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Page 14 · column 4 of 4 · from the scan, no model involved
cnecKea a puDiicauun ui uie
Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries and found that a six-year study
of declining grouse populations had concluded that, “the primary cause of mortalities was avian (44 percent) and mammalian (26 percent) predation.” They also concluded that, “sport hunting at current levels did not impact population levels.” I could have told them that. Nobody hunts them anymore because who wants to stomp through the woods all day and not see anything.
The avian predators were, guess what, hawks and owls. The mammalian predators were not identified, but foxes would have to be at the top of that list, along with the more scarce bobcat.
Gone forever?
Now, tell me this. When was the last time you heard a whippoorwill in Rappahannock County? If you are a recent resident, have you EVER heard a whippoorwill in this county? I can tell you, we used to sit and listen to them in the evening, and it was sweeter music than ever emanated from a pre-war Martin flat top guitar.
And tell me, too,'when was the last time you jumped a covey of bobwhite quail in the county. Tell me when was the last time you sat outside in the late afternoon and listened to “bob ... bob....white.”
And tell me how many people you know still hunt rabbits in Rappahannock County. I’m serious. Let me know, I want to meet them and go rabbit hunting with them. Fact is, there just aren’t enough rabbits in this county anymore to make it worthwhile.
It’s not just the loss for the simple man, who travels a bit closer to the ground then some of his brethren. It is a loss for every man, woman and child with the ability to hear the beautiful song of the whippoorwill or the call of the bobwhite quail. It is a loss to every youngster who will never walk the fields and have his heart quickened at the explosive rise of a huge covey of quail.
Could it be the balance has swung too far? Many people I know say it has, and we are long overdue for a correction. My guess is, we are going to have a long wait.
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