As a youngster in Cayuga County, I was brought up hunting, fishing and trapping. My most cherished memories are days I spent with my father walking the woods, fishing the lakes and learning about wildlife, nature and life in general. I am one of the lucky ones. If more youngsters had this opportunity, this country would be a better place for all.

When things get hectic or stressful, I head to the woods or jump in my boat and forget everyday life.

I have that right.

Unfortunately, many people do not have these opportunities. I'm not just talking about economics, urbanization, and contemporary lifestyles, but so-called "animal-rights" groups whose real agenda is taking away your rights.

A perfect example was the controversy surrounding the crow shoot. It was not about crows. It was about control.

Groups like PETA and The Humane Society prey on emotions of neutral America. They not only attack hunters, trappers, fishermen but farmers and pet owners, denigrating our heritage in the name of "animal rights."

There seems to be confusion between "animal rights" and animal welfare. According to the Constitution, there is no such thing as "animal rights."

Rita Sarnicola and Steve Johnson brought people into Auburn from out of town to call us names and threaten us. I bet these cowards didn't spend a cent in town, but they did succeed in making a mockery of their pathetic cause. The people of Cayuga County weren't fooled.

Being a state-licensed nuisance wildlife trapper since 1991, I have seen more human/animal conflicts than I care to describe. Overpopulation of a species is detrimental to animal welfare as a whole. This is a concept these people cannot seem to grasp.

Cayuga County is predominantly a rural community with small-town beliefs. Many people here hunt and fish. We are the majority. We generate, through hunting and fishing licenses and equipment sales, the money that pays for the habitat that sustains wildlife.

I was glad to see the crow hunt. Thank you Lance Gummerson, Tom Lennox and John VanNest for sticking up for our rights and not backing down to threats made by activists. You were right; everyone knows it. The protesters were powerless to stop law-abiding citizens from enjoying legal activities.

There are organizations that help outdoorsmen fight for their rights. Everyone who buys a hunting or fishing license should join at least one of these groups: National Rifle Association, National Trappers Association, Ducks Unlimited, North American Bowhunters, National Wild Turkey Federation, U.S. Sportsmen Alliance and Wildlife Management Institute.

Here is a small list of organizations that want to take your hunting, trapping and fishing privileges away: PETA, Animal Liberation Front, Humane Society, Fund for Animals, Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade, Doris Day Animal League, Endangered Species Coalition, and the Earth Liberation Front.

Mr. Gamba writes from Auburn