than others. But the absolute manipulation of this to increase the 

 success rate in terms of the hunt is what gives rise to the problem 

 here. And we know the incidence of agriculture and farming is not 

 the problem, I do not think. It is the manipulation specifically for 

 that purpose. 



And so, I just want to underline the importance. And I think that 

 in some cases, even this manipulation, we can talk about the start- 

 ing of this; raising this grain; stopping and then the starvation of 

 the species when it is done improperly. But that may be a good 

 faith effort that goes wrong. But we are talking about when it is 

 associated with the incidence of hunting to substantially increase 

 the success and bagging of geese, ducks and, for that matter, other 

 types of species like doves, which are being talked about. We think 

 of those as songbirds in Minnesota, Mr. Chairman, but I under- 

 stand that other states have different attitudes with regard to the 

 hunting of doves. 



But I think that in looking at this, we want to make certain, and 

 we should be certain, that we give a broad range of responsibility 

 to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the professionals, to, in fact, fulfill 

 this mission. For us to get in specifically — because I hunt or you 

 hunt, and we have certain views about it — for us to get in and try 

 to micromanage this on a basis that can lend itself to become politi- 

 cal, I think, is a real mistake. I do not think these particular poli- 

 cies ought to be run like a political yoyo, up and down, depending 

 upon who the hell is sitting in the chair over here that particular 

 day. 



And so, so many of these laws have been around for a long time 

 that I think legislatively, we ought to leave this mostly to the pro- 

 fessionals to provide close oversight so we are providing clarity in 

 terms of our constituents and sportspersons who are using this, 

 like myself or others. And I would just suggest — you cannot even 

 put a posted sign up on private property unless you have permis- 

 sion to do it, so you cannot say, for instance, or even prewarn hun- 

 ters. So maybe, we ought to have some suggestions like that 



The Chairman. The gentleman's time has expired. 



Mr. Vento. [continuing] — at least, in order to solve this problem. 



The Chairman. The gentleman's time has expired. 



Mr. Vento. I thank the Chairman. 



The Chairman. The gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Brewster. 

 Thank God for America. 



Mr. Pickett. Mr. Chairman, may I 



The Chairman. Mr. Pickett, I am sorry. 



STATEMENT OF HON. OWEN B. PICKETT, A U.S. 

 REPRESENTATIVE FROM VIRGINIA 



Mr. Pickett. I know it is past time to get to our distinguished 

 witnesses here this morning, but I do not want this opportunity to 

 pass without commenting on the fact that any law that an average 

 citizen cannot read, interpret and apply is a bad law, and I come 

 down on the side of wanting things to be understandable so that 

 citizens who want to be good citizens can be good citizens. And 

 equivocal and difficult laws are not ones that we should have on 

 the books. 



