A couple of years ago I was involved in legislation to push back the start date of the eastern gray squirrel hunting season. There was increasing evidence of gray squirrels having late litters in the year, and a start of September 1st for hunting meant a good chance of orphaning dependent babies if their mother was shot. Just today I saw a post on Facebook of a squirrel nest which fell out of a tree with dependent young found inside. Those babies were taken to a wildlife rehabilitator. Accidents in nature happen, but hunting gray squirrels is a willful human choice.
The squirrel bill to push back the start date of the season, despite overwhelming public support, was amended by then-Rep. Tim Lang to instead allow shooting of gray squirrels 365 days a year. This was a classic example of special interests and favors in politics, overruling the will of the people. Now Mr. Lang is a state senator. It just makes me so sad to remember the lack of compassion shown during that time when the bill was debated. Why is it so hard to choose to be kind? Maybe down the road gray squirrels will have another chance to raise their families in peace. Accidents in nature are expected, but no wild animal should be hunted when they have dependent young.
Kristina Snyder
Chester