GW: Once again, common sense prevails. Hunters are found to be the number one conservationsists through sustainable hunting practices that fund wildlife management.

Washington, DC – Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will allow the importation of 20 elephant hunting trophies annually from Zambia starting this 2011 hunting season. This historic announcement was made at the 2011 SCI Annual Hunters’ Convention in Reno, Nevada.

“After years of collaboration, the FWS has made the determination that sustainable hunting of elephants will contribute to the enhancement of the survival of elephants in Zambia,” said SCI Foundation President Joseph Hosmer. “As a form of sustainable-use, hunting is a key component of wildlife conservation and management worldwide. The SCI Foundation is very proud to be part of the announcement.”

A formal exchange between the FWS and the Zambian government was made on Thursday, Jan. 27 in conjunction with the SCI Foundation Department of Science-based Conservation and Research. The finding of enhancement by the FWS is a conclusion reached after many years of information sharing, including government to government meetings facilitated at the SCI Convention and the African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF).

Underwritten by the SCI Foundation, the AWCF convenes African governments, world renowned wildlife biologists, professional hunter associations and leading conservation NGOs to share information and discuss current wildlife management issues.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

When I ran across this statement defining “Fair Chase”, as it relates to hunting, I thought it would be appropriate to share it with you. To me, it defines the essence of a sportsman: “Fair Chase, as defined by the Boone and Crockett Club, is the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild, native North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals.”

Obviously, other forms of legal hunting exist that do not adhere to these standards, such as canned hunts or fenced-in hunting areas. Because of the nature of such hunts, an “improper” advantage could be gained over the animals. To a true sportsman, hunting is much more than that.

Certainly, proper and improper advantages can be debated beyond free-ranging and fenced-in game and here is where ethics comes into play. Once again, the Boone and Crockett Club gets it right: “Fundamental to all hunting is the concept of conservation of natural resources. Hunting in today’s world involves the regulated harvest of individual animals in a manner that conserves, protects, and perpetuates the hunted population. The hunter engages in a one-to-one relationship with the quarry and his or her hunting should be guided by a hierarchy of ethics related to hunting, which includes the following tenets”:

1. Obey all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Respect the customs of the locale where the hunting occurs.
3. Exercise a personal code of behavior that reflects favorably on your abilities and sensibilities as a hunter.
4. Attain and maintain the skills necessary to make the kill as certain and quick as possible.
5. Behave in a way that will bring no dishonor to either the hunter, the hunted, or the environment.
6. Recognize that these tenets are intended to enhance the hunter’s experience of the relationship between predator and prey, which is one of the most fundamental relationships of humans and their environment.

Today’s regulated hunting is a far cry from the days of market hunting in which populations of game animals were decimated to near extinction. No sportsman would take part in any endeavor that would not perpetuate the hunted game population; it would be self-defeating. The sportsman follows the guidelines set by wildlife biologists in a manner consistent with conservation.

To do otherwise would be analogous to Christmas tree farmers harvesting all the conifers and never replanting; they wouldn’t be in business very long. However, there are still whackos that cry foul when the trees are cut, never acknowledging that the abundance of trees would not exist except for demand of buyers and supply of those that cut the trees.

So, too, it is with the hunter/conservationist. While he is maligned by the extremists, he is largely responsible for the available game that is hunted through his payment of hunting and fishing license fees and substantial excise taxes on related equipment. And, he follows the rules so that his passion can be sustained for not only himself, but for future generations.

7/15/08

(Columbus) – A fact sheet that details the dangers of the nation’s largest and most active anti-hunting group is available from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
The educational fact sheet is part of the organization’s Sportsmen Against HSUS Campaign, designed to educate sportsmen and sportswomen, elected officials, media decision makers and the public at large about the nation’s largest animal rights group.

“Thousands of people each year donate millions of dollars to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) without truly knowing where their money is going,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Our idea is to give sportsmen the information they need to understand the dangers of the HSUS and its anti-hunting agenda and to pass the information on to friends and family.”

New members of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance will receive a copy of the HSUS FACT SHEET. Memberships start at $25. Go to www.ussportsmen.org and click on Join Now to become a U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance member.

Also, sportsmen who contribute one dollar to the fund will receive a fact sheet about HSUS that details the organization’s anti-hunting programs, its annual funding and other important facts.

Money collected will be used exclusively to continue the battle against the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and its animal rights campaign.

The Sportsmen Against HSUS drive will also fund campaigns that combat the public policy threats initiated and supported by the HSUS. The HSUS lobbying machine claims to have played a role in getting 86 different state laws passed in 2007 alone.

