5/1/97
Alec Baldwin Slams Clarkstown's Plan to Kill Geese

At a press conference held on April 29th at the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center in Rockland County, NY, Alec Baldwin and a panel of distinguished speakers spoke out against Clarkstown's plans to repeat last June's round-up and slaughter of hundreds of Canada geese (The complete story is available here.)

In addition to Baldwin, the panel of speakers included Roger Caras, President, ASPCA; Thom Kleiner, Town Supervisor of Orangetown (the town adjacent to Clarkstown); Margaret Hays-Young, Conservation Chair, NYC Sierra Club; Mary Brosnahan, Executive Director, Coalition for the Homeless; William Heinz, Hampshire Country Club and his border collie, May; Marc Berkowitz, "Mengele's messenger" (a victim of infamous nazi-"doctor" Joseph Mengele); The Hon. Felicia Deyrup, Ph.D., Mayor of Upper Nyack (a village in Clarkstown); Mark Lerman, DVM (a local veterinarian who treats area wildlife and has never turned away wildlife in need); and Gregg B. Feigelson, Ph.D., Chair, Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of Canada Geese.

The event was attended by close to 400 concerned citizens, with a tremendous showing by the press - radio and newspaper reporters and all major television affiliates from New York City. The event made headlines in the Rockland Journal-News ("Actor blasts Clarkstown Leader's plan to kill geese"), was covered by all local (NYC) television news programs and was the hot topic of discussion the following day on Rockland's radio station WRKL.

Maggie Moore, talk show host on WRKL, attended the event and described it as "superbly put together and outrageously well-organized." She expressed disappointment over the fact that the media completely ignored the contributions of the panelists, who, in her opinion, reflected well on those pushing for a more rational approach to handling the goose controversy. She praised the speakers for their succinctness, sensitivity and for focusing on the bigger picture -- the implications of resolving conflicts using violence and the resulting desensitizing effect it has on children.

At one dramatic point, Alec Baldwin dared Town Supervisor Holbrook to take a gun, go to a park, and "blast away at some geese himself in front of both his own children and the town's children."

Goose News Index | Main

The Coalition is pleased to announce that movie star Alec Baldwin will be coming to Rockland County, NY to speak out against the Clarkstown supervisor's plan to round up and slaughter hundreds of Canada geese again this year. The complete story is available here! Mr. Baldwin and other speakers will be demanding that the town's top official use non-lethal methods of goose control to address people's complaints.

This exciting event is open to the public and
will take place on Tuesday, April 29th at 2:45 PM at the
Helen Hayes Theatre for the Performing Arts
1 Main Street, Nyack, NY

Directions: From NYC: Take the George Washington Bridge (upper level) to the Palisades Parkway to Exit 8E to Route 59 East which becomes Main Street. From Westchester: Take the Tappan Zee Bridge to Exit 11 to the stop sign, go straight to the light at 9W make a right go to next light and make left onto Main St. From upstate NY (or NJ via 287): Take the NYS Thruway to Exit 11, make a left onto 59 (becomes Main Street).
Further information can be obtained by phone at (914) 425-7116.

Goose News Index | Main

The Wisconsin Canada Goose may not know it, but they are safer tonight. The DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Urban Waterfowl Task Force failed to muster the 2/3 majority to approve the round up and slaughter of Canada Geese under the auspices of USDA APHIS/Animal Damage Control and the Wisconsin DNR. The Task Force also failed to muster the votes to recommend hunting as a measure to kill Canada Geese. The vote would not affect the regular hunting seasons, but would not take the step of encouraging hunting on golf courses and urban areas.

Circulated at the DNR Urban Waterfowl Task Force was a letter from the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of Canada Geese in New York. The Canada Goose Task Force there had recommended only non lethal measures, except that they did include the possibility of egg addling. The NY State DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) and the town of Clarkstown proceeded to kill the geese anyway over the task force's recommendation. There has evolved out of this killing a popular protest against the town supervisor and the DEC. The town had also sought to send the goose bodies out to the food banks, but the NY State Health Department found lead in the tissue and ordered the goose bodies sent to the land fill.

Last night's action by the DNR Urban Waterfowl Task Force did include numerous recommendations that neighborhoods can take to help discourage the geese from nesting in an area including some modification of the landscape so that the area won't be attractive to geese, detractors such as plastic alligators in a pond, "Scaryballs" (plastic eyes that frighten geese away), and chemical repellents.

A manual will be drawn up to assist the public in knowing how to use these measures.

