chip@vaxwaller.UUCP (Chip Kozy) (09/01/88)
I wish this could be a bit more up-beat, but it simply can't. While walking in the open sapce behind a local golf course I found the remains of a Coopers hawk. It seemed to be an adult, and how it died is not clear, but judging by the amount of expended ammunition in the area, I'd be willing to bet my next paycheck that it died because of someones' idea of "fun". The area up there is littered with literally hundreds (and probably more) shells from anything and everything ranging from .22s to .44 magnums. 12 gauge shotgun shells are everywhere. These shells once held anything from "bird and quail" loads to "magnum slug" loads. So what's up there worth shooting? Well, the most abundant animal up there is the ground squirrel. These little things are quick. I think the answer lies there...these big, tough, self- styled weekend Rambos are gonna take on them li'l varmints, and gonna do a quick-draw on 'em and blow 'em away. And that's exactly what happens...there's not much left after a .44 magnum hits a ground squirrel. But that's assuming that these people can hit the broad side of a barn from the inside...which, I'd be willing to bet, most can't. So where does that errant round go? Well, in the case of a .357 magnum, it can go about one mile. So wherever these "quick-draw artists" practice, anything and everything within a mile of them is in danger...animals, birds, golfers, people in the back yard cooking hamburgers on the BBQ, horses, riders, hikers, etc, etc, etc. So what to do? I really don't know. Making the guns illegal probably won't work...these people are breaking the law anyway. More police protection? Maybe, except that the police have their hands full trying to keep up with other things. Hopefully something can be done other than posting signs saying "Flak Jackets and Helmets Required In This Area". The reason I'm posting this is to solicit ideas from everyone out there as to what kinds of actions can be taken/investigated? The local newspaper went out with me and took pictures and wrote up a very good article on the subject, but now I need to figure out "what's next". Any and all info will be greatly appreciated. (BTW, the hawk that was shot was probably part of a family...there are three left that fly together...and I'd like to do whatever is possible to make sure that they, and the other hawks, vultures, mammals, people, etc. remain safe.) Sto lat; Chip -- Chip Kozy (415) 939-2400 @ Varian 2700 Mitchell Dr. Walnut Creek, Cal. 94598 ...!pacbell!varian!vaxwaller!chip