Sportsmen who wish to receive the FACT sheet or to otherwise contribute to the Sportsmen Against HSUS Fund may send their contribution to Sharon Hayden, Assistant Director of Communications Data, U.S. Sportsmen’s Aliance, 801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH, 43229.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

GW: More evidence of the mask of HSUS…

Thursday, December 23, 2010 1:45:43 PM

By Greg R. Lawson, Director of Communications, United States Sportsmen’s Alliance

Even with the controversy over the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) president’s recent comments about Michael Vick are raising eyebrows, the animal right’s group is on the verge of getting a quarter of a million dollars from Pepsi!

Many sportsmen will remember the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) alert that Pepsi was about to give $250,000 to HSUS through a monthly online voting contest at www.refresheverything.com.

As of press time, there is still no official announcement of the outcome; however, HSUS remains listed as a “finalist”. Barring something completely unforeseen, it looks very likely to receive a $250,000 grant.

In the meantime, it is important to reflect on what this means. HSUS basically continues to “mainstream” itself and works to sanitize its image.

The clever folks at HSUS know that it is unlikely they could raise millions upon millions of dollars if they are perceived as a big time lobbyist association. But, if they are seen to be “rescuing animals from cruelty in underserved areas,” which is the focus of the Pepsi grant, they will get people to open their wallets.

Will HSUS use the $250K to help rescued animals as their application indicates? Probably.

Of course, with over $150 million in assets, it seems strange that they really needed that $250,000 to do something so obvious to the countless local humane shelters across the nation. Why weren’t they spending that amount before?

It has been the topic of many articles and blogs that HSUS spends a small amount of that huge budget on direct animal care and spends the lion’s share on lobbying and campaigns.

We know that HSUS spent over $250,000 to defeat a pro-hunting constitutional amendment on the ballot in Arizona this November. They also spend many times that on other issues and lobbying efforts harmful to sportsmen.

Those are HSUS’ true colors. By potentially getting this grant, HSUS is merely able to reap the benefits of good PR while keeping their “stock of ammunition” aimed at sportsmen and farmers.

This means that many people will never look beneath the surface at the agenda of HSUS. They won’t pay attention to HSUS’ attacks on responsible dog breeders. They won’t pay attention to their efforts to oppose the delisting of many fully recovered animals from the Endangered Species List. They won’t pay attention to HSUS’ nationwide campaign of attacks on traditional farming practices.

Simply put, HSUS will appear as mainstream an organization as the Red Cross. And that is a danger. It’s a danger sportsmen, farmers and all citizens need to keep banding together to fight.

By the way, for those of you that are interested, it has come to the USSA’s attention that a group with a good cause is in the running for another $250,000 grant from Pepsi. The American Freedom Lodge is looking to buy and refurbish a cabin that will be used to house disabled veterans that the group takes on its annual deer and turkey hunts.

GW: For those questioning the tactics as I have aptly described in my recent column, here is some background…

May 9, 2008

(Columbus) -When regional retailer, Meijer, received pressure from sportsmen to sever ties with the animal rights extremists in the Humane Society of the Unites States (HSUS), some questioned why the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) acted to oppose the partnership.

“Most people simply don’t know that the HSUS is actually an animal rights organization that is opposed to any use of animals for the benefit of humans,” said USSA president and CEO Bud Pidgeon. “The public deserves to know the hidden agenda behind this is to deceive them.”

On April 24, 2008, HSUS, the world’s largest animal rights organization, announced a partnership with Meijer, a regional discount retail chain to raise $5,000 for the organization’s fund to address the purported problem of abandoned pets as a result of the national home foreclosure crisis.

The USSA, a national organization founded to protect the rights of sportsmen, responded with an alert asking hunters to contact the retailer to protest the partnership. Meijer quickly responded by canceling the arrangement. Since that time, some animal welfare activists have questioned why USSA would oppose a partnership alleged to benefit pets.

The Washington DC-based HSUS, raised $100 million dollars according to its 2006 IRS filing. Despite a name that seems tailor made to animal shelters, HSUS is in fact an animal rights organization. Its main function is to change laws that permit Americans to gain any benefit from animals. It advocates for restrictions on livestock farmers, bans on life-saving medical research performed on animals and opposes zoos, circuses and rodeos. Of course HSUS also opposes hunting. The HSUS does not operate or represent the local dog and cat shelters that exist across the United States.

“With a name like the Humane Society of the United States, it’s easy to see why some people believe that there is a connection between it and local animal shelters, which struggle every year to make ends meet,” explained Pidgeon. “HSUS spends the bulk of its money on making contributions to politicians, lobbying, lawyers and expensive 30-second advertisements to promote voter issues aimed at banning various uses of animals.”

