Here is a copy of a petition I received to change the hunting dates for coon and squirrel. If you are interested in supporting this just copy and print this letter and mail it Mr. David Graham before March 1st. Print out extra copies and pass them out to your friends. Thank you.
February 5, 2009
Mr. David Graham
Chief
Division of Wildlife
2045 Morse Rd
Building G
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Dear Mr. Graham:
I am writing in regards to changing the opening date for raccoon season. I feel the opening date should be set annually at October 15th. Raccoon season begins on or before October 15th in many of the surrounding states. This earlier date has been in effect for several years in these states. Their raccoon population appears to be adequate and pelts appear to be prime and are comparable to Ohio raccoon.
With the inclement weather we have been experiencing for the last few years in the month of November, coon hunting and trapping has been limited. An earlier opening season with better weather for hunting would lead to better control over the coon population. Subsequently, the coon population would experience fewer cases of disease and fewer landowner complaints regarding raccoon being a nuisance. This would hopefully prevent needlessly destroying raccoon.
Please consider changing the opening date.
The hunting season of 2008, the coonhunters have hunted approximately 3 weeks due to the bad weather and there have been seasons past that we have had less time to hunt. I sometimes wonder if it is worth buying a hunting license. We as coonhunters contribute a great deal of money toward the economy of the State of Ohio, more so than any other hunters. I feel we should have some say about the hunting seasons.
Also, we are competition squirrel hunters and pleasure hunters with dogs so with the heavy coverage of leaves still on the trees up until November, our hunting time is cut short considering all the deer hunting and bad weather. We would like our Squirrel season extended until February 28, the same as rabbit season.
Sincerely,
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