Category: Animal Rights

WSF Commits $100,000 to Defeat a Ballot Initiative to Ban Mountain Lion Hunting in Colorado

The Wild Sheep Foundation is donating $100,000 to Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better (CWDB) to defeat the ballot initiative Proposition 127 to ban the hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx. The Initiative will be on the state’s November ballot after obtaining the required signatures.

“This is wrong on so many levels, and it’s not just a Colorado issue,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “Science-based professional wildlife management and the proud traditions of legal, regulated public hunting are increasingly under attack. This ballot initiative is all about out-of-state animal rights and anti-hunting extremists funding a campaign based on misinformation to elicit an emotional response from voters who are being swayed by toxic or misleading headlines.”

Marketed as the “Stop the Trophy Hunting of Mountain Lions” campaign, the initiative, if passed, would eliminate all hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx statewide, even though lynx is not a legally hunted species in the state.

“I guess they threw lynx in for effect,” added Corey Mason, WSF’s Executive Vice President of Conservation and COO. “That’s not where the misinformation ends, however. Anti-hunting groups are throwing the kitchen sink at this to confuse not only those who do not hunt but sportsmen and women as well. Their propaganda attempts to call into question proven wildlife management principles and undermines Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you read all their hype, it’s a desperate attempt for a ballot measure that would tie the hands of Colorado’s wildlife professionals to act responsibly for all its wildlife and the safety of its citizens and disproportionately impact farmers and ranchers in rural communities.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

Sportsmen’s Alliance Sues Fish and Wildlife Service for Failure to Act on ESA Wolf Petitions

Group Asks the Court to Compel FWS Decision on Wolf Delisting and Downlisting Requests

“…we will never refrain from holding agencies accountable to their statutory mandates to scientifically manage wildlife.”

Today, Sept. 9, the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to compel the agency to issue findings on two petitions requesting gray wolf delisting and downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“Today, we’re making good on our promise to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service for its failure to timely respond to our petitions in accordance with the ESA,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Unsurprisingly, the agency has asked us on multiple occasions to refrain from bringing this suit. But we will never refrain from holding agencies accountable to their statutory mandates to scientifically manage wildlife.”

In June 2023, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with The Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association and Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, filed two petitions with FWS requesting the agency delist gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes and downlist West Coast wolves to threatened. The agency ignored these petitions for over a year, and on July 2, 2024, we notified FWS that we intended to sue the agency for its failure.

The first petition requests that FWS recognize and delist wolves in Western Great Lakes states — Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota (including areas in adjoining states). These wolves have long surpassed their recovery goals. The second petition asks FWS to downlist West Coast wolves — wolves in Western Washington, Western Oregon and California from endangered to threatened. These petitions serve as a blueprint for successfully delisting the wolves in accordance with prior court decisions.

“The ESA is crystal clear in its petition process – FWS must issue a preliminary 90-day finding on our petitions and make a final decision within one year,” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “FWS has done neither, and we’re happy to remind them that the ESA’s provisions are not optional.” Read more

Animal Rights, Wildlife

SCI Opposes Final USFWS African Elephant Import Rule

Safari Club International vigorously opposes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) final rule restricting elephant imports released on Friday, March 29. The final rule will make importing legally harvested elephant parts substantially and unnecessarily more difficult, and African wildlife conservation will suffer as a direct result.

SCI opposes the rule for one simple reason: these regulations will neither stop poaching or human-wildlife conflict nor protect biodiversity. This amendment will only hamper elephant conservation conducted by local stakeholders, indigenous communities, and the African range state governments that are stewards of the world’s largest elephant populations.

Elephant hunting is an important management and conservation tool for the southern African countries with the world’s largest elephant populations. In these countries, elephants can create real burdens for the local and rural communities who share the same land, often leading to human-elephant conflict such as crop raiding. Elephant hunting generates funds and incentives to reduce such conflict, combat poaching, and secure habitat in these countries. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

MUCC Files Suit Against Natural Resources Commission

By Justin Tomei | March 28, 2024 | 
On March 28, the nation’s largest statewide conservation organization filed suit against the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), challenging the three-month closure of the coyote hunting season.

At the March NRC, the commission, in a 4-2 vote, voted to close the coyote hunting season from April 16 through July 14 through the adoption of Wildlife Conservation Order #1 of 2024. Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) testified in opposition to the closure.

MUCC filed in Ingham County, arguing that the commission unlawfully closed Michigan’s coyote season, violating their responsibility and legal charge. The Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers (MTPCA) has also filed a lawsuit against the commission in Mackinac County.

The groups argue that the NRC relied on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception and perceived potential loss of management control, said MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter.

“The record is unambiguous: The commission has not heard or cited any scientific literature or rationale justifying the closure,” Trotter said. “Meanwhile, there were hours of public testimony on the practical benefits of coyote hunting during the spring season, while being reinforced with cited literature.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan’s MUCC Takes On the NRC

The commission relied on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception, social pressures and perceived potential loss of management control.

After reviewing the options, MUCC’s executive board authorized legal action against the commission and filed suit against the NRC.

You can view a press release on the filing HERE.

MUCC was founded on the belief that game management decisions be insulated from social and political pressures to the greatest extent possible. Michigan voters agreed, passing Proposal G overwhelmingly in 1996.

