Hunting seasons open; Sussex tradition continues
A familiar sound of fall and winter in Sussex County filled the air on Tuesday this week. The booming repetition of shotguns firing signaled the beginning of the 2015-16 Delaware hunting season. The seasons opened with doves and resident Canada geese. Pickup trucks parked alongside back roads near woods also signaled the opening of archery and crossbow seasons for white-tail deer.
Over the course of the next several months, hunters will make their way to duck blinds, deer stands, goose pits and hedgerows to pursue a wide variety of wildlife populations carefully managed by state and federal agencies for sustainability.
Hunting continues a Delaware tradition that has been an important part of the state’s heritage since long before the arrival of European settlers. Deeply ingrained in that heritage is the spirit of conservation and appreciation for wildlife as important parts of the Sussex County and Delaware experience.
When the Cape Gazette beats the drums for responsible land development including generous natural buffers, and state and county budgets that include funding for open space infrastructure, the pleas are energized with a healthy dose of consideration for the wildlife members of our family.
Deer, ducks, geese, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, possums and all the other critters can’t write letters to the editor or appeal to council members to preserve adequate habitat for their future survival.
As stewards for what nature gives us, we have a moral obligation to press the conservation spirit that will guarantee adequate habitat to sustain the various populations. Wildlife managers can only do so much.
Those at the county and state level making land-use decisions have to do their part to recognize the importance of habitat preservation when setting policies and allocating funds.
Hunters beginning their annual traditions this week, as well as all others who appreciate the beauty of nature and all its creations, risk losing an important part of their heritage if they don’t include time in their pursuits to let their governing officials know how important habitat preservation is to their lives in Sussex.
