Here we go again...
Personal thoughts
By JIM SLINSKY

No matter how much things appear to change, they sometimes remain the same. I am humorously referring to AO2612 sponsored by State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick of the 66th District (the west side of Manhattan). Her legislative foray into the imaginary is to once again claim "canned hunts" in NY must be banned. We saw this play in 2003 with the final act a veto by former Governor Pataki. The Governor realized the legislation was disingenuous.

Canned hunts have been outlawed in NY for the past ten years. I cannot think of one incident in which someone participated in, purchased or sold a so-called canned hunt to anyone. Not one. In reality, NY legislators are passing legislation to ban an activity that isn't even available or practiced. Interesting.

The truth is NY has a burgeoning, multi-million dollar alternative farming industry that has a shooting ranch component that actually benefits the rural economy of NY and the preservation of open space. Shooting ranches serve many beneficial purposes of which food for the table is one of them. Furthermore, put yourself in the position of a rural landowner. If your product from your land was deer or elk or pheasants, would you sit quietly while others infringed upon your right to generate income from your land? For certain there will be lawsuits from across the state challenging the constitutionality of the state dictating what animals can be raised on private property and how private land can be utilized. Is alternative farming really any different from raising beef, pork or chicken? The end result is an animal dies and meat is transferred to the table.

The reality is AO2612 is yet another attempt to ban legitimate shooting ranches by playing on the emotions of the public claiming a fenced area precludes an animal from escaping a hunter. If you have been reading the national outdoor magazines lately, you should be aware large portions of Africa are now fenced. Recently, the Safari Club International (SCI) announced game animals taken behind fences in Africa will be recognized for the record books. Fences no longer eliminate the element of fair chase, according to SCI.

The intent of AO2612 by Assemblywoman Glick is not ambiguous nor is its' wording. This bill specifically prohibits animals from being "trapped by fences so they can easily be cornered and prevented from escaping". One can only assume Ms. Glick never hunted deer or elk and tried to corner any animal against any structure. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the sale of animals from game farms to canned hunting facilities, which we already discussed, do not exist in NY.

The intellectually bankrupt part of this legislation is the repeated use of the words "canned hunts" when referring to shooting ranches. Throughout the bill Ms. Glick attempts to use these words interchangeably, as if all shooting ranches are canned hunt facilities. Her views and this legislation are not based on accurate and truthful circumstances as they exist in NY.

The economic impact of the shooting ranch/game farming industries can only be described as a waking giant. The industry trends are impressive. From 2003 through 2007 total investment included $86.7 million in land, $57.1 million on buildings, $10.8 million on animal stock, $6.2 million on fencing and $6.0 million on equipment. This activity is critical for the rural economy of NY.

It is disappointing to visit this issue again as if something has changed over the past five years. It is unfortunate legitimate businesspeople must use their hard earned money to fight transparent anti-hunting legislation that is froth with emotion and not facts. My suggestion to the industry is to abandon the defensive and go on the offensive. It is time to request the legislators to put forth common sense legislation under a legislative umbrella called the "Shooting Ranch and Game Farm Preservation Act". It is time for legislators to recognize both of these industries as legitimate and beneficial to the rural economy of NY. These industries have grown because people are demanding their goods and services.

Failing to do so only invites the anti-hunting crowd to schedule another rerun. It is extremely difficult to repeatedly revisit this issue riddled with spin, emotion and misinformation. I like writing about our contemporary issues, but I don't care if I ever write another rendition of "Here We Go Again".

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Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the "Outdoor Talk Network", a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his w www.outdoortalknetwork.com