugly conversation, because this is a liberal state and liberals keep voting in the same liberals over and over. So if you don't like what they are doing, quit re-electing them or allowing them to be re-elected.
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Rich,
ReplyDeleteI normally avoid getting sucked into these debates, at least in public forums, but I would offer that public access to many areas often translates into those areas becoming de facto dog parks,where the normal leash laws and poop pick-up protocols are typically ignored.
The Meadolark Prairie area at Royal and Greenhill west of Eugene is a prime example of this sort of boondoggle. The natural hydrology of this area has been severely compromised by the levee/concrete path that now encircles this area. Adding parking and building what amounts to a road on top of the dike has attracted swarms of human users, few of whom give a damn about the welfare of the wildlife that used to be here. Short-eared Owls formerly wintered here, but are now gone based on recent CBC reports.
Similarly, the road beyond the gate at the end of Royal Ave is a minefield of dog crap. Dogs are routinely allowed off leash there where they take great pleasure and entertain their moronic owners by splashing about in the marshes during the breeding season.
Finally, it should be made clear that the property along Diamond Hill Rd. is still privately-owned. The landowner has been working with USFWS personal to enhance it for wildlife. Regardless of ownership or public access restrictions (highly detrimental in many cases), the restoration of this site is an incredible success story in my opinion. Shawneen Finnegan and I were granted access to this site during the recent Brownsville CBC (courtesy of Jarod Jabousek) and we found no fewer than 40 Northern Harriers and five Short-eared Owls were roosting in the deep grass to the east of the ponds. This harrier roost may be the largest of its kind in the southern Willamette Valley. Over recent years, the Brownsville CBC has consistently missed Short-eared Owl as more and more of the count circle becomes denuded of grass longer than six inches and any kind of hedgerow.
There is no easy solution to balancing the varied use demands on both private and public lands. As a birder, I would love to be able wander wherever I please, but that is both unrealistic and probably would not be the best option for the birds themselves. It is surely an issue that makes nerves raw, hence all the back and forth between competing points of view on OBOL and elsewhere. I would offer that as a nation we are fortunate to be far less restricted in our wanderings than folks are in most other countries.