h********d 发帖数: 364 | 1 http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_16502130
A century ago, when more families relied on hunting to put meat on the
dinner table, it was a bold idea: set aside large swaths of land where
killing animals was banned, so that deer and other wildlife could multiply
and repopulate.
Now, however, the California Department of Fish and Game says those refuges
are a dismal failure, and it's quietly studying a plan that could end the
hunting restrictions in 19 refuges across the state.
The refuges cover nearly 1 million acres in 16 counties -- including
sections of Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County, Mount Tamalpais in Marin
County and parts of the Peninsula in San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
Animal activists and conservationists are fighting the proposal, saying the
department hasn't adequately notified the public of the potential change.
Fish and Game officials, some contend, are hoping to end protections for
deer, bears, turkeys, doves and other wild animals in an attempt to increase
the dwindling numbers of hunters, and pump up hunting fee revenues.
"Wouldn't it be nice to hang onto the places in California where wild
animals can go about their business without being shot?" said Eric Mills,
coordinator of the Oakland-based group Animals for Action. "I think Fish and
Game is out to improve access to hunters because it wants all the fishing
and hunting license income that it can get to rescue their struggling budget
."
Fish and Game officials say the proposal to eliminate |
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