PETITION TO END KILLING OF CORMORANTS AND SHOOTING OF FIREARMS WITHIN HIDE-A-WAY LAKE

DID YOU KNOW? That the double-breasted Cormorants are being shot and killed on our lakes within Hide-A-Way? The Cormorant is a long-necked, federally-protected water fowl, resembling a duck somewhat, that eat fish. They weigh about a pound, and are great swimmers, diving down deep to eat bottom-dwelling school or "forage" fish. They eat about a pound to pound and one-half a day, NOT THE 15 TO 16 POUNDS COMMONLY BELIEVED BY MANY IN HIDE-A-WAY LAKE.

DID YOU KNOW? That the shotgun blasts usually use live lead bird-shot, or, as rumored, may be using blanks.These loud blasts scare off many birds WHO NEVER RETURN TO OUR LAKES.

DID YOU KNOW? These loud shotgun blasts scare not only the birds and other wildlife, but the residents. AND it goes without saying that the shooting of any firearm within close proximity to our homes IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. If our By-Laws do not allow for discharging firearms within our borders, they should!

DID YOU KNOW? That there have been large flocks of ducks, pelicans, and many other types of water fowl before it was allowed to discharge shotguns within our border? They simply will not return so long as the shooting is allowed to continue.

DID YOU KNOW? There is an ordinance within the borders of our city, Hideaway, that will not allow for the shooting of firearms?

DID YOU KNOW? That the Board of Directors of Hideaway Lake Club, Inc. waived that requirement to allow the killing of these beautiful birds? Because of erroneous information with respect to these water fowl, this waiver has continued. These small birds do not harm, and certainly do not deserve to be hunted down and killed. They eat little, and bring more beauty to our area than anything else. Leaving them be will enhance our community so much, as it will attract other water fowl, flocks of ducks, pelicans, herons, and even geese.

DID YOU KNOW: There is tremendous liability on our Board of Directors because of their waiving of the City Ordinance. Can you imagine the extent of the law suit if someone is hurt? How would you feel if it were your grandchild, or your neighbors, or anyone's? This liability and the costs would extend to all of us, and it simply must be stopped before it is too late.

PLEASE JOIN WITH US as we petition the Board of Directors of Hide-A-Way Lake Club, Inc. to reverse its policy and discontinue the senseless killing of these beautiful birds, and restore our community to the Bird Sanctuary we have always believed that it was.