The Humane Society uses campaigns, such as the Meijer campaign, as a public relations tool to help it raise its $100 million dollar war chest for its animal rights crusade. Evidence of this is contained within its leadership. Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the organization, is the former executive director of the Fund for Animals, which was the nation’s leading anti-hunting group. Upon accepting the executive job at HSUS, Pacelle announced a merger with the Fund for Animals and quickly hired its most ardent hunting opponents as his top management staff.

The HSUS then swallowed several anti-livestock organizations, hiring their leadership as well. Its takeover of the Doris Day Animal League has given it access to Hollywood dollars, previously the home turf of the radical People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Unlike PETA, however, Pacelle and HSUS are not interested in making a large public relations spectacle using naked models or making outrageous statements comparing the Holocaust to the slaughter of chickens. Instead, HSUS has launched a series of campaigns that put it in a positive light with animal lovers in general.

Such was the case in 2005, when HSUS created a fund to aid animals stranded as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Later, the Louisiana Attorney General’s office launched an investigation of HSUS when allegations surfaced that the money never made it to the pets in need.

In 2007 it launched a campaign to address the issue of so-called “puppy mills,” abusive large-scale commercial dog breeding operations. Using sentimental images of suffering puppies, the organization is backing legislation in Pennsylvania that would devastate small hobby breeders, dog show kennels and sporting dog enthusiasts. The legislation is so radical that it has been opposed by the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club and even dog rescue shelters in the state.

“Taking advantage of the American people’s love for their pets, HSUS is able to deceive donors and the public into believing that the organization is in the mainstream of American values,” said Pidgeon. “It is this mainstream image that allows HSUS to raise its 100 million dollar budget to take our hunting and fishing rights away. At the same time, by deceiving animal lovers, HSUS robs financially strapped dog and cat shelters of critical funds needed to actually look after abandoned and abused pets.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance recommends that people who want to help real animal shelters give to their local shelter organizations.

“Some animal rights groups masquerade as pet shelters, so donating to a local organization gives the contributor the opportunity to determine how their funds will actually be spent,” said Pidgeon.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

The animal rights group PETA may be stepping into some hot water in the Sooner state. The director of an Oklahoma animal park claims to have evidence that PETA used a former employee as a spy in order to give the park a black eye.

Joe Schreibvogel, the director of G.W. Exotic Animal Park, indicated he has a taped confession that proves PETA paid the employee to essentially act as a spy. Schreibvogel says the employee used an external hard drive to copy files from the park’s main computer and that he used a camera to take pictures that might be embarrassing. That camera was allegedly purchased for the employee by PETA.

The County Sheriff’s office is currently investigating the claims and whether any laws related to downloading of information were violated. As of press time, no arrests have been made or charges filed.

In quotes to the media, Schreibvogel states, “If they make it look like they’re rescuing our animals then more money goes to PETA.”

He also maintains that the park has received high marks over the last few years with all required state and federal inspections.

Chris Matthews says Obama will address the nation in a separate speech about more gun control soon.

“There is going to be a special presidential address on gun control. It has not been scheduled yet, but there is going to be one in the near future. So he is not overlooking it but I think they must have made a tactical decision that it would [become] the headline tonight and they are looking for an economic-jobs headline tonight. You can take it from me.

With a lot of the country, it is the issue. It makes no sense to some people in the suburbs and in the cities and perhaps some places in the rural areas. But in other areas, in western Pennsylvania, guns are it. I don’t think he wanted to depress the news that he is trying to make about jobs tonight.”

GW: This is good news from Buck Knives. I don’t like trying to figure out if products from American-based companies are being built in China – and, I’d rather not purchase them if they are. Buck has a fantatic product line. Its heat treating is unsurpassed and I carry one of its folders daily. The stainless steel is superior to most anything and can really hold an edge…

POST FALLS, IDAHO– It has been two years since Buck Knives first announced their American Commitment and now, after a full review, they have emphatically renewed that commitment for 2011 and the years ahead.

“We found it has been effective in every way,” said CJ Buck, president of the 108-year-old family knifemaking company. “Most important, it has been our small way of helping reverse a growing trend to move jobs offshore, while America has too many jobless workers.”

Buck went on to explain that their policy has resulted in healthy increases in their Idaho workforce. This was possible because they brought back to America the production of many knives they had been outsourcing. As a result, Buck built 30% more product in Idaho in 2010 than they did the year before, a significant measure of success.

“We are proud that 100% of all our many hunting knives are made right here in Post Falls,” Buck said. “Perhaps more meaningful, 93% of the many new products we have introduced for 2011 are being made in our plant.”

