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October 5, 2005
Volume 3, Number 23
State Caucus Update
Anti-Hunting Advocates Targeting State Legislatures; Emphasizes Need for State Caucuses to Work Together on Behalf of Sportsmen
Anti-Hunting Advocates Targeting State Legislatures; Emphasizes Need for State Caucuses to Work Together on Behalf of Sportsmen
In December, the Human Society of the United States and Fund for Animals announced that they would take animal rights advocacy to a whole new level by merging and launching a powerful new lobbying arm called the Humane Society Legislative Fund. Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS, proclaimed that through the new organization, “we’re taking our fight to end animal suffering and abuse straight to Capitol Hill and to every state legislature…[This new organization] will multiply our efforts to move lawmakers…and keep those who would exploit animals for fun and profit from dominating the ears of legislators.” This new organization is on a mission to ban all forms of hunting, fishing and trapping.
Keeping their promise during the 2005 state legislative sessions, HSUS targeted states from Maine to California to ban or more strictly regulate how Americans take to the fields and woods.
Nearly a dozen states have seen organized efforts to oppose pro-sportsmen’s legislation such as efforts to reach out to youth hunters, open new areas to hunting or promote hunting to the general public. These states include Alaska, California, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin. Additionally, anti-hunting activists have supported a bill in New York that would deem all currently legal hunting as animal cruelty – a felony. Legislators in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia examining Sunday hunting proposals have heard opposition from these same activists.
A favorite target of animal rights extremists in the halls of state capitols is trapping. The HSUS has set their sights on banning trapping or expanding restrictions in Hawaii, Maryland and Rhode Island. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the organization which made headlines in August when Minnesota’s Governor Tim Pawlenty called their efforts to end fishing “nutty” and an example of “goofy judgment,” has recruited actor Casey Affleck to protest legislation overturning a trapping ban in Massachusetts. These groups have also taken aim at Washington’s efforts to do the same.
Some of the most high profile victories for sportsmen in recent years have also attracted the attention of hunting foes. New Jersey hunters, graced with the first black bear hunt in more than three decades, saw last year’s season cancelled at the last minute due to court decisions and political moves by those close to the Governor. This year, though the deadline for a hunt is quickly approaching and no formal decision has been issued by the Commissioner of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, signs point to a victory for sportsmen again. However, hunting opponents in the legislature have already filed four bills to stop the hunt from taking place. In Maryland, groups have targeted new bear hunts during the last two seasons. As in New Jersey, anti-hunting activists have filed multiple bills to end bear hunting forever.
Minnesota and Michigan both repealed bans on dove hunting recently, but those opposed to the taking of mourning doves have taken aim at the progress for sportsmen through the ballot box and state capitol. In Michigan, the season has been suspended until voters decide the issue by means of a referendum in 2006. In Minnesota, two bills introduced seek to put an end to the practice. In Iowa, efforts to overturn a current ban on dove hunting are actively being fought by HSUS.
Finally, animal rights advocates are turning to more covert methods of ending all hunting a fishing in the states. Through legislation, anti-hunters in Maine, Massachusetts and New Jersey are attempting to secure seats on fish and wildlife boards charged with setting hunting policies and seasons, thereby reducing the number of wildlife management specialists and sportsmen on these state boards. Examining at their efforts and campaigns during the most recent legislative sessions, it’s obvious these zealots will not back down until all hunting, and eventually fishing, is banned in the United States.
Fortunately, the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses is working with legislators across the country to stop these initiatives from moving forward and promote the sportsmen’s agenda. To that end, we encourage you to make your plans now to attend the most important event of the year for state sportsmen’s caucuses, November 13-16 in Maryland. The NASC Annual Meeting is a comprehensive, two-day policy conference that brings together state legislators, wildlife management professionals, outdoor industry leaders, and the hunting and fishing community to discuss and formulate policy to advance a pro-sportsmen’s agenda.
This year’s agenda provides an opportunity to learn about model legislation to be introduced in your home state to benefit wildlife, hunting and fishing as well as informative, educational seminars designed to update legislators on issues of importance to the sporting constituency in addition to helping your state sportsmen’s caucus become more effective and engaged as well as equal time scheduled to enjoy outdoor pursuits. For more information or to register, visit the new NASC Annual Meeting website.
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