Bird population has grown too large

Regarding the Aug. 24 letter, “These birds need more protected habitat”: Yes, there is a lot of misinformation, including that letter. The Nature Conservancy’s Web site sums up the snow geese population increase quite well. The populations have steadily grown, and “vast flocks now overgraze their feeding grounds, resulting in erosion, evaporation, and increased soil salinity.”

Reasons for the increase are “agricultural crops, warming of arctic regions, and past management, including preserves and protections from hunting.”

The Nature Conservancy also states that efforts are being made to decrease preserves and increase hunting. Efforts are being made to save wetlands, but “the fragile tundra recovers much slower, if at all.”

Washington now winters between two and three times the historic number of geese. I don’t understand why anyone would wait for the hunting season to end; birders observe most geese from the blacktop, not to mention preserves and refuges, which are no-hunting zones.

I have come to the middle of these issues I enjoy hunting and fishing, however, my spotting scope, binoculars, bird book and plant book are standard equipment now. I would question the economic value to the community, as my observation when I’m around birders is that they are brown baggers. The Department of Wildlife states, “Wildlife viewing participants do not generate in any significant way to support watchable wildlife activities provided by the Department.”

The hunters and fishers not only purchase licenses, but also pay a tax on fishing gear, guns and ammunition, which is used by the states for wildlife management, habitat acquisition and access areas for the public.

Landowners, some of whom have helped with small stream rehabilitation and altering farming practices to reduce the impact on the environment, deserve relief from degradation.

There are conflicts with all types of activities; I thought that finding common ground and finding solutions was where we were going, not drawing a line in the sand.

Dennis Barci

Stanwood