Quote:
Interesting you should say that. I received the follwing email from Dr. Allen today:
David:
Thank you for your comments. When we published the proposal for muscovy duck regulations in 2008, we received few comments from the public. We had no way to know how many people had muscovies (and still don't), or for what reasons they are being kept.
I'll be happy to consider suggestions for changes to the regulations that accommodate your interests.
Regards,
George Allen
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
George T. Allen, Ph.D., C.W.B.
Chief, Branch of Permits and Regulations
Division of Migratory Bird Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 4107
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1610
703-358-1825 fax 703-358-2272
[email protected]
If I am reading this correctly, the chief of Permits and Regulation does not know
who has Muscovies or
why this late in the game. He goes on to welcome amendment suggestions so that his department may accomodate my "interests."
As I've said before, I dont care two cents for Muscovies - if they are outlawed tomorrow, fine. But I reject one-size-fits-all government decrees and I will work for your right to keep these critters, where no harm is done.
I suggest that
someone create a list of reasonable suggestions based on personal ownership and send them to him.
For the record, I don't fault Dr Allen or his branch for not knowing about all the privately owned muscovies and their uses. Getting that information was the entire point of requesting comments from the public when the regulation was proposed. It might seem obvious to us, but then again, how many of us knew that muscovy ducks are considered a native species in those 3 counties in Texas.
My concern is that if we publicly suggest to the community to contact him directly, he'll be swamped with complaints and unreasonable ideas rather than constructive information or suggestions. If anybody has
useful information or
realistic suggestions (they should take into account effective handling of the feral muscovy problems), I strongly encourage them to contact Dr Allen. But complaints without suggestions or having dozens of people repeat the same suggestions isn't very constructive. I've already sent him my suggestions (and gave the disclaimer that I do not own muscovies or intend to own any) and told him I do not expect him to reply back to me as I know he is likely swamped with emails and phone calls from concerned muscovy owners.
Right now the groups best positioned to further this cause are the APA and large hatcheries. They can help estimate the number of individual muscovy owners to help assess the population that would be affect.
Also, I do not consider myself to be any sort of authority that people should listen to. If anybody disagrees with me, think things out then act according to your conscience. I'm just giving my thoughts on the subject and trying to be as efficient as possible while remaining courteous and professional to Dr Allen and his team.
