SHARK’S drone
This past Sunday, the 18th, Winge Pointe Hunting Resort, Berks County, PA, held another live pigoen shoot with animal organization, SHARK, not only there to protest this abhorrent cruelty but to document these shoots through videotaping using their remote-controlled helicopter (similar to image) to expose these killing sprees of defenseless birds.
As SHARK was using their drone, named “Angel,” “a single sharp rifle crack rang out” by an unknown person and hit the drone causing at least $4,000 damage, according to Mr. Hindi. Whether “Angel” can be fixed to work as it originally did remains to be seen. The camera has been completely destroyed as well as part of the frame and the battery.
The PA State Police arrived on the scene and agreed that the remote-controlled helicopter was hit by a rifle, mostly likely a .223, according to Mr. Hindi.
A .223 rifle, pictured, is recognized as a great starter rifle for long-distance competition shooting which makes a perfect fit to shoot at “Angel.” Long distance shooting experts say it is critical to get a .223 with a 1/7″ twist if you want to be accurate and a “compass Lake” to make it a super-accurate AR. Pictured is a .223 rifle.
The picture below depicts the difference between the size of a .22 cartridge and a .223 cartridge (r). Not only is the 223 clearly larger but contains “signficantly more powder than the .22 cartridge. The .223 bullet is a much heavier bullet, traveling at a highter velocity. In other words, the .223 bullet has much more energy to deliver on its target.” (courtesty of the firearmblog.com)
Why is this of importance? Shooting a .223 rifle is illegal in Perry Township as the PA State Police told Mr. Hindi.
Whatever the type of rifle it was, it was acutely precise in damaging the octocopter. This is the second drone that has been shot down at a Winge Pointe live pigeon shoot within the last two years and the fourth one to be damaged at the this “hunting resort.” SHARK is well within their legal rights to be there, protest and document these shoots.
You can see the footage SHARK had taken by “Angel” prior to being damaged here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jI-bVuYXS4
When I attended the emergency hearing filed by Johnna Seeton, PA Humane Police Officer at Berks County Courthouse against Winge Pointe last month, Judge Timothy Rowley expected Judge Scott Lash’s order to be upheld for future reference concerning Winge Pointe. Judge Lash’s order (2002) states, “at no time shall anyone kick, swing, stomp or otherwise abuse any bird.” The order has not been enforced.
This morning I received a phone call in which a local radio station was talking about this very topic. My source said all but one caller was in favor of these pigeon shoots. One man apparently called the station explaining what he witnessed at one of these shoots at Winge Pointe : gambling. It was nothing, the called said, to see one hundred dollar bills exchange hands while betting on who could kill the most birds. He went on to say that these “men” are well-known in these circles and most drive distances from New York and New Jersey to participate. That was his assessment of a pigeon shoot.
There was no mention of how the birds are found, delivered, treated and sprung out of boxes and the cruelty that is imposed upon these birds. In fact, he didn’t think anything is inherently wrong with the shoots. I have to wonder if Berks County residents have an explicit understanding of live pigeon shoots. Berks County is a place where hunting is pervasive but animal advocates know live pigeon shoots are not hunting.
According to Trapshooters.com, one commenter on this story wrote, “I think this was stupid on part of the shooters. The last thing a pigeon shoot needs is publicity. Now a million know about it.” Nothing more needs to be said. It speaks for itself.
The PA State Police are considering this criminal mischief and anyone with information should call 610-562-6885.
December 9th is the next live pigeon shoot at Winge Pointe.