I noticed you didn't mention the new Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp . Russell
Lima, Ohio
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Whan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 12:19 PM
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Whither conservation dollars for birds?


> It's no big news to readers of this list, but today's New York Times
> (pg. D7) runs an article from the AP, "As Hunting Declines, Conservation
> Efforts Suffer." It makes the point that fading interest in hunting is
> resulting in fewer dollars going to conservation efforts. It also
> laments the loss of income for the sporting industry. The article is
> about Wisconsin's situation, but applies just as much here.
>        Regrettably, the article assumes only one thing can reverse this
> loss
> of conservation dollars: reviving hunting, thus selling more hunting
> licenses, duck stamps, ammunition, traps, etc. This is nonsense, of
> course. There are plenty of other ways to direct more dollars to
> conservation---donations to private organizations, levies for state and
> local park systems, etc., and taxes. Red states like Missouri and
> Arkansas for years have levied state sales taxes dedicated to the
> acquisition and care of wild lands for wildlife, including but not
> limited to species legal to hunt. The Missouri sales tax, first of all
> its kind, and regularly renewed by a good majority of voters, is the
> envy of other states, as are their conservation programs and
> publications. Minnesota voters passed a similar law in 2008, and in the
> last election Iowa voters easily passed a law to make 3/8 of 1% of the
> next tax increase to go to conservation projects. Thus, Iowa residents
> who spend $50,000 a year for taxable goods and services will pay about
> $180 for conservation. Multiply that by millions of people and there's
> some serious money for the outdoors. This is the modern efficient way to
> accomplish these aims, not burdening (or serving) only hunters and
> trappers, or asking birders to pretend to be hunters by buying a duck
> stamp. If you want significant public money to go to birds other than
> game species or raptors, this is the way to go.
> Wear the orange,
> Bill Whan
> Columbus
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