Welcome to my page. I have included an editors page on this site to address some issues that don't really fit elsewhere on our site in general. As many of you know, I can be a little outspoken on issues that I feel strongly about and I'm not afraid to give my opinion on pretty well anything else. I think you will find some of the items you will find on this page interesting and I hope occasionally thought provoking.

    My main interest in archery is hunting. While I do shoot target in the winter and will be trying my first FITA shoot in about a month, my main off season archery activity is 3D shooting. I shot my first 3D a year ago and I am completely addicted. I won't get up at 5:30 am to go to work but its no problem getting up and driving 3 - 4 hours to shoot foam animals. Most of what you find on this page will deal with hunting related issues. If anyone has anything they would like to say, send me a copy and I will post it here.
 

    My first series of articles is going to deal with the idea of Pet shoots. A Pet shoot or canned hunt is basically a paid hunting opportunity usually within the fenced boundaries of private land. This type of hunt can take place on a range of 10,000 acres or in an area as small as a few hundred square feet. The following is an article I found on the ABA (Alberta Bowhunters Association) message board.
 
 

            Here we go!!!

                            For all you hunters and conservationists that are opposed to “PET SHOOTS” here comes sudden death
                            overtime.

                            These meetings will make or break the debate on whether or not “Canned Hunts” will be allowed here in
                            Alberta. The meetings are being held by the game farmers associations in the interest of determining
                            “Public Support”.

                            You'll notice that the government (Alberta Agriculture or Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
                            [ABSRD]) is not holding the meetings. You can bet that the game farmers will stack the meetings with
                            their supporters. They'll also probably set the agenda as they historically have in all other matters
                            regarding game farming.
 
 
 

                            May 31, 2001
                            Alberta gathers public views on hunt farms
                            By Mary MacArthur
                            Camrose bureau Western Producer

                            A series of summer meetings to discuss the possibility of hunt farms for elk and deer in Alberta is
                            guaranteed to generate controversy.

                            Already the government has had "mixed reaction" to cervid harvesting preserves, said Ellen Frombach,
                            head of the diversified livestock branch of Alberta Agriculture.

                            "We've had mixed feedback in support and non-support," said Frombach, of Edmonton.

                            This summer, committee members from the Alberta Elk Association and the Alberta Whitetail and Mule
                            Deer Association, will hold six to 10 information sessions across the province on the possibility of paid
                            hunting on privately owned fenced farmland.

                            Alberta does not allow hunting of cervids, moose, elk and deer, within private, fenced areas of land. It
                            does allow such hunting for wild boar, bison and pheasants.

                            A 13 page Cervid Harvest Preserves information package from the CHP committee said the establishment
                            of hunt farms would allow Alberta deer and elk farmers to capture millions of dollars in revenue currently
                            lost to Saskatchewan, which allows hunt farms.

                            The hearings will give the committee an opportunity to tell the public about the industry, said Brett
                            Oliver-Lyons, market planning and research officer with the Alberta Whitetail and Mule Deer Association.

                            Oliver-Lyons said he doesn't know what the public's reaction will be to the idea, but people he talks to
                            have few objections when he explains how it will work.

                            "Very rarely do I get any negative reaction. If they have a good background they're impressed with it,"
                            said Oliver-Lyons of Sherwood Park, Alta.

                            Deer aren't led out of a barn on harness and shot, he said. The animals are in large areas for a few
                            months to learn the terrain and operators will follow a code of ethics.

                            "It's a humane way of disposing with over-age animals," he said.
                            Alberta's older farm raised deer and elk are exported to the United States and Saskatchewan for trophy
                            hunters in those areas.

                            The committee estimates Saskatchewan CHP operators took in more than $5 million in direct revenue in
                            1999.
                            In Manitoba, the government is waiting for more information on the future of hunt farms in that province.
                            During the last provincial election all three parties said they would eliminate hunt farms.

                            Last November, Montana citizens voted to immediately stop hunt farming on existing operations, and not
                            allow new farms to start.

                            The Alberta association's committee will organize and run the public forums, but staff from Alberta
                            Agriculture and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development will gather the feedback and assess it.

                            The forums are designed to allow the government to gauge public reaction, said Frombach. Allowing the
                            public forums is not a nod that preserves will be approved.

                            "It does not mean it's moving forward. It just means the discussion is opened up," she said.

                            Oliver-Lyons said he is reading the government's co-operation in allowing the public forums as a positive
                            step.
                            "How the government reacts to the results we have no control over."

                            Over the next few weeks, Frombach will meet with the committee to discuss where the meetings will be
                            held and to ensure they are advertised properly. The committee is expected to make a presentation to
                            the government's rural caucus May 31.
 

                            If you, and your organization oppose PET SHOOTS, now is the time to start planning to attend these
                            meetings. A good start would be to write your MLA and voice your opposition to game farms. Watch this
                            forum for more information regarding meeting dates, times and locations. Ill post all the information that
                            I have as well as why I oppose PETSHOOTS!
 

                            Duck

    I am vehemently opposed to this type of hunt. I have serious reservations about this "code of ethics" because we all know ethics seem to go out the window when it comes to money. I am of the opinion that if you are a farmer who figures you need to supplement your income with this type of activity you loose the right to call yourself a farmer and you loose the right to your advantageous tax treatment, your access to government programs, and you should be precluded from carrying on legitimate farming activities.

    I hope this has stirred the pot a little so to speak and we can get some meaningful discussion going on this topic. Your comments are always appreciated.
 

Regards,

Tobin Heshka
heshkat@cadvision.com
 
 

June 29, 2001
 

    Heres a bit of new information on these pet shoots. Public meetings are being held across the province to gain feedback on this issue. Be aware, these meetings are being held by the people who want to promote this practice. It is our duty as ethical, responsible "real" hunters to oppose this at all turns. The meeting dates and places are as follows and I urge all to attend and voice your opposition.
 

                                        Tuesday, June 26, Travelers Motor Inn, Peace River
                                        Wednesday June27, Golden Inn, Grande Prarie
                                        Tuesday July 3, Agri-plex, Bonnyville
                                        Wednesday July 4, Mayfield Inn, Edmonton
                                        Tuesday July 10, Lethbridge Lodge, Lethbridge
                                        Wednesday July 11, Medicine Hat Lodge, Medicine Hat
                                        Tuesday July 17, Capri Centre, Red Deer
                                        Wednesday July 18, Hospitality Inn, Calgary

    All meeting start at 7:00 pm.