Stop Bowhunting in Florida

By Erica Ruedas

Target: The Suwannee River Water Management District

Goal: Don’t allow bowhunting on Suwannee River lands.

Suwannee River Water Management District in Oak Park, Florida, is debating leasing its lands for bowhunting in order to raise funds for land management activities. They are holding a public meeting on July 5th to discuss fee-based hunting on the land, which would include bowhunting.

Bowhunting is one of the cruelest and inhumane forms of hunting. Rifle hunting can be cruel, but often leads to an instant death. In bowhunting, the hunter is often less than fifty yards away from their target, and using at least fifty pounds of pressure to shoot the animal. Once shot, an animal is wounded, and hunters can spend hours following bloody tracks before finding the dying animal, if they can find the animal at all. If the animal is not found by the hunter, their death is slow and painful, and it can take several weeks for the animal to succumb. In the meantime, the animal’s young often die of starvation or dehydration.

There are many other recreational activities that can be used to raise money, such as boating or hiking, and these activities are open to a wider group of people, such as families. The district does not have to allow bowhunting. Sign the petition below, and tell the Suwannee River Water Management District to find another method of raising money that does not put the animals on its lands at risk for slow, cruel deaths.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Suwannee River Water Management District,

Bowhunting is one of the cruelest forms of hunting. Animals are often left to die slow, painful deaths, taking weeks to succumb to their injuries, while their young die of starvation and dehydration. However, you are still planning to consider leasing your lands to allow bowhunting in order to raise money for land management activities.

There are many other fee-based recreational activities that can raise money, such as boating, hiking, camping, or kayaking, and these activities are open to a wider group of people, increasing your chances of raising more money. I urge you to ditch fee-based bowhunting and consider another more humane avenues for raising funds.

Please listen to the public, and reconsider allowing bowhunting on your lands.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]