I was first made aware of Microsoft’s association with the Humane Society of The United States (HSUS) by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA).

The notification came following USSA’s request to Microsoft for the giant software company to abandon its partnership with the nation’s leading anti-hunting organization.

Microsoft will make a $100,000 donation to HSUS and is partnering with the group on a pilot program called the “i’m” Initiative.
Through the program, whenever a Windows Live Messenger user has a conversation using i’m, Microsoft will give a portion of the program’s advertising revenue to one of 10 organizations selected by the user.

The HSUS is one of the choices, and there is no limit to the amount of money that can be donated.
USSA, the nation’s leading sportsmen’s advocacy organization, has urged Microsoft to end its support of HSUS, but the company refused.

According to Microsoft representative Tara Kriese, Microsoft believes the i’m Initiative is “a great way to enable people to help causes that are important to them.”

“Microsoft is going to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars, probably more, into an organization that recently issued a manifesto that targets hunting for extinction,” said USSA President Bud Pidgeon. “If there was ever a time for sportsmen to take grassroots action, this is it.”

HSUS opposes all animal use, including trapping, hunting and fishing. It was a key player in the campaigns to outlaw dove hunting in Michigan, trapping in California and black bear hunting in Colorado.

The organization has created a hit-list of hunting traditions it hopes to dismantle, including bear hunting and hunting with hounds.

“The HSUS already has a multi-million dollar budget that it invests in legislative and ballot campaigns to ban trapping and hunting,” said Pidgeon. “The partnership that it has formed with Microsoft, the maker of the Xbox, will allow the organization to make money hand over fist and continue to fund efforts to ban outdoor sports.”
Sportsmen can make a difference in an issue like this. In the past, companies such as Iams, General Mills, Accor Hotels, Pet Safe, Sears and Ace Hardware ended relationships with HSUS after thousands of sportsmen levied strong protest.

In 2002, Jeep raised the ire of sportsmen when it aired a blatantly anti-hunting commercial called “Deer Hunter.”
After a flood of sportsmen’s contacts, Jeep pulled the commercial in three days.

As a stockholder of Microsoft, I personally sent a letter to Bill Gates urging him and the company to end its support of HSUS, and threatening to sell my shares. Microsoft’s reply was as follows:

Dear Mr. Spaulding,
At Microsoft, our mission and values are to help people and organizations throughout the world realize their full potential. With the “i’m” Initiative, our goal is to empower our users to support causes that are most important to them through something they do every day – send instant messages …

We respect and value your opinion, however, we do not plan to make changes to our relationship with our partners. We feel strongly that these organizations provide a range of causes that will appeal to a wide range of passions.

I just called my stockbroker and sold my shares of Microsoft.
I will not tolerate the software giant’s commitment to and partnering with an organization vowing to eliminate hunting. For Microsoft to partner and financially support a group vowing to destroy the individual and family traditions of millions of hunters, fishermen and trappers in the United States is an abomination.

As a sportsman and an outdoor journalist, I have nothing but respect for the USSA. It is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations protecting the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about USSA and its work, call 614-888-4868 or visit its website at www.ussportsmen.org

USSA is urging sportsmen to contact Microsoft and demand its financial support of HSUS be terminated. Contact Bill Gates, Chairman, by writing to Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052, by calling 425-882-8080 or by faxing to 425-936-7329.
As for Mr. Gates and Microsoft, I have withdrawn my personal financial support, and I bid them adieu.

Stay clear of wild raccoons

As Hoosiers head outdoors to enjoy the summer weather and engage in activities such as camping, hiking and hunting, state health officials warn people to be cautious when encountering raccoons and other wildlife, which may appear harmless. Such animals pose a risk for injury or severe, painful illness and treatment.

Indiana is experiencing an exploding raccoon population.
“We’re entering the time of year where we’re seeing a lot more raccoon-to-human contact,” said Dr. James Howell, veterinary epidemiologist with the Indiana State Department of Health.
“Many young raccoons appear to be tame or orphans and will even approach humans; however, raccoons are wild animals, and should not be petted or fed, especially by children.”

Howell said a number of individuals have already been bitten by raccoons this year and have been treated for possible exposure to the rabies virus.

The cost is about $2,000, and if left untreated, is fatal.
Any raccoon which is active in the day, shows no fear of humans, acts aggressively or appears listless is more likely to have rabies than one not exhibiting such behavior. As a result, raccoons should never be handled. Bites from raccoons and other wild carnivores pose a high rabies transmission risk.

In addition to the rabies threat, raccoons, especially young ones, are often infected with the raccoon roundworm, which can cause severe disease in humans, including death. People get roundworm by ingesting the worm eggs that may be on the animal’s fur, as well in fecal material. Raccoon feces may contain thousands of worm eggs.

Young children may accidentally ingest traces of the material if playing where raccoons have defecated around a home or in a yard. To assist in disease prevention, children should wash their hands after playing in sandboxes or other areas where they may have become soiled, before placing their hands near their mouths and before consuming food or drink.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments can contact Jack Spaulding by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.