Coalition Launched to Stop Federal Anti-Bear Hunting Bill

[Graybeard]

Coalition Launched to Stop Federal Anti-Bear Hunting Bill
 
(Columbus) - The nation's premier sportsmen's advocacy organization has joined forces with dedicated bear hunting groups to launch a coalition to fight a Virginia congressman's attempt to restrict bear hunting.  

Representative Jim Moran, a Democrat from Fairfax, Virginia, has committed to passing imminent legislation that would ban bear baiting on federal land.  In response to the threat, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and the Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen created the Bear Hunting Defense Task Force.

Ten of the twenty-seven states that permit black bear hunting also allow baiting.  State wildlife agencies from those states say that baiting is an effective and necessary management tool for controlling bear numbers.  Moran wants to take that option away.

"The bill itself is not the only threat," explained Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs.  "Congressman Moran is known for inserting last minute amendments into bills.  He nearly banned trapping on the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1999 in this fashion.  To take him lightly would be a mistake.”

Sexton noted that the Bear Hunting Defense Task Force needs more support to be as effective as possible.

"We will only be as effective as the size and strength of our coalition," he said.  "We will need sportsmen’s organizations from, at the very least, all bear hunting states to defeat this threat.”

Frank Crapsey, president of the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, challenged other organizations to do their part.

"We are launching this Task Force to get the ball rolling," Crapsey said.  "We need and welcome all groups to join up.”

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is supplying coordination, funding and lobbying services, while other Task Force members are providing grassroots resources and funding to pay for mailings into targeted congressional districts.

For more information about how to join the Bear Hunting Defense Task Force, contact the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance at 614-888-4868 or info@ussportsmen.org.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers nationally in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs.  For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

[dabigmoose]

Thanks Graybeard for the heads up

 It always seem they are trying to ban something on so called federal land.I dont think they learned anything from when they banned cougar hunting in california and then started having them eat kids and pets.
I hope this bear hunting advocate group can help before its to late.
thanks again for the info
Dabigmoose

[Lawdog]

dabigmoose,

To this day I still remember the ads stating that there was only 9 mountain lions left in California.  And the powers to be bought this line of bull.  I just wish that some of those 'mountain kittys' would eat the fools that promoted that bill here in California.  Just look what they have done, we now have lions roaming the grade school yards in many of the subards.  Neighbor of mine two years ago lost a colt to one in there corral.

[Dand]

GB - thanks for the post - the mail is slow to remote Alaska and I don't get my Sportman's Alliance news letter as soon as you.

While I'm not much on bear baiting I have no problem with those who do like it.    What really riles me is this constant Fed attempt to take fish and game management away from states :evil:  .

To that end and to improve the Feds coordination with State management agencies some readers might be interested in recent new policies announced for the USFWS.  It shows that the Bush administration is beginning to make some progress in protecting states' rights and authorities.  I know a few dedicated state biologists have been working very hard behind the scenes to get things right.  Check out the link and look for:
USFWS Director's Order re States Role in Management of NWR System:Necessary Attention

at  http://refuges.fws.gov/policyMakers/NWRpolicies.html

here is part of the note I got on it:
 " it took a year of the states' reps (AZ, AK, WY, MO, NY, SC) negotiating and more negotiating then tattletaling to get the staff to agree to  something the  Director would sign.  At the 11th hour the solicitor's tried to kill it."

Before I retired I spent a lot of time keeping an eye on Feds trying to meddle with fish management outside their authority. And some times they made sneak moves or lied outright - this directive should help stop that.