USSA Talks Sportsmen’s Rights on C-SPAN

(Columbus, Ohio)- On Friday, April 20, 2012 U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Director of Federal Affairs, Bill Horn, appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal discussing Sportsmen’s Rights, and H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012.
Click here to watch the program. Check local television listings for C-SPAN rebroadcasts of this program. (http://www.ussafoundation.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ussportsmen.org%2fvideo%2fussa-talks-sportsmens-rights-h-r-4089-on-c-span%2f&srcid=8766&srctid=1&erid=11474281&trid=e8d896f8-10de-4859-a188-ec6489a14ea4)
Click here for information on H.R. 4089. (http://www.ussafoundation.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ussportsmen.org%2flegislative-action%2fu-s-house-votes-to-protect-hunting-shooting-on-public-land%2f&srcid=8766&srctid=1&erid=11474281&trid=e8d896f8-10de-4859-a188-ec6489a14ea4)

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10,000 Birds Dead as “Everglades of the West” Dries

Washington –Officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are estimating that over 10,000 migrating birds have died so far this year because of reduced water flow to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon and California. Officials say the final death toll may be close to 20,000 birds. Read more

Santorum Provides Candid Views on Sportsmen’s Issues

GW:  Gotta give Santorum credit for being frank.  Always to one’s benefit…

(Columbus, OH) –On the day before the pivotal “Super Tuesday” primaries, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum sat down for an interview with the staff leadership of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance to discuss issues important to hunters, trappers and anglers.

The USSA staff present for the interview with Santorum were: Bud Pidgeon (President and CEO); Rob Sexton (Senior Vice President); Doug Jeanneret (Vice President, Marketing); and Evan Heusinkveld (Director, State Services). Read more

Birders Say Wind Eagle Take Permit Not Justified

Washington — American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the nation’s leading bird conservation organization, has sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) voicing strong concerns about the first-ever application for a special permit that would allow Golden Eagles to be incidentally killed.

Golden Eagle by Glen Wunderlich

The proposed “incidental take permit,” submitted under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, would allow Oregon’s West Butte Wind Project to kill, harm, or disturb up to three Golden Eagles over five years, as long as certain conservation measures were implemented.

ABC’s letter charges that the data upon which an FWS decision would be based are markedly deficient, and that the federal government is not meeting standards prescribed in its own regulations published less than three years ago. ABC also cites emails, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, between senior Department of Interior staff casting doubt on the whether the project could ever be safe for birds, including Golden Eagles. Read more

Wildlife Officials Say Mexican Wolf Died From Gunshot

PHOENIX — The National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon, has determined that Mexican wolf mp1242 died as the result of a gunshot wound.

On Nov. 23, 2011, Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel on the Mexican wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) were contacted by Read more

Wolf Delisting Decision a Big Win for Sportsmen

(Columbus, Ohio) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that gray wolf populations in the Western Great Lakes region have exceeded recovery goals and should no longer be protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Once official, this move will return wolves to state management in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and some portions of adjoining states.

In an even bigger victory for sportsmen, the Service also announced that it has reversed its previous view that two wolf species exist in the Western Great Lakes region.  Read more

Anti-Fishing Groups Bypass Ongoing Lawsuit in Attempt to Ban Lead Fishing Tackle

Alexandria, VA – On November 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was yet again petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other anti-fishing groups, requesting that the agency regulate the manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes and uses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If approved, such regulation could result in a de facto ban of lead sinkers, jigs and other popular types of fishing equipment. Read more

Arizona Confirms Wolf Conservation Support, Objects to New Wolf Releases

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) today voted 3-1 to continue both its financial and infrastructure support of Mexican wolf conservation in the state, but voted not to support the release of any new wolves until the federal government completes certain critical planning measures. Previously, all initial releases of captive Mexican wolves in the U.S. have occurred in Arizona with the concurrence and support of the Game and Fish Department. Read more

Private Citizen Wins Case Against Center for Biological Diversity

The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) is no novice when it comes to lawsuits. The CBD has filed numerous lawsuits in the past decade against the federal government and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over perceived endangered species. From tiny fish to frogs to polar bears, if it’s alive, it’s possibly included in a CBD lawsuit.  This tactic does sometimes backfire.

Seems when the CBD decided to sue the U.S. Forest Service about cattle grazing allotments in 2002, it accused Arizona ranchers Jim and Sue Chilton of stewardship abuse. Read more

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