New DEC head-lawyer and anti

[Qtip]

Just read at 24 hr. campfire that Spitzer's appointee to head the DEC is from NYC, a lawyer and one who; as a state rep, has introduced anti-hunting and trapping legislation. Spitzer is a liberal moron and we are in for a real battle. Hang on to your hats boys. We had better organize against this as soon as possible. All of you who belong to a club will likely hear lots about this soon. We may be in big trouble.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

[tscott]

Anybody have a link to the NYS assembly Bill that is suposedly anti hunting? (#1850)?
I return home to NY to hunt each year.

[rebAL]

Thanks for posting that information.  I was going to post the fact that he is a Manhatten Assemblyman who is a self-desribed environmental advocate but had no information about his knowledge of outdoor recreation like hunting & fishing.  He needs to get senate confirmation so we need to get busy and write our NYS Senators as soon as we get more information regarding his views on our sport. 

[Leatherstocking]

I agree that we may be in trouble with the Spitzer appointee for DEC Commish, but what is even worse is that this guy will just be a puppet for Judith Enck who has been appointed as Spitzer's Deputy Secretary of the Environment. The DEC Commissioner will report to her. And she is not subject to senate confirmation. And for those of you familiar with Ms. Enck, she is one of the most powerful, radical and liberal environmentalists this state has. As an environmental professional, I foresee some good things about that, but as a sportsman, I am very concerned about the future of fish and game programs at DEC. Spitzer plans to "revamp" DEC and return the enforcement capabillities it once had. I guess this can happen one of two ways - raise taxes, or do it at the expense of other DEC programs - probably ones that will make  the sportsman  suffer. The DEC has been evolving over many years from a resource management agency to and environmental protection agency. Up until now I think it struck a pretty decent balance of both, but I am afraid that  with Spitzer and his administration, it will evolve too far, too fast.

[Mikey]

With spitzer and his neu yawk city crowd coming to albany you expected something better? 

[Leatherstocking]

No, but I was hoping our concerns would be limited to gun ownership. Now I am concerned about a broader array of sportsmen's issues.

[Qtip]

At 24 Hr. Campfire one of the members has a cut and paste form letter to Spitzer that tells it like it is. It's listed under the "Hunters Campfire" section. I sent it on already.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

[WNY_Whitetailer]

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,111156.0.html

I posted an on-line petition at the above link...It is the least that we can do to let the Gov know how we feel.  On top of that, a letter writing campaign is recommended...I will check out the previously mentioned form letter and possibly send that to the Gov.'s office...

[rebAL]

Does anyone really think Spitzer gives a crap what we hunters have to say?  Our only hope is our NYS Senate.  They have to confirm this nomination.  The only way this nomnee could be qualified to serve is if NY was to separate DEC so fish & wildlife is separate from environmental issues.   

[Leatherstocking]

rebAL - I agree with ya' that the Senate is currently our only stronghold as sportsmen, but beware -- that is slipping too. I believe there is only a 2 person majority. AND, get this, I heard that Spitzer has offered an appointed position to one of the republican senators from Orange County!! How slippery is that??!!! Take out a popular republican senator so that next time around the spot is likely to be filled with a Democrat, further cutting into the slim majority currently held by the republicans. Spitzer is a typical lawyer - sneaky, slimy and slipppery. I am a native New Yorker and I love this state because I think it has a lot to offer, but I foresee some bad times ahead for sportsmen........

[rebAL]

Spitzer is also doing all he can to go after my senate rep, Hugh Farley and get current Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton to run aganst him.  That would be the final nail in the coffin for hunting & gun control for NY.  I can still remember some on this forum I believe stating that nobody could be worse than Pataki.  Pataki was a blowhard politician, but he did veto a lot of liberal legislative crap. 

[NYH1]

I can still remember some on this forum I believe stating that nobody could be worse than Pataki.  Pataki was a blowhard politician, but he did veto a lot of liberal legislative crap. 

Pataki came up with and signed the worst anti gun laws this state has seen to date......that's a fact!. Will Spitzer be worst then Pataki, don't know yet. Pataki was horrible! 

