Sickos and poor shots, rejoice! The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, in all of its infinite wisdom, has shot down a bill to ban “pigeon shoots” which consist of live pigeons being released from cages directly in front of men with shotguns. As the only state in the nation that allows such a cruel and unsporting practice you would be forgiven for thinking that banning it would be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, the National Rifle Association, paragon of sportsmanship that it is, opposed the ban, and spineless legislators caved.
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.
Years back I was a member of the NRA, but it got to the point they seemed to lose sight of what their goal should actually be, became completely inflexible in that they are completely unwilling to sit down and reach a compromise that would be best for everybody.
Then, to stand behind and endorse a completely cruel and ridiculas activity such as this boggles the mind.
OMG
Joe
I wonder how many people know that pigeons are rock doves…Yes, doves…The ones Jesus liked & threw a tantrum over them being sold in cages…I wonder how He feels about Pennsylvania right now? I hope those cruel ones will tremble in fear when retribution comes…Why not ban guns? At least a bow & arrow had a little honour…
The pigeon shoots are pretty much impossible to defend within any ethical framework. It amazes me that the legislators didn’t have the courage of conviction on this one, even taking into account the high-pressure tactics of the NRA.