GOOD! ________________________________________ From: Ohio birds [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of marys1000 [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2014 5:47 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Ohio-birds] Response to Great Horned Owl nest debate I agree with aspects of some responses and disagree with others. Humans are social animals and our behavior is dictated by social norms and (hopefully) wanting to stay within those norms to remain part of the social fabric. This is really so important to be able to live together without things getting nuts. Social norms are communicated by the community writ large in a variety of ways and one way would be to have everyone that disagrees with this behavior to let the person know, non confrontationally, educationally but still firmly and no quibbling. If only one or two people participate that tipping point of what is and isn't acceptable behavior is not reached. So I think its important for responsible people, regardless of their hobby type, to fill people in. (Be careful and don't get yourself hurt) Some people have said to call the DNR, that it is their job to take care of this. It is not illegal to harrass wildlife in this manner. I sent an email to the DNR website once about this sort of thing (snowy owls? I can't remember) and that was the response I got. But technically that person is not breaking a law. Likely a DNR officer would be viewed as a legal authority and someone who is otherwise ignoring people's request to move back would probably be more likely to obey which is great. But DNR officers do have criminal activity to monitor and this may not rise to the top as a priority. Now the on site 'ranger' someone mentioned may have a different job description and come running IDK. Even a volunteer with an official looking shirt and hat would be more likely to be obeyed In old timey days there weren't cops to call about everything little thing. Those social norms were enforced by everyone. With the drive to less taxes and less govt intrusion I don't see cops as becoming more plentiful. While it may be true that "most" people aren't harrasing wildlife I hardly see that as an argument to stand by and watch the few that do. I also am not sure about photography promoting conservation thing. Is there any kind of data to support it? Everyone seems to assume there is, that birders and photographers will want to protect places where they can participate in their hobby but I don't think the link is that direct and I suspect that there is a broad spectrum of actual care for wildlife and the environment vs. more self centered drives among photographers, birders, hikers etc. etc. Hunters and sport fishers support conservation through licenses which is great because everyone has to participate to play. If they didn't have to do that I wonder how much promoting conservation would happen. What does promoting conservation even mean? I think it means driving less and that includes to bird. Not buying a house in a new sub development that took out yet more habitat, and more unpopular things. I do think continuing to strive to find a way to get birders and nature photographers having to buy a license to be in NWR's is important. Duck stamps and Wild Ohio stickers are great and help but they don't carry the same political weight. Someone said maybe more emphasis on education vs. birding as a social event would help and I would agree, but I would add put the word conservation in there as well. I would also like to see clear and specific laws about harassing wildlife on the books with fines attached. Marie, Fairborn ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]