[rebAL]

I am not & never was a Pataki supporter;  But politics in NYS, thanks to NYC, dictate that a conservative will never be elected or supported statewide.  (Remember Lou Lehrman who won every single upstate county only to lose popular vote statewide?)  I believe things will be much worse with an out of control liberal democrat with no vetoes from an all ready out of control legislature.  Although Pataki was terrible , without his occasional veto it would have been a lot worse for gun owners as I fear we will now see.

[NYH1]

I don't remember Pataki vetoing any anti gun laws. I remember him coming up with and signing the law that mirrors the federal assault weapons ban. I remember him coming up with and signing ballistic finger printing. I remember him trying to come up a law that would require pistol permit holders to renew their pistol permits every year at around a $100 a pop. He wanted pistol permit holder to fill a $35 million gap in the state budget. To their credit even the dems were on our side with that and told him to get lost. Pataki was the worst governor New York State has had to date as far as anti guns laws go. As I already said Spitzer may be even worst......I guess we'll see.

Edited to add: the pistol permit renewal law would have required your permit to go in front of a judge every time it was renewed. The judge would also have had the option of restricting your "concealed carry permit" to a "hunting, target shooting only permit" if he wanted too. Pataki was the worst!

[tscott]

I have read here that some Western NY counties recently have Centerfire rifle for deer seasons, something that I have been doing 50 miles north of Manhattan legally for over 50 years. NY has had a rich hunting and sport shooting tradition, and in my lifetime, I have never had the briefest moment when I thought hunting and sport shooting would be threatened. There is no supportive evidence to this end! Closeness to NYC, isn't even an issue!
The one statement of Mr. Grannis, the appointee to head the DEC is as follows: "I am not opposed to hunting. I don't see anything in my record that would give NY cause for concern to hunters!"  Now if Mr. Grannis wants to float a bill to charge poachers with animal cruelty as well... I'm for it!!
The only thing that has changed is the goofy Sat. opener. Ruins my drive up the east coast each Nov. thinking about it!!! 

[htrjv]

tscott, You and I are about the same age, from your description of hunting for over 50 years, and I respect your position.  I'm abit closer to seeing the real problems, involving DEC than you are, and I can tell you there are BIG problems looming on the horizon for us "HUNTERS", and all sportsmen and women.
The direction DEC is headed in is not a pretty one for hunters, anglers, and most of all trappers.  It is the trappers that appear to be the ones, who will feel the first blow, if Grannis is confirmed.  Beware of the Wolf in Sheep's clothing.
I would ask you to take the time to talk to your local DEC people and read, as much as you can, about this individual, and what is happening "within" DEC.   The outlook isn't pretty.  Yes, I believe we will see the passage of a bill to allow 14 and 15 year olds to hunt deer this year.  Not for the reasons we feel it should be passed, but because it has become a matter about money.
The truth of the matter is that Mr. Grannis is NOT sportsmen and sportswomen friendly.  If confirmed, you will see and feel what I am saying. Best Wishes

[rebAL]

I don't remember Pataki vetoing any anti gun laws. I remember him coming up with and signing the law that mirrors the federal assault weapons ban. I remember him coming up with and signing ballistic finger printing. I remember him trying to come up a law that would require pistol permit holders to renew their pistol permits every year at around a $100 a pop. He wanted pistol permit holder to fill a $35 million gap in the state budget. To their credit even the dems were on our side with that and told him to get lost. Pataki was the worst governor New York State has had to date as far as anti guns laws go. As I already said Spitzer may be even worst......I guess we'll see.

Edited to add: the pistol permit renewal law would have required your permit to go in front of a judge every time it was renewed. The judge would also have had the option of restricting your "concealed carry permit" to a "hunting, target shooting only permit" if he wanted too. Pataki was the worst!

     I agree with everything you say.  The thngs we don't remember are the vetos and the other legislation that would have been passed if it weren't for the threat of vetos.  I believe Spitzer will be far, far, worse than Pataki especially with a democrat controlled legislature in both state houses.  I posted this for the sake of all those Pataki haters who voted for Spitzer for "A change".