poINTING IT OUT TO YOU!!! FEAR MAKES COWARDS OF US ALL

It’s been a busy season, thank you all for that.

I realize that it’s been a while since I posted a blog and for that I can only say that I will try to do better in the coming months, but no promises as I stay pretty busy with the Poultry Shows and F B McGuinness.

I hate rumors and gossip, I especially despise the gabby old loud-mouth cockers (that by the way, could give any women’s church group a run for their money) talking about things that they have only heard and not verified. We live in the “Information Age”. It’s not difficult to get reliable information. There are many sources of good information and Facebook and Social Media are the least of these sources.

Call your State Gamebreeders Association leader, they are in constant communication to get the correct information so they know how this affects our rights to breed. Reach out to the President of the Gamebreeders Association or his council , they are coordinating all communication between the state affiliations.

I try not to ever give out information unless I have verified it directly from the source, but I am a pretty good researcher and normally find out what I need to have verified pretty accurately, so call me if you need accurate information, I can direct you to the best source of that accurate information.

Is there a threat to just owning gamefowl, I would answer that in the affirmative column with a resounding “Yes” but not if you are smart. There are no laws as of yet that keep us from breeding these noble creatures, but there are laws about fighting them. Get smart about why you have gamebirds.

Join your state and national Gamebreeder Association in every state, but mainly the one you live in. Get involved with the Rural Lifstyle Alliance, they are on the front line of this fight, I will be leaving here on Friday for that annual meeting in West Virginia.

Show your birds at poultry shows, you’d be amazed how many farms are saved with a few ribbons and pen tags. Get your Certificate of Participation, this is a valuable document. This shows what you do in the light of day, I for one will never question what you do in the dark of night.

Quit looking for the rat and talking about who that rat may be, if the federal authorities have your phone or catch you cannot lie to them if you choose to be questioned, but it is a choice, these authorities are not your friends. This has been the case of most of the people that have been branded a rat. Remember, you do not have to give them the codes for your phone and you can use your right to remain silent and retain council. It is better if you focus on securing your own endeavors and keep that shit off social media. Learn your rights under the law.

Stop posting sparring videos. This definitely draws attention to your and your farm, and for the love of all that is holy, try to get along with your neighbors, bad neighbors have been the thorn in the side of any a good roosterman.

Keep away from all other illegal activities. Most of the places raided were brought to attention by people that had little to nothing to do with a rooster. Federal cases are usually sought but eager agents looking for guns and drugs, neither of which has any place in where you are or what you’re doing.

Quit posting about your trophies, keep that for the ones that really know you, if you are that good, everyone already knows it. The legends that made our sport great, did it without crowing to the masses how great they were.

I would like to believe that there has been serious government overreach in some of these cases, but I do not have access to any evidence that the government collected before any farms were raided so I can’t say for certain and neither can anyone else at this point. Where were the mistakes made that caused these raids, I don’t think any of us can rightfully say at this point, but it was an isolated case that involved 4 farms in Kentucky, a similar case that involved a few farms in North Carolina that were directly related to a pit and one case that I’m aware of in Texas that I have no information on at all. There is no reason to panic, but there is just cause to protect yourself and your property.

I know there are ones that are rolling it up and getting out, for them I’ll say two things; first, you’ll be back eventually, this is in your blood and with the investigations and coupled with general hard times and personal issues you may feel it’s time to exit this lifestyle and I wish you nothing but success…and second, we see good people exit every year in the summer months, for every one that gets out, 2 come in. Death, illness, age, job security and a losing season all take a toll every year on our community, and for those I will see you in the upcoming seasons.

Keep ‘em crowing