http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/vernonmorningstar/opinion/11670881.html
Poachingmust betreated seriously
November 21, 2007

Readers will see a photograph of a dead deer on today's front page.

Yes the photo shows a dead animal, blood and all. But it is important for the public to fully understand the damage caused by poachers.

And poacher is the proper way to refer to individuals involved in the illegal harvesting of wildlife. They are not legitimate hunters and actually give hunters a bad name.

They flagrantly thumb their noses at regulations that allow wildlife populations to remain sustainable while permitting the public an opportunity to access the resource.

Without rules, there is no discriminating between mature and juvenile males, or females who are vital if new generations are to be born. There is a precious balance in nature, and having poachers running around loose, places all of that in question.

And the fact that Tuesday's shooting in Coldstream involved a night lamp is troubling. Such measures are not only illegal, they place the animal at a severe disadvantage.

Virtually every rule in the Wildlife Act was broken Tuesday.

Beyond this, the poachers didn't care about public safety.

Firing a crossbow in the dark put every resident in that neighbourhood at risk. And while it was 6 a.m., Coldstream Creek Road is a busy route for joggers and walkers, especially first thing in the morning.

But while there is an investigation underway by the RCMP and conservation officers, the case and other incidents of poaching won't go anywhere unless there is public assistance - either from witnesses, or acquaintances of the accused.

Take poaching seriously and do your part to bring it to an end.

Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
Elie Wiesel