10,000 Birds

APRIL 23, 2014

As has often been said in these quarters, in general us bird bloggers don’t have many quarrels with hunters. Birders and hunters usually share the same conservation goals and sometimes work together to advance them. Most hunters follow them, but there are always a few bad apples. Note, I said responsible hunting practices.

Pakistan 245

Pakistan Hunters Hunting India 245

Critter News

MARCH 23, 2009

I have no sympathy for trophy hunters. Perhaps there are female trophy hunters out there too, but I suspect they are in the minority. Therefore, to me it's a slam dunk as to whether trophy hunters should continue to hunt polar bears. They are not hunting for food or for any subsistence whatsoever.

Polar Bears 100

Polar Bears Hunters Bears Endangered Species 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Will the slaughter never end?

Hunters 169

Hunters Protection Slaughtered Slaughter 169

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2014

Seriously, hunters. (Or, Or, rather, jerks who give the vast majority of ethical hunters a bad name.) (The pair shot last year in Kentucky belonged to Operation Migration’s project establishing a migratory flock in the eastern United States; there is also the last true wild flock , which winters in Texas and summers in Canada.)

Louisiana 274

Louisiana Kentucky Hunters United States 274

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Proposal: Creation of a Federal Wildlife Conservation Stamp A birder, wildlife watcher, photographer and non-hunter version of the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (aka Federal Duck Stamp). She says, “there’s just a cultural bias against anything related to hunting.”

Wildlife 240

Wildlife Hunters Ducks Hunting 240

10,000 Birds

MAY 22, 2013

million hunters. This means that only 11% of hunters buy the Duck Stamp raising approximately $25 million a year. With the trend of increasing numbers of wildlife enthusiasts and decreasing numbers of hunters , the National Wildlife Refuge System needs the support of more non-hunters. million wildlife watchers in the U.S.,

Ducks 237

Ducks Wildlife Hunters Hunting 237

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

This has benefited both the waterfowl hunters and everyone else who likes ducks and their kin. Eventually, the pigeons, as it were, may come home to roost and the waterfowl and other wildlife, as well as hunters and bird watchers, will be sitting ducks.

Ducks 256

Ducks Hunters Hunting Wildlife 256

10,000 Birds

JULY 17, 2013

In 1976, Congress changed the official name to the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp , presumably to broaden its appeal to non-hunters. Why promote the stamp to waterfowl hunters when it is mandatory that they buy one to hunt waterfowl? clean water) benefit from the contributions of hunters and anglers.”

Ducks 262

Ducks Wildlife Hunters Hunting 262

10,000 Birds

JULY 17, 2011

All eight hunters on the commission think it’s a good idea to shoot cranes in Kentucky. Why allow hunters to shoot right into the middle of them? As you’ll remember, Kentucky’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources unanimously passed its sandhill crane hunting proposal. The proposal now goes to the U.S.

Kentucky 260

Kentucky Hunters Protest Protesting 260

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Ingrid Taylar at The Free Quark is in the middle of an astute inquiry into the issue of non-hunters and the NWR system as well as potential alternatives to the status quo.

Hunting 231

Hunting Hunters United States Ducks 231

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2011

Bald Eagles will provide a sporting challenge for hunters. Hunters don’t even need to use decoys. However they are wary and have famously sharp eyes, so bagging eagles will be a true sporting challenge for hunters. We need to give hunters new opportunities and new species to hunt.

Bald Eagle 264

Bald Eagle Eagles Hunting Kentucky 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

economy than either hunters or anglers: 2011 Fishing Expenditures: $41.8 Clearly, wildlife watchers as a block contribute more to the national economy than either hunters or anglers. Wildlife watchers in the United States spend a lot more money in a year on their collective activities than either hunters or anglers.

Hunters 262

Hunters 2006 Ducks Wildlife 262

Critter News

MARCH 16, 2009

Native and sport polar bear hunters may be facing more restrictions due to increasing threats to bear populations. A limit on the hunting of polar bears by sportsmen and native Arctic people will top the agenda at an international summit in Norway tomorrow, seen as vital to the survival of the predator.

Polar Bears 100

Polar Bears Bears Hunters Norway 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 21, 2011

Hunters frequently refer to them as “Rib-eye in the Sky” due to the excellent taste. ” Rather, he said it was entirely about giving hunters the chance to hunt cranes. Commissioner Gassett, can it really be worth the rancor of thousands of Kentucky’s wildlife watchers to grant 400 hunters the opportunity to shoot them?

Kentucky 259

Kentucky Hunting Tennessee Indiana 259

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2011

Hey, hunters! I don’t care how many duck stamps you buy, if you are still hunting with lead you are not a conservationist. End of story.

Killing 213

Killing Hunters Hunting Ducks 213

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

Hunters go to Africa to shoot lions, and this is without question a good thing; for birds, for ecosystems, and for lions in general! I guess the natural question is… how does some hunter from the US help in the conservation of the lion? Hunters are prepared to spend a lot of money for the privilege of shooting a lion.

Lions 242

Lions Killing Hunting Hunters 242

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2011

Flooding related to Tropical Storm Lee severely damaged the two farms used for raising Ring-necked Pheasants in Pennsylvania earlier this year, limiting the number of birds that will be released for slaughter by hunters (and slaughter is exactly what shooting farm-raised birds is). Never fear, hunters !

Slaughtered 185

Slaughtered Slaughter Hunters Pennsylvania 185

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2020

Along the track, the shimmering scarlet gorget of a Hunter’s Sunbird shone like a beacon. Hunter’s Sunbird. Although we thought about getting closer, our guide urged us in the opposite direction with a knowing smile. Unfortunately, it flew off before we could advance much further. Dark Chanting Goshawk.

