by Lindzey Beal
I am responding to a recent article written by lobbyist, Mike Covey, and his unmistakable intolerance toward wildlife advocacy groups and its members. I felt compelled to correct misleading statements that misrepresented the values and goals of wildlife advocates. It’s okay to disagree, but the continued misinformation that I see from this particular lobbyist needs to be addressed.
First and foremost, wildlife advocates in Vermont, such as Protect Our Wildlife and Vermont Wildlife Coalition are not “anti-hunting activists”— I can tell you this because I’ve been a longtime supporter. For instance, they’ve made clear that they don’t oppose hunting for food with respect for the life taken. Wildlife advocates speak out against dangerous, inhumane, and environmentally unsound activities that Vermont Fish & Wildlife politically endorses despite the fact that these practices contradict their own science. The wildlife advocacy community has been very clear about which practices they oppose: trapping, bear and coyote hounding and the open killing season on coyotes.
It’s well documented that trapping inflicts unimaginable pain and prolonged suffering on trapped animals. Recently, a man in Addison County saw an injured coyote on his trail camera dragging a leghold trap from its paw. That animal will die a long and painful death, all due to a trapper’s intolerance and hatred toward predator species. Non-targeted animals, such as owls and even bears are trapped in these torturous devices. In recent years, several household pets have been badly injured or killed due to unmarked baited traps set in locations that include walking trails, shallow streams and popular wooded areas. Black bears are terrorized for miles by packs of frenzied hounds, all while their handlers sit in a truck far away with no control over their whereabouts. These hounds cross over into private property, have harmed people and their animals and, of course, place bears and their cubs in danger. Coyote hunting is allowed 365 days of the year including at night and over bait piles. Coyotes never get a break from the relentless killing—pups are orphaned every year when their parents are killed.
What’s even worse is that these practices aren’t even grounded in sound science. These are recreational activities that a subset of Vermont “sportsmen” enjoy. When we hear people like Mr. Covey talk about supporting science, I find it ironic because when the scientists at Conte Wildlife Refuge in Vermont recently shortened the bear hound training season out of concern for ground nesting birds, Covey fought it. When peer reviewed science revealed that killing coyotes does not manage their populations, Covey chose not to believe it. It’s well known that lead ammunition for hunting is poisoning protected species like birds of prey, but Covey doesn’t believe that either.
Another priority for wildlife advocates is to make wildlife decisions a democratic process. Covey feels that only hunters and trappers should have power when it comes to forming rules and regulations. The fish and wildlife board is composed solely of hunters and trappers and anyone outside of this group has no voice when it comes to decision making. In what other area of government is a lack of diversity and inclusion acceptable? I’ve attended Fish and Wildlife Board meetings and the intolerance toward wildlife advocates was very clear.
It’s pretty simple what wildlife advocates want from VT Fish & Wildlife: follow the science; address unethical and exceptionally cruel methods of killing wildlife; treat wildlife advocates as part of the community, not as villains. We aren’t going away. We are only growing stronger.