Utah birdwatchers are trying to close a popular public space to hunting because they're mad that hunters scared off a rare (for that area) duck. Seriously. But of course they're framing it as a "safety" issue.
A harlequin duck, a species rarely seen in Utah, visited Antelope
Island's causeway in September. Two weeks after it first arrived, a few more
showed up to keep her company, including a male. However, the day after
Thanksgiving, the ducks were gone. Local birders, a nickname for birdwatchers,
are upset about how the ducks were easily hunted from the causeway. The birders
want to change the law allowing duck hunters to fire their guns in such a
popular tourist area.
"The Utah birdwatching community now wants to protect this birding
gem from hunting," said Robert Mortensen, 34, of Bountiful. "We are not opposed
to hunting generally, but there are specific areas that are worth protecting by
implementing hunting restrictions." Mortensen said this is not a case of birders
versus hunters, but a situation in which the birders do not want hunting in such
a public area. The causeway hosts loads of runners, cyclists and international
visitors, Mortensen said, making the area a dangerous place for shooting anyway.
Mortensen said the ducks were spotted the morning of Nov. 25, a day when several
birders and hunters were roaming the causeway. Birders who were there that day
believe a hunter shot at the rare ducks.
Has anyone ever been accidentally shot by a duck hunter in that area? If not,
I'd say it had less to do with safety and more to do with wanting to lock
hunters out of a traditional public hunting spot. Thoughts?
Island's causeway in September. Two weeks after it first arrived, a few more
showed up to keep her company, including a male. However, the day after
Thanksgiving, the ducks were gone. Local birders, a nickname for birdwatchers,
are upset about how the ducks were easily hunted from the causeway. The birders
want to change the law allowing duck hunters to fire their guns in such a
popular tourist area.
"The Utah birdwatching community now wants to protect this birding
gem from hunting," said Robert Mortensen, 34, of Bountiful. "We are not opposed
to hunting generally, but there are specific areas that are worth protecting by
implementing hunting restrictions." Mortensen said this is not a case of birders
versus hunters, but a situation in which the birders do not want hunting in such
a public area. The causeway hosts loads of runners, cyclists and international
visitors, Mortensen said, making the area a dangerous place for shooting anyway.
Mortensen said the ducks were spotted the morning of Nov. 25, a day when several
birders and hunters were roaming the causeway. Birders who were there that day
believe a hunter shot at the rare ducks.
Has anyone ever been accidentally shot by a duck hunter in that area? If not,
I'd say it had less to do with safety and more to do with wanting to lock
hunters out of a traditional public hunting spot. Thoughts?