Goose News Index | Main

In the summer of 1996, despite massive public opposition, the Town of Clarkstown, Rockland County, NY, paid a contractor to round up 251 Canada geese (including 5 goslings) from three public parks and deliver them to a slaughterhouse to be killed. This drastic action was carried out despite the fact that none of the assertions used to justify the mass killings could be substantiated. The geese were alleged to be "overpopulating", posing a health threat to the public, and compromising water quality. No scientific evidence to support these claims ever materialized (although evidence against the allegations continues to pile up). The event is now recognized to have been about a handful of whiny cranks who felt the geese were an inconvenience, and a simpleton town supervisor who, in going along with the hysteria, took the liberty of burning up more than $10,000 taxpayer dollars to sponsor a bloodbath. As predicted, the plan failed. Within weeks, the parks were repopulated with other geese. Thus, the foolishness of the deadly plan and those who recommended it was proven, although too late for the innocent victims.

Before the round up, the town was aggressively encouraged to implement well established, effective non-lethal forms of control. The town fought all efforts by the Coalition and others seeking to put these humane methods into action. Private citizens even offered to pay for rational non-lethal solutions out of their own pockets. Their generosity and compassion was greeted with pure arrogance.

In the early stages of the controversy, a concerned county legislator helped organize a Citizens' Task Force on Canada Geese. The committee was to research the issue and evaluate non-lethal ways to address the concerns of those complaining about geese. However, before so much as one finding had been made, it became obvious that the committee members who were known advocates of goose killing had made up their minds. They had no intention of devoting the slightest effort to avert a massacre: They couldn't care less about the lives of the geese.

The committee plowed ahead and compiled its findings in a report which proved to be one of the most comprehensive works on non-lethal methods of goose dissuasion anywhere. The report recommended that these methods be used to reduce or eliminate conflicts with geese in Rockland County.

The report was in the possession of Clarkstown officials before the goose extermination began - its sound findings were willfully ignored.

The report was so well done that it won an award from the New York Association of Environmental Management Councils. Suspiciously, efforts to reproduce and distribute the report have been temporarily stalled. A Coalition investigation has determined that at least one member of the Town of Clarkstown supervisor's staff has been working behind the scenes to suppress circulation of the report. The town apparently doesn't want the world to know that the ruthless crime against nature they committed was completely unnecessary.

Sorry Clarkstown, the cat is out of the bag.

The Coalition is pleased to present the report
...............just for the clicking.

Non-Lethal Controls for "Resident" Canada Geese

Presented by the Executive Committee
of the
Canada Geese Citizens Advisory Committee

Part 1 | Part 2

[Note: Printing this report - While the original report page numbers are included for reference, they will not correspond to actual pages when printed. In addition, the report includes 8 "Attachments" which are not included here. The Coalition will be happy to provide copies of select or complete sets of these materials upon request.]

Back to Goose News | Back to the Clarkstown Story
Main

Thanks to intervention by the Coalition, the Fort Gordon U.S. Army Base in Georgia has cancelled its plans to allow hunters onto its golf course to kill geese. Upon learning of this plan, the Coalition immediately contacted the army base adminstrators and explained that hunting was not going to resolve the conflict in question. We provided them with a list of non-lethal methods that have worked wonderfully on golf courses. In turn, they called off the hunt and are now considering non-lethal alternatives. While we will continue to monitor this situation, we praise the Garrison Commander for avoiding unnecessary bloodshed.

Goose News Index | Main

HUNT SALLY'S POND AND DIE -- OF BOREDOM!

CANADA GOOSE PROTECTORS: 13
CANADA GOOSE KILLERS: 2
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS: 10
CANADA GEESE: 0

The Canada goose hunt, scheduled to take place Saturday at daybreak at Sally's Pond in Ringwood, NJ, was on as usual, bringing out citizens who came to protect them: hunters who came to kill them, and law enforcement officers who came to keep the two sides apart. The object of all the attention, however, had perhaps flown south for a balmier climate.

"Either they remember the hunters or they remember us," quipped one of the pro-goosers. Canada goose protectors had in the past blasted sirens upon seeing flocks of Canada geese heading for the pond. The sound, which acted as a deterrent, resulted in large flocks turning back in mid-air, no doubt frustrating hunters, but saving geese.

"The park is closed to the general public for five or six hours a day during the duration of the hunt which is a month long. That means that general taxpayers are deprived of the park for which they pay 40% of the time so that less than 1/10th of one percent of the population can come here to kill wildlife that belongs to all the people," said a member of one of the sponsoring organizations."

