I wish to voice my…

I wish to voice my opposition to the proposed designation of cormorants as a game species with a hunting season under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Cormorants are a recovering native wildlife species that was almost wiped out once before by pesticide poisoning and human persecution. They are beneficial to the environment and natural to their area.

The proposed changes will devastate this species again, and also disturb and harm many non-target but federally protected bird species which nest with them. The proposals would cause terrible cruelty as well, not only to the birds shot and left to die but also to the orphaned young whose parents were killed during nesting season.

Cottagers and tourists in our lakes and natural areas will also be endangered by the discharge of firearms during the spring, summer and fall.

Please do not allow this to happen.