On Wednesday, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a notice of intent to sue to the U.S. Forest Service for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to the hunting of gray wolves in Wyoming’s Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. This National Forest straddles the border with Colorado.

This is yet another salvo of the dozens from CBD where the animal extremist organization is seeking restrictions on federal public land to end all hunting, everywhere, of all species. Under the guise of ESA protections for wolves, the CBD has grown in recent years to become a “sue-and-settle” juggernaut that has aggressively pushed its agenda across the landscape.

CBD argues that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has failed to consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on management of wolves, which they allege is required under the ESA. In this case, CBD claims that because wolves are protected in Colorado but migrate across the border to Wyoming, such wolves must be protected at all times, including when they’ve reached an area where wolves are delisted.

In short, argues CBD, a wolf that is protected in Colorado must be protected everywhere that wolf might travel. Because wolves are a highly migratory species at the individual level, this is a convenient argument for the anti-hunting group to make in its crusade to destroy America’s hunting heritage and effective wildlife management under the North American Model.

“This is another example where CBD and others will claim that wolf recovery in a given state or area is irrelevant so long as there is a population of wolves listed as threatened or endangered somewhere else,” said Todd Adkins, vice president of government affairs at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Their goal is to cancel hunters and hunting everywhere, so this bizarre legal argument they continue to peddle is extremely dangerous and goes well beyond wolves and wolf hunting.” Read more

From Brian Lynn, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Sportsmen’s Alliance

The Wildlife Society to allow Humane Society of United States, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Wildlife For All and Others to Host Panel Discussion at National Convention Nov. 5-10

About 20 years ago Spokane, Washington, was the scene of industry uproar when it hosted the Outdoor Writers Association of America national conference. Two decades later, the underlying premise that ripped that organization apart is repeating itself at another national conference in Spokane.

That OWAA conference was my first. As a young associate editor with ESPNOutdoors.com, I was a panel speaker on the emerging trend of “Writing for the Web.” Like most first-time convention goers, it was an experience to see everyone in the industry together, sharing ideas and having fun. As we all know, this industry is built on relationships.

But many of those relationships suffered when a rift within OWAA was exposed later in the week. As some of you might remember, my future employer, the Sportsmen’s Alliance and the NRA rightfully called out the organization for allowing membership to anti-hunting and anti-gun organizations, such as Sierra Club. That rift split OWAA as members fled the soft-peddled “inclusive” approach and formed the Professional Outdoor Media Association.

Today, The Wildlife Society is about to repeat history when my hometown of Spokane hosts their national convention Nov. 5-10. The conference is where scientists, biologists and state game agencies gather to inform each other on research and share ideas. Good people doing good things. Read more