Thirteen citizens came from every part of New Jersey and New York. Ann DuHaime, Mayor of Bloomingdale, NJ came at 6 a.m. to give the demonstrators her support. Sister Frances Clare of the St. Francis of Assisi Convent across from the park gave demonstrators permission to use the convent grounds for parking and restroom use, as all tax-paying citizens were blocked from entering the park grounds until after the hunt hours. Demonstrators consisted of a scientist, lawyer, computer professor, retired librarian, business president, wildlife rehabilitator, and people from all walks of life. They said they dressed in layers of clothing to brave sub-zero weather from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. in order to keep the birds from flying onto the pond where they surely would have been killed. The demonstration was sponsored by the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of Canada Geese, Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting, and New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance.

Goose protectors, using their megaphone, offered hunters free beer to leave the hunt area. Only one law enforcement officer tried to take them up on their offer.

The group was there to tell passers-by that state and federal wildlife management agencies are in the hunting business, deriving their income from the sale of firearms and ammunition, bows and arrows, and duck stamps which they use to create more hunting opportunity. "Wildlife managers are in the weapons business," said Peter Muller, a demonstrator.

Although park personnel knew that hunters had left the pond early, they did not tell the concerned citizens until after the hunt officially ended at 10 a.m.

So, how did it all turn out? 13 happy activists who saw no geese killed; 10 happy law enforcement officers who were paid overtime; 2 frustrated hunters; and 0 dead geese. In fact, 0 geese. "There is something terribly wrong when the public is told that there are too many geese and there wasn't one in sight. The truth is that the migrant population is crashing; 'residents' migrate; and wildlife management agents play every conceivable angle to collect maximum revenue. They are mismanaging our wildlife for hunting. Hunters know it, we know it, and we hope the public will soon know it."

Goose News Index | Main

[The following is the text from an Illinois Department of Natural Resources announcement for a fund-raising celebrity goose killing. The Coalition has learned that most of the so-called celebrities are actually from hunting circles. Two of the participants are Danny Cox and Ron Sheer. They have a hunting program on TNN called "Prairie Sportsman". Others participants include: Baseball's Whitey Herzog and Mark Clark; olympic champion, Craig Virgin (2x cross country champion); and two players from the St. Louis Rams. Note the event is sponsored by a weapons manufacturer. They have billions of dollars to gain from the perpetuation of recreational wildlife killing. Don't forget that excise taxes on their products go to the federal government to be distributed to state "game" agencies which compete for this money: Those that sell the most hunting licenses get a bigger portion of the total.]

From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

Picture This - It's a cool crisp January morning and you're in a goose pit in southern Illinois. You're sipping coffee, knowing there are a half million Canada geese within a short flight of your pit. On your left is one of the 25 best goose callers in North America. On your right is a big time sports or entertainment celebrity. Also, in your pit is a local caller who seems to know the geese by their first names.

No, you're not dreaming. You're participating in the very first REMINGTON INTERNATIONAL GOOSE CALLING INVITATIONAL AND CELEBRITY HUNT.

You are cordially invited to join hands with Remington Arms Company, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Conservation Foundation and the Remington International Executive Committee in supporting and celebrating goose hunting in southern Illinois.

There are three ways you can participate:

* DONOR
* HUNTER
* CORPORATE SPONSOR

We have enclosed one of our brochures and a complete breakdown of costs and benefits of your participation, and it's tax deductible as allowed by law (the Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation). (Note: The amount of the payment that is deductible as a charitable contribution is limited to the excess of the amount of any money contributed over the value of goods or services furnished in return by the organization.)

If goose hunting is your passion and you'd like the opportunity to hunt with the best callers in the world, plan to join us Jan. 3-5, 1997 in Marion, Illinois. For additional information, please call Ron Allen at 217/785-9371.

We need and appreciate your support!

Brent Manning, Director
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

DONOR BENEFITS ($500)

*Two invitations to Friday night's pairing party
*Two invitations to Saturday's reception
*Two admissions to Calling Contest with special seating
* Special acknowledgment in our Commemorative Program
* A "business card" size ad in our Commemorative Program

HUNTER BENEFITS ($1,000)

* One spot in the Celebrity Hunt on Saturday & Sunday
* One room at the Holiday Inn on Friday & Saturday nights
* Two invitations to Friday night's pairing party
* Two invitations to Saturday's reception
* Two invitations to Calling Contest with special seating
* Two breakfasts on Saturday morning
* Two breakfasts on Sunday morning
* One "special gift"
* Special acknowledgment in Commemorative Program
* Special tours for spouse/guest on Saturday & Sunday
* All transportation furnished after arrival in Marion

CORPORATE SPONSOR BENEFITS ($3,000)

* Two hunters in the Celebrity Hunt on Saturday & Sunday
* Two rooms at the Holiday Inn on Friday & Saturday nights
* Four invitations to Friday night's pairing party
* Four invitations to Saturday's reception
* Four invitations to Calling Contest with specialseating
* Four breakfasts on Saturdaymorning
* Four breakfasts on Sunday morning
* Two "special gifts"
* Full page advertisement in our Commemorative Program
* Special acknowledgment in our Commemorative Program
* Limited display of company banners and/or products throughout the event
* Special tours for spouses/guests on Saturday and Sunday
* All transportation furnished after arrival in Marion

Goose News Index | Main

An astute Coalition supporter provided us with a copy of the December issue of Ranger Rick, a long time children's publication about nature and the environment. The issue contained a four page article entitled: "The Great Goose Invasion," and a one page article, "Not All Canada Geese are Pests."

