Some cry fowl at hunting in Gulf Islands National Seashore

“Murderer.”

Pamla Paris recoiled at a photo Zeno Weir proudly displayed of himself holding several ducks that he had shot during a hunting trip.

“They sure do taste good,” Weir retorted. “Lots of good protein too.”

The confrontation was the only one heard at the Gulf Islands National Seashore Live Oaks visitor center on June 7, where the public was invited to comment on a new Waterfowl Hunting Management Plan.

To the surprise of some, duck hunting was allowed within the Gulf Islands National Seashore before it was established in 1971 and has continued since that time. Dogs are even allowed without leashes for hunters although not allowed elsewhere in the national park.

“The legislation that established the park recognized hunting as a legitimate form of outdoor recreation at GINS,” Superintendent Dan Brown said. “The enabling legislation directed that GNIS permit hunting.”

For more on this story, see the June 16 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.