Back
in June I wrote about the proposed
legislation to turn deer "farming" over to the N.C Department of
Agriculture. There was considerable
opposition to that bill, but an amended version was later inserted as part of the
2014
Appropriations Act. That legislation allowed the
NCWRC to retain control of both wild and captive cervids (deer, elk,
etc.), but spelled out that the NCWRC must pass regulations that reflect the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidelines for the importation of cervids from
other states.
On
November 18, 2014 the House Select Committee on Regulatory Authority and
Operations of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission met in Raleigh to hear
concerns from deer farmers. (Note:
There are 37 licensed captive cervid facilities in North Carolina. Some are zoos or zoo-type facilities that
aren’t farming cervids in the truest sense. The majority of the rest are hobbyists).
While elected officials heard a variety of complaints from these “farmers,”
in spite of some legislator’s requests to hear from NCWRC officials, committee
chair Rep. Roger West would not allow wildlife officials to speak.
Now,
round two of these committee meetings is scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2014
at 10:00 a.m. at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Graham County. For those of you who aren’t familiar with
North Carolina geography, the community of Stecoah was the epicenter of a
multi-year covert wildlife investigation into the illegal harvest of bears. Since the arrests from that investigation in 2013, those charged (or their mamas or wives), have cried
in unison a chorus of "It ain't fair." Yet, after review by the state’s district
attorney and the U.S. Attorney, actions were deemed fair and did not violate
the law. So, in light of the hammering
given the NCWRC at the November meeting in Raleigh, and the location of this
next scheduled meeting, one doesn’t have to speculate much that the cries of, “It
ain’t fair” will once again echo across Stecoah Valley.
 |
| Linda Crisp - mother of convicted defendant Chad Crisp and wife of convicted defendant David Crisp from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJiRSX9r9eM |
The
NCWRC and its Division of Law Enforcement are professionals. While it may be uncomfortable to hear their
actions questioned, I am confident that they are open to questions and will offer explanations
for any actions taken by the agency. But,
they have to be allowed to respond.
 |
| Wayne LaPierre from www.nraontherecord.org |
 |
| Rev. Al Sharpton from www.sodahead.com |
The
tactic of challenging governmental agencies actions without listening to, or
allowing a response, is currently in vogue.
Those on the extreme right would rather scream, “storm troopers,”
jack-booted thugs,” “Ruby Ridge,” or any other right-wing rhetoric than to hear an
opposing viewpoint. Those on the left cry
out just as loud, but they blame the system rather than pointing to an
individual’s responsibility for their actions. Maybe the Rev. Al Sharpton and NRA VP Wayne LaPierre will show up in Stecoah. Now would be a meeting worth attending!
So,
what can we do? I encourage you to
contact the members of this legislative committee and respectfully ask them to
allow an even presentation of facts, and for them to question the validity and
source of those facts. Informed
decisions cannot be made without all available knowledge. The contact information below was obtained
from N.C.
General Assembly website. The
committee members are:
Chair Rep. Tom Murry
P. O. Box 1054
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-865-9993
Chair Rep. Roger West
P. O. Box 160
Marble, NC 28905
828-837-5246
Rep. Leo Daughtry
5 Lakeview Place
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-7265
Rep. Jimmy Dixon
P. O. Box 222
Warsaw, NC 28398
910-590-1740
Rep. Mike Hager
300 N. Salisbury St., Room 304
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-733-5749
Rep. Susan Martin
1407 Kenan St., NW
Wilson, NC 27893
252-285-2060
Rep. Annie Mobley
353 South Church Rd.
Ahoskie, NC 27910
252-332-5463
Rep. Garland Pierce
21981 Buie St.
Wagram, NC 28396
910-369-2844
Rep. Mitchell Setzer
P. O. Box 416
Catawba, NC 28609
828-241-3570
Rep. Ken Waddell
515 E. 1st Ave.
Chadbourn, NC 28431
910-654-3734
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