In recent years, the content of the magazine has more blatantly reflected the philosophy of the organization that publishes it, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Since the work of the Federation is cloaked in enchanting glossy brochures, the public has only a superficial impression of what NWF is all about. Their materials hypnotize the uninitiated into thinking that the NWF truly cares about protecting the environment and wildlife. In reality, the NWF is a front and lobbying force for the interests of the hunting and trapping industry. With the steady decline of these activities in recent years, it was only a matter of time before they began more aggressive efforts to program children to view certain types of wildlife as a problem or a commodity or both. In fact, this attitude-corrupting exercise coincides with ever increasing efforts to promote hunting to children through so-called youth hunts. In any event, they anticipate that this type of propaganda will make their message of wildlife problem solving through deadly force easier to sell when the impressionable young children grow up.

In the friendly, non-threatening, chit-chatty style so typical of Ranger Rick, the "Great Goose Invasion" article tells kids that suburban Canada geese are PESTS and should be treated as such. It's the old nature-is-out-of-control myth with wildlife refusing to play by the rules that humans have established.

With Canada geese being called "big trouble makers" and "lazy," the article has a decidedly intolerant spin to it. Geese are accused of destroying grass and are blamed for closed swimming areas because of "alleged" pollution, cancelled picnics and crop devastation, "driving people nuts" and holding at least one woman hostage in her car. And of course, the point is made that, because hunting isn't allowed in most suburbs, the geese can live long lives. It's interesting to note that the author doesn't mention why hunting isn't allowed, or make the point that Canada goose populations are being maintained artificially high FOR hunters. Nor do they mention that hunting is forcing geese into the safety of suburban areas only to aggravate the situation they are allegedly so concerned with. They do, however, mention that the success of the species is due to the human introduction of breeding stock to various areas around the country. The article shows to the critical reader, not children, that every situation/problem has a common root cause; something that people are doing, not geese. But the article ignores this and shifts the burden of responsibility to wildlife. Once again, the guilty have stolen the role of the victim leaving the true victim to suffer twice.

The article bashes non-lethal methods of goose control by concluding each example with a comment about, despite the effort, how hopeless the situation is. The unwritten, but clear implication is that something drastic MUST be done. The only example mentioned explicitly involved someone named Tom Landwehr of Minnesota. Referred to as a "scientist," he is quoted as flippantly saying, "We had to do something with our problem geese, so we finally rounded some up and turned them into goose-burgers to feed the homeless." What did the geese ever do to the homeless?

The second article, "Not all Canada Geese are Pests," is straight out of the hunting-biased wildlife management propaganda playbook. The article deploys the tactic of driving a wedge between two populations of wildlife by calling one good and the other bad so as to set the stage for exploitation and extermination of the latter. In this case, the migrant geese are portrayed as wonderful and the allegedly resident suburban geese are evil. This is the "not in my backyard" syndrome applied to wildlife.

The National Wildlife Federation, through its innocent Ranger Rick magazine, is clearly working to subvert the minds of children into accepting the philosophy that nature must be controlled, modified, regulated, and managed. Should wildlife resist these efforts, or step out of line and become an inconvenience, they teach children that wildlife may be slandered, devalued and ultimately destroyed. It is justifiable to question the integrity of a wildlife organization that would attempt to argue that, in arbitrarily created contexts, some geese are defective, aberrations of nature, misbehaving if you will. That the "injury" of lawn or golf is sufficient to make a case against geese indicates a certain superficiality of ecological values.

The magazine is entertaining comments on what their young readers think should be done, and asking children if there is a problem with geese in their area. This would seem to be a test of the NWF's effectiveness at getting their message out. The article gives kids an opinion, then asks to hear it played back. Sounds like programming. The real problem is Ranger Rick and the attitudes of the NWF, not Canada geese.

Let them know how you feel about their attempt to purge children of their innocence and natural compassion only to replace it with arrogance, intolerance and the potential for violence.

If you know children who subscribe to Ranger Rick, encourage them to cancel their subscriptions and let the Ranger know why!

Ranger Rick
Dept. CG
8925 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22184