Today, April 15, 2011 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to remove gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes region from protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

The announcement to delist gray wolves is consistent with the petitions of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) and others that were filed last year requesting that the Service remove these animals from the ESA.

In its announcement, the Service points out that “wolf populations have met recovery goals and no longer need the protection of the Endangered Species Act.”  Additionally, the Service noted that wolf management plans in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin were adequate to manage gray wolf populations if removed from ESA protection.

The proposed rule to delist gray wolves should be officially published within the next few weeks. The proposed delisting rule will be subject to public review and comment.  That process usually takes another eight to 12 months for the Service to make a delisting rule final and actually remove a species from the list of endangered or threatened species.

However the Service’s announcement did not come without concerns.  It additionally announced that it is now recognizing another species of wolves – eastern wolves – and that it is moving forward to review their status.  Read more

“Express Yourself. Personalize your card with an image of your choice.”

That is the claim made by Capital One for anyone who wants to have a personal photo put on their credit card. You can even design it yourself online with a photo you upload.

But you can’t use a hunting photo. Capital One considers them unacceptable.

That’s what Lou Hinger of Hamburg, N.J., found out when she tried to design a credit card using a photo of her husband Frank, dressed in hunting gear, posing with a deer he had taken last hunting season.

Hinger received an e-mail from Capital One that said, in part:

“Sorry, we were unable to approve the image you submitted. We will not approve any images that contain the following: “Violence, hatred, or cruelty to humans or animals, profanity obscenities or any type of death imagery.”

“We are livid,” says Hinger, “as we are God-serving Americans who hunt to feed our family. In these economic times our family is fed by hunting, and it’s horrible to be associated with words like ‘hatred or violence.’

“I tried to call for an explanation twice; no one will get on the phone. Also, their terms are vague. However, someone took the time to specifically write that response pertaining to our image.

“Every American hunter should know about this,” Hinger continued. “Capital One says, ‘Express yourself’ in the image card. Hunting is the most important way my husband expresses himself.” Read more

Columbus – Federal Judge James S. Gwin has ruled in favor of sportsmen by denying a lawsuit aimed at closing hunting on dozens of units of the 100 million acre National Wildlife Refuge System.

This long running case began in 2003 when the Fund for Animals, which later merged with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), filed a lawsuit to stop hunting on 39 refuges. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with other organizations, intervened on behalf of sportsmen. Anti hunting groups later expanded the lawsuit to include more 50 refuges.

Judge Gwin’s ruling stops HSUS’ attempt at using the National Environmental Policy Act to close hunting on these refuges. Read more

The coalition includes the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, and Pope and Young Club.

The groups support this initial step toward state management of recovered wolves and the clear assertion by Congress that recovered wildlife should be delisted from the ESA. The groups also note that other states have recovered wolf populations that have not yet been delisted and urge Congress to actively pursue delisting for those states also. Read more

Yes it came from the White House!   Larry Summers, White House economic advisor said  that the deal between the President and GOP to keep taxes low (which Obama had been fighting against) will not only jump start the economy but will increase government revenue in the long run.  

Here is the quote.   “The deficit will be higher in the short run and lower in the long run because of this bill.”   “Lower in the long run for two reasons-because the front loading of business allowances means more revenue collections after 2012 and because the extra economic growth lifts the economy, which in turn lifts tax collections.”   Yes, this is the official statement from the White House economic advisor.  

GW:  Additionally, the liberal left always wants to tax the rich and complains about the Bush tax cuts for “the rich.”  Here are the facts, which is alluded to above by the Democrats:  Before the Bush tax cuts for all Americans, the top 1 percent of wage earners paid 32 percent of this country’s taxes; after the tax cut, the percentage increased to 40 percent.

What the left fails to understand is that lowering taxes brings in more revenue to the government and creates wealth – the only goal of an economy.  When jobs are shipped over seas, it is precisely because of this country’s taxation and regulation stances.

By Glen Wunderlich

Noise pollution.  What is it good for?  Absolutely nothing!  When it comes to firearms, it comes with the territory.  Why the common man does not have the ability in Michigan to suppress the ear-damaging noise of guns is beyond me.  But, if you attach a sound suppressor to your firearm in this state, you’d be guilty of a felony, unless you have a Title II firearms license for machine guns, sound suppressors, and destructive devices. 

Recently, the State of Washington has allowed its citizens the option of using sound suppressors on their firearms, and believe it or not, even the state sheriffs and police chiefs supported the measure.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Bryan Blake, a Democrat says “Hollywood movies have stigmatized the silencers.  They show them as the bad guys’ guns.”  But, if it were actually true, there’d be a push to overturn the legal use of sound suppressors in the 30+ states that currently allow them.  But, the silence is deafening. 

That’s not to say everyone likes the idea.  “We are disappointed,” said Washington Ceasefire member Michael Martin. His group is working to decrease gun violence.  I guess I just don’t see the connection, but then again, I’m probably not as much of a movie buff as Mr. Martin.

However, there is a connection to hearing loss when big bores go boom without adequate ear protection.  It’s happened enough to me to know.  And, if sound suppressors could save the hearing of just one individual, I’m all for it.  (Sorry, gun grabbers, for stealing your rhetoric.)

Even in the 34 or so of states that permit sound suppressors, there’s a hefty price to pay beyond the cost of the hardware itself.  In 1934 a tax of $200 was levied on the gun mufflers and the tax is still in place today.  Extensive background checks are also mandated.  And skirting the law by owning a sound suppressor, which is not properly registered and taxed, is a violation of federal tax code (tax evasion) a felony punishable by large fines and up to ten years in prison.  That’s serious stuff, as anyone familiar with Al Capone’s demise will attest.  Unless your name is Timothy Geithner, you’d better not try it.

Legitimate users for today’s sound suppressors include animal control officers, and contractors in municipalities, parks, and airports.  It’s all about public relations.  Although the majority of states consider target shooting a legitimate use ,Michigan does not. 

As we continue to run out of land, neighbors get closer and closer.  While Michigan law defines a safety zone as an area within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling, house, cabin, or any barn or other building used in a farm operation, hunting and shooting requires written permission of the owner or occupant of such safety zone.  Not so with target shooting and the discharge of firearms. 

There’s no way to be polite with the sound of gunfire when neighbors are within earshot distance.  Public relations should not be the sole privilege of government entities, nor should hearing protection be limited to the select. 

There simply is no legitimate reason why someone willing to pay the fee and be subjected to intense governmental scrutiny, shouldn’t have the right to a little less noise for himself and those around him.