MUCC believes the commission illegally closed Michigan’s coyote season in violation of their responsibility and legal charge to “the greatest extent practicable, utilize principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game.”

The process is expected to take months to complete, and we can only succeed with your help.

Conservationists of Michigan can strengthen our fight in the following ways:

  • If you are a member of an MUCC affiliate club, consider joining as an individual member. Having a direct link to MUCC will ensure you stay up to date with the suit, show you truly care about Michigan’s natural resources, and lend your voice to the largest and most successful statewide conservation organization in the country.

 

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  • Donate. Whether you are a Life Member, Individual Member, or affiliate club member, we need your support. MUCC’s mission thrives with contributions from Michigan’s outdoor community. Our organization survives on $20 and $50 donations from everyday Michigan sportsmen and sportswomen. Making a difference is as easy as supporting MUCC!

 

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Litigation is not a tactic MUCC uses frivolously, and our membership and hunters and trappers across Michigan have asked us to stand up and fight for this issue.

Together, we will fight for the principles of sound scientific management. Together, we will ensure our children will have the same opportunities we did. Together, we can preserve Michigan’s outdoor heritage. Join, donate, and share.

Yours in conservation,

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Amy Trotter, Chief Executive Officer
Animal Rights, Hunting

CBD Threatens Lawsuit on Wolves

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

Animal Rights

Sickle Darter Protected Under Endangered Species Act

Sickle Darter. Credit: Conservation Fisheries Inc. Image is available for media use.

Contact:Will Harlan, (828) 230-6818, WHarlan@biologicaldiversity.org

Sickle Darter Protected as Threatened Under Endangered Species Act

Fish Imperiled by Pollution, Dams in Tennessee, Virginia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— In response to a 2010 petition and 2015 agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a final rule to protect the sickle darter as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. But in today’s decision, the agency failed to designate critical habitat for the fish.

“It’s tragically too late for the sickle darter in the watershed where I live, the French Broad River, but with protections in place, we can still save this rare fish in other rivers,” said Will Harlan, a senior campaigner and staff scientist at the Center. “So many folks get their drinking water from or just have fun on the Appalachian rivers where these fish live, so saving this big, beautiful darter will also help a lot of people.” Read more

Animal Rights, Fishing

Anti-Hunters to Sing Their Song

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

Animal Rights

NRA Joins Appeal of District Court’s “Erroneous” NWR Decision

NRA Appeals District Court’s Erroneous National Wildlife Refuge Decision

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association on April 15 joined with Safari Club International, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to appeal an erroneous decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana denying the pro-hunting organizations’ efforts to intervene in and defend the expansion of hunting opportunities on federal lands.

In Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the plaintiff challenged a 2020 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulation, that expanded hunting and fishing opportunities on almost 100 National Wildlife Refuges around the country. The plaintiff wrongly asserts that this expanded hunting and fishing threatens Endangered Species Act-listed species and challenges the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on National Wildlife Refuges. The pro-hunting organizations seek to defend the 2020 regulation, which is consistent with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act’s directive to prioritize hunting and fishing on refuges.

In the appeal, the hunting organizations will demonstrate that the district court erred in ruling that hunter advocacy organizations do not have a legal interest in maintaining a rule that expanded hunting access. NRA, along with the adjoining groups, are leading hunter advocacy organizations and submitted multiple declarations of members who want to take advantage of expanded hunting and fishing opportunities provided in the 2020 rule.

“The NRA has always fought to ensure America’s sportsmen and women have ample access to this country’s great outdoors, and the district court’s ruling deprives them of the opportunity to be heard in this case,” said Amy Hunter, NRA spokeswoman. “On behalf of our five million members, we urge the appellate court to reverse this ruling.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

SCI Sends Letter to Interior Over Gray Wolf Battle

Today, Safari Club International (SCI) joined 23 other hunting and conservation organizations, representing millions of sportsmen and women across the country, in a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. These organizations “respectfully request that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) appeal the February 10, 2022, decision from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacating the 2020 rule removing the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) lists of endangered and threatened species.”

In early 2020, the Service removed gray wolves in the lower 48 U.S. States from the ESA lists. Of course, anti-hunting groups immediately sued to put wolves back under the ESA. Although these groups acknowledged that some populations of gray wolves have recovered, they sought to force the Service to restore wolves everywhere—from Maine to Washington State. SCI, along with the National Rifle Association (NRA), intervened in these suits to defend the Service’s science-based delisting rule. Unfortunately, a federal court in the Northern District of California largely ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor. It is now up to the Service to appeal this decision.

Gray Wolf populations have been increasing the last 20 years and demonstrate an Endangered Species Act success story. Now that the gray wolf is in no way endangered, it is time for the Service to allocate funding to other much more vulnerable species.

The best available science supports the delisting of the gray wolf, and the decision in California prevents species from being delisted even when they have fully recovered. Additionally, removal from the Endangered Species List simply means that federal resources are not used for conservation, and that management is returned to state agencies – which they are fully capable of in the case of the gray wolf.

The Department of the Interior and Secretary Haaland have a responsibility to stand on the side of science, management, and proven conservation strategies. They should not listen to misguided animal rights groups, which aim to have the gray wolf “endangered” in perpetuity. We look forward to Secretary Haaland’s response and will continue to stand on the side of science, conservation, and hunters.

Animal Rights, Wildlife
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