Posted on 12/03/2004 6:27:41 AM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
Some of the usually reserved residents of a gated community are in the cross hairs of rock star and hunting activist Ted Nugent, who is backing local leaders' plans to cull deer.
But residents on both sides don't like the attention.
"This is out of control," said Richard Scobee, president of Wynstone Estates, an upper-class subdivision in North Barrington where guests need approval from a resident to get through the front gate.
Wynstone leaders have proposed a bow hunt in the coming weeks to kill off half a herd, about 40 deer, that they say is eating thousands of dollars' worth of landscaping and endangering drivers.
The Motor City Madman, as Nugent is sometimes called, is on their side, though they didn't really invite him into the debate.
Nugent, perhaps best known musically for his rendition of "Cat Scratch Fever," first came on the scene when a local trustee played a video at last week's board meeting that featured him howling as he killed various animals with arrows at his sprawling game ranch in Texas.
The short clip was meant to stir emotions against bow hunting, but a majority of officials still approved a plan to allow the Wynstone hunt.
A few days later, Wynstone resident Carol Bieniek, who opposes the hunt, gave a local radio interview in which she called Nugent a "redneck."
Enter Nugent: "My critics are soulless. They try to fault me for participating in the proven assuredness of the renewable harvest," he responded in an interview Thursday with the Daily Herald.
Nugent, who spent his late teen years in Palatine, is somewhat of a self-proclaimed chief for hunting activists. He has written several books on the topic, including "Kill it and Grill it" and "BloodTrails: The Truth about Bowhunting." The rock guitarist, who has produced 29 albums since the late 1960s, is a frequent television and radio guest in his crusade to promote conservation and hunting.
"I started bow hunting on my father's back before I could walk," he said. "I have been anointed in God's tooth-and-claw nature system, and I bow to its authority."
The hunting groups Nugent works with promote bow hunting as a safe and responsible means of thinning herds in suburban areas where they could hurt drivers.
"That is a win-win for the environment, the society and the critters," he said.
That reasoning jibes with Wynstone's leaders. However, they preferred to keep the matter under his and the news media's radar.
"Things can be misunderstood and misinterpreted," Scobee said. "When the media blitz is done, then everything becomes a mockery."
Yet Bieniek seems pleased with Nugent's involvement.
"Maybe it has been good for us," she said. "It shows this is the type of person these bow hunters look up to."
Still, the attention is wearing on her.
"I'm not an activist. I'm a mom and I have stuff to do around here," she said. "I have to put up my Christmas tree."
MotorCity Madman ping*
Yes, that too.
As the late Jerry Clower would of put it, Bieniek, is probably educated beyond her intelligence.
If you live in WY, you are allowed NO wolves, ever.
I like Ted's attitude, though rock and roll doesn't appeal to me. That said, if all rock and roll fans had a little of the Nuge in their heart, it sure would make for a safer and happier nation. Hard work, dedication to one's craft, and self-reliance. What a trio!
There is room for all God's creatures....right next to the mashed potatoes!
Do we know for sure that Rummy doesn't...:)
He owns a ranch here in Texas. We may draft him to run first.
: )
They'd have no problem with euthanasia for the deer. But since the deer won't agree to it, and the residents can't bring themselves to see the deer harmed, the do-gooders will just as soon watch the herd starve to death over a lengthy period of time, or kill themselves by running into vehicles. This must be a "blue" state.
We have a very successful "urban" hunt to accomplish the same thing in part of our community - but we're a "red" state (one of 3 with NO blue counties).
Okay, you can have him Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. We get him Monday, Wednesday & Saturday. On Sunday let's make President of the USA.
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