Your correct bird watchers like their cameras. I really enjoy watching birds every morning also with my first pot of coffee. Every morning of the year I try to do this. If I am at home on my porch or at the Walmart parking lot I like to be there when the birds wake up. Its nothing to do with killing birds. But yes we do enjoy eating them
While working this event I visited the DNR field office and ran across something I knew nothing about it and never ran across at any other refuge I have been to. Here to visit the refuge for certain times of the year you must obtain a Access pass from the DNR. The more I talked to this guy the more it sounded like these types of visitors ( non Hunter's bike riders etc etc) have little respect for the grounds and contributed next to nothing to Michigan's natural resources and are actually becoming costly. (Not all but a larger crowd every year.) Now the visitor's pass is free to obtain but you first need to obtain the necessary waterfowl licenses. I agree with this, if you want to enjoy what sportsmen/women have build/restored you should kick in your fair share. Yes you should help.
You are correct. Most non-hunters/anti-hunters, do NOTHING for the environment/habitat, and many do harm. They have NO problem destroying things, but when it comes time to DO something of VALUE, they are not interested. They CLAIM they want the habitat that draws, and holds, the raptors to this area, but, for the most part, do NOTHING to protect and maintain that habitat
Generally speaking, the majority of the "public" are ignorant when it comes to wildlife and habitat issues. It is not often discussed in schools and if it is discussed, it is often taught incorrectly and with a bias that does not reflect any kind of real science.
Everyone TAKES from the environment, few give back.
Non-hunters do little. Anti-hunters, and their organizations, cause great harm to modern, science based, wildlife and habitat management. They play on emotion to do what they set out to do, make money for themselves. Groups like PETA and the Humane society of the United States, cause a LOT of damage with their bogus claims and law suits, which cause millions of dollars that COULD be used to improve habitat, and the environment, to be wasted fighting the stupidity.
It is a real shame that reality is not taught in schools. It is also a shame that the general public does not pay it's share of what it takes to insure that places like Pointe Mouillee are always there.