Kenya 264

Kenya Owls Ostriches Hunters 264

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Sarus Cranes were extirpated in Thailand about 50 years ago due to the triple threat of farmers, hunters, and pesticides. But the International Crane Foundation—with the support of some Thai farmers—is slowly but steadily making headway toward restoring the crane in the wild. But now, it’s farmers who are helping to save the day.

Thailand 252

Thailand Asia Hunters Species 252

10,000 Birds

MAY 21, 2014

They don’t take into account the valid concerns non-hunters have about buying the stamp, which fall into two main areas: 1. Many wildlife watchers, birders and photographers don’t want to support a stamp that is so intimately and historically associated with hunting. Is it just me, or does this make no sense?

Ducks 263

Ducks Wildlife Hunting Hunters 263

10,000 Birds

JUNE 15, 2011

Which wasn’t a surprise, since everyone on the commission is a hunter. Brokering land to hunters, hooking them up with guide services…all for a fee. For those of you who’ve been following the drama unfolding in Kentucky regarding a sandhill crane hunt, there’s bad news.

Hunting 223

Hunting Kentucky Broker Protest 223

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2019

They may have been disturbed by the presence of hunters in the Danube backwaters. When I reached the levee earlier that morning, I met an elderly hunter from whom I learned that there was an ongoing duck and pheasant hunt, but no one was shooting from, nor towards the embankment, hence I should be safe there.

Serbia 246

Serbia Otters Boars Hunters 246

10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2011

For the first time since 1918 hunters will be able to hunt Mourning Doves in Iowa – but with one big caveat. Lead ammunition will not be allowed.

Iowa 202

Iowa Hunting Hunters 202

10,000 Birds

APRIL 29, 2015

Nyala are much appreciated by hunters and tourists, which has led to their being introduced to many parks and reserves around Southern Africa outside their natural range. Like many of its close relatives the males and females are different in appearance, with the females looking most like their relatives. A female Nyala in Imfolozi.

Africa 225

Africa Wolves Goats Sheep 225

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

In Cyprus it also means that the hunters and trappers are active again. There are also hunters in Cyprus, which are an entirely different situation. Summer is ending, and that means the birds are migrating again. It starts with the trappers, who’ve been at it for weeks now. The trapping is particularly bad in the Cape Pyla area.

Cyprus 207

Cyprus Killing 2011 Hunters 207

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2012

As I’ve posted before they are efficient and merciless hunters. Males can get into a dance battle if territories are threatened. This strutting display was a delightful surprise to see. They are aided by excellent binocular vision that lines up with their dagger-like bill.

San Francisco 255

San Francisco Gophers Reptiles Hunters 255

10,000 Birds

JUNE 30, 2013

Of all the dollars spent bagging ducks, a piece of the pie goes to the federal duck stamp program , which just went on sale; anyone over the age of 16 who wants to hunt migratory ducks needs to buy the stamp annually, and the funds raised go toward conservation and preserving and improving habitat for ducks and hunters alike.

Wildlife 239

Wildlife Jordan Ducks United States 239

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2013

Short-eared Owls are crepuscular hunters so if you want to see them you need to try either very early or very late in the day. Choosing early turned out to be a good decision. Pre-dawn lightening. Crescent moon and ghostly wings.

Owls 199

Owls Hunters New York 199

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2011

The Philippine Eagle , which has a population that numbers less then 500 birds in the wild, is still being targeted by trappers and hunters. The Independent has the story.

Philippines 178

Philippines Eagles Hunters Birds 178

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2012

One eyed birds often get put down or aren’t released but they can survive and can be fierce hunters, like this big female Redtail. Red-tailed Hawks eat worms. This one gets up early and finds them on the wet sidewalk. Redtail as Turkey Vulture ? They like to sun too. Fledglings have enough free time to try and smell the flowers.

Rats 255

Rats Hunters Turkey Hunting 255

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2012

Just shoot ‘em all , right responsible hunters? First person to mention duck stamps in the comments wins a prize.

Hunters 169

Hunters Ducks Rights 169

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2011

Whatever it was it was killed by hunters in Nigeria, it had the following inscription, I assume on one or both of the rings: “9287963- Reseng Meseuom.hom @ Sweden,” and it made the internet.

Nigeria 178

Nigeria Sweden Hunters Killing 178

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

The myths that hunters and anglers pay for the majority of our wildlife conservation (debunked in my post on The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and Who Pays for It ) and the misconception that “predator management” is a necessary part of the wildlife conservation equation. What myths am I referring to?

Wildlife 167

Wildlife Extremist Hunters Legislation 167

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

The Green-winged Teal ( Anas crecca carolinensis ) is North America’s smallest dabbling duck and taken by hunters second only to the Mallard. Click on photos for full sized images. Luckily for them, even though they nest on the ground, they usually breed far from human habitation, under heavy vegetative cover.

Ducks 224

Ducks North America Hunters California 224

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 21, 2011

Except that, yeah, I know that not all hunters are like this… a. Presented without further comment.

Hunters 157

Hunters Ducks Rights 157

10,000 Birds

JUNE 15, 2011

They are daring divers, powerful underwater swimmers, and cooperative hunters. Basically, lady boobies love knocking the brightest blue boots. Courtship looks something like this… Blue-footed Boobies subsist on an entirely piscine diet.

Ecuador 243

Ecuador Peru Hunters Pelicans 243

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Contentious issues like parrot ownership, the role of hunters in conservation, and the romaniticization of bygone eras of egg and nest collecting are passed over with nary an acknowledgement that they are controversial.

Science 233

Science Collecting Hunters Parrots 233