Unnecessary Pigeon Shoot Scheduled in Pennsylvania

Seems the group North American Flyers actually exists to plan live pigeon shoots. The motive – to raise money.

Article:

Pigeon Shoot Scheduled

http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=5426071&nav=5ka4

Tuesday, September 19, 6:25 a.m.
By Bianca Barr

A live pigeon shoot will take place at the Moscow Sportsmen's Association in Lackawanna County later this week.

The president of the club told Newswatch 16 he is renting out the land so that the sportsmen's association can make some money. The Moscow Sportsmen's Association holds clay pigeon shoots at least once a week in the summer, but will host a three-day live pigeon shoot starting on Friday.

Tony Konasavage is the president of the club. He said he is leasing the land to the North American Flyers, a group that plans live pigeon shoots. Konsavage said he is doing it for the club's financial gain. Konasavage also said he doesn't know how many people or birds are coming, but he is anticipating a protest.

"(If) they cross the line, they are going to get arrested. If it's in my power that they are getting arrested, then they are getting arrested. This is a public road. The state police and Covington Township will be notified," said Konsavage.

Opinions varied at a nearby shopping plaza.

"I don't agree with shooting the birds. If they don't harm nobody and I guess it's just a sport but I don't agree with it because they're pretty and they're God's animals. They shouldn't be shot," said Christine Lutz of Gouldsboro.

Jim Brier of Clifton disagreed. "I think it's a good sport. I don't see anything wrong with it. I mean, the pigeons have a chance to get away. Some of them get shot and some of them don't."

The annual pigeon shoot in Hegins, Schuylkill County was ended in 1999 after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court gave animal control officers the power to write citations for animal cruelty.

Heidi Prescott is with the Humane Society of the United States and protested in Hegins. She talked to Newswatch 16 over the phone.

"This is a practice that could be so easily replaced by clay pigeon machines. There is no reason in this day and age to support this type of torture of animals," said Prescott.

The sportsmen's club president also mentioned that there are members of the club who are against the event.

He stressed that no member would be assisting in the event, only that the club would lease its land to the private group for a private, invitation-only event.