Hunt Patrols
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The first thing people attempting to sabotage hunts in the US must realize is that direct action, in and of itself, will never abolish hunting in the USA. There are too many hunters, too few direct action animal liberationists, and too much huntable land to ever be able to be everywhere that hunters hunt. That said, hunt sabotage must be viewed as a strategic public relations tactic: If we use hunt sabotage as a means to save individual animals above all else, then we are doing nothing to END the legalized murder of animals. One of the most effective ways to utilize hunt sabotage as a public relations tactic is through hunt patrols. Hunt patrolling is essentially hunt sabotage in reverse. In hunt patrols, the hunters are the law breakers, and the activists are engaged in lawful conduct. Hunt patrols were first utilized around 1975 as part of an effort organized by the Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting (C.A.S.H.). The patrols started in New Jersey and soon branched out to other locations. C.A.S.H. members began to buy land with the explicit purpose of protecting it from hunting. Over time, the patrollers refined their tactics. Today, video cameras are used in place of still cameras and audio recorders. While one activist engages a hunter, another hangs behind with a video camera recording the interaction. The fact that the events are being recorded by a person at too great a distance to be manhandled has a somewhat chilling effect on poachers. Patrollers also carry megaphones which blast siren sounds at full volume and shout things like "YOU ARE TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY! LEAVE OR YOU WILL BE ARRESTED!!"" In the future, patrollers may wish to focus greater energy on getting media coverage of patrols. The early patrols received some attention, including an article in Omni magazine and numerous TV interviews, but more recent ones have not. As alluded to earlier in this article, the potential for positive media coverage in situations where animal activists defend private property from disrespectful, lawbreaking hunters, is excellent. As with posting, volunteering to patrol private land is a good way to build ties with community members who may already have some degree of anti-hunting sentiment, if for no other reason than their safety is compromised by it. However, unlike posting, patrols are time consuming and can only be done on a limited basis.
Anti-Hunt Patrols Needed at South Jersey RefugeUNEXPECTED WILDLIFE REFUGE IS IN NEWFIELD, NJ CONTACT: Sarah qdi@snip.net (856) 697-3541 Patrol season [patrolling against hunters] has started at Unexpected Wildlife Refuge. Right now it is bow season, Six Day shotgun season begins Monday, December 4 and runs until Saturday the 9, and winter bow/permit shotgun seasons will continue until January31. We sure could use your help patrolling the 735 acre wildlife sanctuary that so many animals call home. Please consider donating some time to hike our beautiful trails. You will help protect the Refuge and get some healthy exercise in the great outdoors at the same time. Brings some friends and have lunch on our new picnic tables. Bring your camera and get some unique Pinelands photo opportunities, or just decompress with a soul-soothing solo stroll. Vegan food will be available on the porch during the Six Day shotgun season, but don’t hesitate to come out before then. Patrol is in full-swing here, so don’t miss out. Give me a call at 856-697-3541 or email qdi@snip.net Sarah |
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