Resources to Effectively Argue Against  Bow Hunting and
 Other Lethal Methods to Resolve Human-Deer Conflicts
Produced by Peter Muller of the Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting

Script 2:
Get the decision-maker to listen to your position on the issue over the phone

 [Only use this approach as a last resort -- preferable options are:

1) arrange a personal meeting with him/her

2) arrange a personal meeting with a top-level aide

3) arrange for a presentation to a committee]

You:

Hello, Assemblyman Whitney, this is Marie Campbell. I'm calling on behalf of Wildlife Advocates. We represent 430 people in your district. Thanks so much for taking my call

DM:

          Hello, Marie, how may I help you today?

You:

I'm concerned about the decision that will be made regarding the proposal to open up the parks to bow-hunting.  We've been looking at the issue and  realize that there are valid concerns on both sides.
I want to make sure that the position of  Wildlife Advocates is given fair consideration.

DM:

          What is your position?

You:

There are several reason why we oppose bow hunting in our local parks

1) Bow hunting will not resolve the conflict.  The reproductive capacity of deer will increase as browse becomes more abundant. By killing some of the herd, we are increasing the browse for the survivors. A higher birth-rate ensues; this phenomenon is called "compensatory rebound."

2) Deer-Car collisions peak when hunting starts.

3) The most recent scientific studies show that deer density does not contribute to the frequency of Lyme disease.

4) Immunocontraception works well in situations just like this.

5) Bow hunting is the  cruelest and most inefficient method of hunting deer. The crippling rate is 50%. Half of the deer injured by arrows are never recovered.  They die of infections weeks (or even months) later.

DM:

That's a lot of information can you send me some documentation on this?

You:

The best central resources for explanation and documentation on these points are http:// [refer to websites] I'll send you an email listing all those resources. Would you'd like me to explain any of these points in greater detail now?
 

DM:

          No thanks, let me review the documentation.

You:

Great!! I'll call you back in about a week to answer any further questions you may have regarding our position after you've had a chance to review the documentation.