As a key factor, Buck cited the warmth of the positive response they have had from both consumers and dealers. He said they found that most customers definitely prefer an American-made knife, “especially if it has the Buck brand name on it.”

To further make the point, Buck said that even in what has been an essentially soft market for everyone, including knives, their sales volume and profitability have shown a significant gain since their American Commitment. “So we are both proud and happy to renew it,” he said.

GW: Why not? The bad guys already do it!

January 13, 2011, Introduced by Rep. LeBlanc and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

A bill to amend 1927 PA 372, entitled

“An act to regulate and license the selling, purchasing, possessing, and carrying of certain firearms and gas ejecting devices; to prohibit the buying, selling, or carrying of certain firearms and gas ejecting devices without a license or other authorization; to provide for the forfeiture of firearms under certain circumstances; to provide for penalties and remedies; to provide immunity from civil liability under certain circumstances; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to prohibit certain conduct against individuals who apply
for or receive a license to carry a concealed pistol; to make appropriations; to prescribe certain conditions for the appropriations; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act,” by amending section 5c (MCL 28.425c), as amended by 2002 PA 719; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 5c. (1) A license to carry a concealed pistol shall be in a form, with the same dimensions as a Michigan operator license, prescribed by the department of state police. The license shall contain all of the following:

(a) The licensee’s full name and date of birth.
(b) A photograph and a physical description of the licensee.
(c) A statement of the effective dates of the license.
(d) An indication of exceptions authorized by this act applicable to the licensee.
(e) An indication whether the license is a duplicate.

(2) Subject to section 5o and except Except as otherwise provided by law, a license to carry a concealed pistol issued by the county concealed weapon licensing board authorizes the licensee to do all of the following:

(a) Carry a pistol concealed on or about his or her person anywhere in this state.
(b) Carry a pistol in a vehicle, whether concealed or not concealed, anywhere in this state.

Enacting section 1. Section 5o of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.425o, is
repealed.

The crossbow is experiencing a level of popularity the likes of which it hasn’t seen since the legendary medieval days. Even during the era that followed, Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) and King James I (1603-1625) were said to be expert hunters with the crossbow.

Just think how history could possibly have changed had today’s crossbows been available then, along with the new Plano® Manta™ crossbow case to assure their handing down from generation to generation.

The growth spike in these unusual looking bows on a rifle-type stock can be attributed to many things, but leading the way is the fact that more and more states are relaxing their bowhunting regulations to make the crossbow a legal option for many archery seasons. As a result, several manufacturers have responded with state-of-the-art crossbows that are lighter, faster and more accurate than they’ve ever been. Plano has also kept up with the evolution.

“Without a doubt, today’s crossbows have advanced rapidly from new technology in engineering and materials,” said Jesse Simpkins, marketing vice president at Plano. “The newest designs quickly outdistanced our original crossbow case configuration, but our ingenious new Manta now offers the perfect casing solution for all of them. You can trust it to carefully protect your finest and most intricate crossbow, whether tossed in the back of a pickup bed or going through airline baggage handling.”

The Manta benefits from Plano’s long and illustrious history of making high-impact molded cases for providing safe and durable storage care for guns and bows. Featuring the company’s patented PillarLock™ system for crush-proof protection, the Manta is appropriately named after the sea rays it resembles, with their streamlined, winged forms and super efficient body parts.

The Plano Manta is designed for versatility, meaning most any style of crossbow can be secured down into the case’s customizable high-density foam padding in key impact areas for the ultimate protection of stock and limbs. It’s multiple tie-down locations and straps inside fit crossbows of all sizes and shapes to hold them securely in place.

The Manta’s “tail” adjusts as necessary for long and short tail stocks, further adding to the case’s flexibility in accommodating the country’s most popular crossbow brands and styles, including the Ten Point GT Mag, Excalibur Exomax, Darton Lightning, Horton Vision 175, Barnett Quad 400 and Ten Point Titan II.

The unique case measures 44.75” long when fully extended but can be collapsed to its shortest length of 33.125” for short-stocked crossbows. Its width is 38.75” and height is 13.125” and ships at the same shipping rate as the Plano 1131 crossbow case.

The case hinges at the front to open and close like a clam for easy bow placement and removal. The lid has a built-in storage area for holding bolts and a quiver. Heavy-duty latches on both sides of the tail provide positive closure. Two handles and a removable shoulder strap afford convenient options for carrying and handling the Manta.

Classy looking in its sleek styling and black color, the Manta model 1133 retails for around $99.99.

For more information on the Manta and to see the entire Plano lineup of products for hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts, visit www.PlanoMolding.com.