Category: Animal Rights

The Paradox of Good Intentions

By Glen Wunderlich

A paradox of good intentions is the only description that comes to mind with a story from Texas relative to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Although the ESA has been with us for some 40 years and is touted as having credible successes with certain species (and, rightfully so), it’s having a severe, negative impact on three antelope species:  horned oryx, Dama gazelle and addax.  These antelope species are known in Texas as the “Three Amigos.”

The U.S. House and Senate will consider Dallas Safari Club (DSC)-backed legislation that would exempt from ESA protections three antelope species nearly extinct in their native countries but thriving on ranches in Texas.  The exemptions would clear the way for ranchers to maintain their herds and to offer hunts for these game animals without government intervention.

Once again, the seemingly counter-intuitive rationale to allow hunting is being used as an argument to save the species.  Yes, they are not indigenous to Texas, but tell that to the once-thriving herd.

First, we must understand that the imposition of ESA mandates brings with it certain prohibitions Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

HSUS “Ambassador” Caught with Illegal Ivory

This from www.HumaneWatch.org

We reported earlier this week about the controversy around an auction for a hunt of a single, non-breeding black rhino that raised $350,000 for anti-poaching efforts. It’s interesting that the biggest complainer about this auction, the Humane Society of the United States, isn’t apparently spending much, if anything, toward rhino conservation itself, according to its tax returns.  If HSUS had its way, this $350,000 wouldn’t make its way to anti-poaching programs, simply because HSUS is ideologically against hunting.

And now, the latest setback in the fight against illegal poaching comes from HSUS’s own “global ambassador,” the music artist calling herself Ke$ha. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

U.S. Congress to Consider ‘Three Amigos’ Amendment

GW:  An ESA failure with hope from hunters…

WASHINGTON- -The U.S. House and Senate will consider Dallas Safari Club (DSC)-backed legislation that would exempt from endangered species protections three antelope species nearly extinct in their native countries but thriving on ranches in Texas.
The exemptions would clear the way for ranchers to maintain their herds and to offer hunts for these game animals without government intervention. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

DSC Auction Raises $350,000 for Rhino Conservation

DALLAS (Jan. 11, 2014)-A Dallas Safari Club (DSC) auction has raised $350,000 for rhino conservation efforts in Namibia.
All proceeds-100 percent-will go into a special fund used by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism for anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, research and other measures crucial for protecting populations of endangered black rhinos.
The auctioned item is a hunting permit for a black rhino in Namibia’s Mangetti National Park. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Poachers, Wildlife

Michigan Groups’ Battle over Wolves Looms

By Glen Wunderlich

Now that Michigan’s first wolf hunt is over, one thing is clear:  hunters did not wipe out our wolf population.  In fact, only about half of the kill quota was met, or more precisely, 23 of the maximum quota of 43.  That won’t stop the anti-hunting-anything contingent from furthering its emotionally founded cause to prevent another wolf hunt.  It also won’t stop wolf hunting advocates from squaring off all over again in the political arena this year.

Predictably, the protections afforded the gray wolf over the decades would end eventually based on the remarkable growth of the wolf population, which is far beyond recovery goals established under the Endangered Species Act.

The wolf hunt was the state’s first to feature online and call-in reporting of killed wolves and allowed hunters to get text alerts or to check a given hunt’s status via a state website.  The system also ensured that no over-killing would take place.  From a management standpoint, the system worked as planned.

But, groups like Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP), an arm of the world’s largest anti-hunting organization, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is still kicking and screaming.  Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

2014: The Year of the Ballot Issue?

This from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance…

As sportsmen and women are gearing up for the year ahead, the fight for the future of hunting appears headed for the ballot box next fall as ballot issues are popping up from coast to coast.  While the November election might seem far off, hunters and trappers across the country are hard at work preparing for the upcoming battles.

In July, we reported on the ongoing fight over Michigan’s wolf management program.   Now, sportsmen are staring down the barrel of two ballot initiatives that seek to bar the state from designating wolves as a game species.  Sportsmen, not willing to sit idly by, have begun to fight back – and are circulating petitions for a citizen-initiated law to counter the anti’s efforts.  If successful, the law would ensure the ability of the state’s Natural Resources Commission to designate game species. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

HSUS Solicitation Campaigns a Net Negative for Animals

This from www.HumaneWatch.org…
In November the Massachusetts attorney general’s office released a report of professional solicitation campaigns conducted in the state. Charitable solicitation has been in the news recently after a report last year fingering the 50 worst charities in America based on 10 years’ worth of telemarketing campaign data.

According to the report, telemarketers kept two-thirds of the money that Massachusetts residents gave, or $175.7 million out of $266.6 million. In other words, according to the report, a good deal of charity fundraising actually “benefits principally the owners and staff of for-profit professional solicitors.” Read more

Animal Rights

Rhino Auction, Hunt Praised by Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont.–Controversy surrounds an upcoming fundraiser and hunt for a black rhinoceros, but the Boone and Crockett Club is praising both as positive moves for the future of a critically endangered game species.
During its Jan. 9-12 convention, Dallas Safari Club (DSC) will auction a rhino-hunting permit prescribed by biologists in Namibia. The hunt will be for an old, post-breeding, aggressive bull known to charge and kill younger bulls, cows and calves in Mangetti National Park. Removing these animals increases herd survival and productivity.
DSC expects the permit to bring at least $250,000, perhaps up to $1 million–with 100 percent of proceeds earmarked for Namibia’s rhino conservation efforts including anti-poaching patrols. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Poachers
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