ThinkingAfield.org

No big surprise here. Anti- hunters will be able to claim how right they were, when their own self-fulfilling prophecy comes true and the lack of hunter dollars leads to the polar bears’ demise…Glen Wunderlich

While the newly installed Administration gains its sea legs, it has already made a decision that negatively impacts hunters and conservation funding for polar bears.

In the first significant decision by the new Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said that it will continue banning the import of polar bear trophies from Canada. The announcement was made of February 24, 2009.

Last year, polar bears were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The designation came as a result of a lawsuit threat by environmental organizations that claimed polar bear numbers will decline. Biologists of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said such a decline might be as far away as fifty years because of possible global warming and shrinking arctic ice.
The USSA has consistently argued against the designation. It does nothing to deal with the alleged cause of possible future decline. Additionally, the USSA has made clear that by banning the importation of trophies, conservation dollars generated from applicable fees will dry up.

This FWS decision was immediately hailed by the leading anti-hunting group in the country, the Humane Society of the United States and its legislative wing, the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF). In typical fashion, the HSLF used overblown rhetoric when praising the Obama Administration without explaining how reducing conservation funding is going to help better manage polar bear populations.

As previously reported, the USSA has worked with U.S. Representative Don Young (R- AK), who has introduced legislation in Congress to amend the relevant statutes hijacked by anti’s. Young’s bills, HR 1054 and HR 1055 allow for the importation of existing and new polar bear trophies. Both bills guarantee a restoration of conservation funds currently lost.

The USSA will continue supporting the bills.

Gun-free zones have long been the criminals’ place of choice when carrying out the most abhorent crimes. Schools, churches – anywhere guns have been prohibited – offer sanctuaries for scum to carry out their heinous acts. Michigan House Bill 4348 recently introduced provides 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.

A similar bill had gone nowhere and it’s too early to know if this one has a chance at passage. It seems much too sensible for the vast majority of politicians to get behind but stranger things have happened.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

I wrote this column a year ago but the audacity seems quite relevant to today’s demagogues.

Approximately 40 miles of Pacific Ocean separate the mainland of Santa Barbara, California from once-privately owned Santa Rosa Island, the crown jewel of the Channel Islands National Park. The island, purchased with $30 million of taxpayers’ money, is home to 1100 Roosevelt Elk and Kaibab Mule Deer, which were imported to the island by the private owners some 75 years ago. Since that time, the non-native species have coexisted with various flora and fauna and have remained free from any diseases common to their cousins elsewhere. The following question has arisen since ownership has changed hands: Should the park be protected and open to all Americans year-round or should it also be made available to hunters to manage the elk and deer population? In a clever manipulation of power, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and Congresswoman Lois Capps (all Democrats from California) have arranged for the extermination of all of these magnificent animals. None will survive.

Typically, one would count these left-leaning liberals on the side of the animals, along with animal rights groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Just look what happened here in Michigan when a mourning dove hunting season had been established and then abolished – thanks to the fiery emotional appeal fueled by millions of “animal-loving” HSUS dollars on behalf of the migratory birds. One would think that over a thousand elk and deer would warrant as much support but the silence of HSUS and PETA has been deafening.

While scratching my head, I began a review of the Congressional Record of May 14, 2007 and learned of California Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter’s attempt to save the animals from complete annihilation. Although a court-ordered extermination had been handed down, the assistance of the National Rifle Association (NRA) helped Representative Hunter to enact a law in 2006 protecting the healthy elk and deer on the island for visitors to enjoy. However, the National Park Service inexplicably pushed for the government-mandated aerial slaughter of the non-native elk and deer and Senator Feinstein obliged it by in including total eradication language in a 2008 fiscal year Omnibus Appropriations Bill that trumped the 2006 law to keep the animals alive on the island.

Here is what Representative Duncan Hunter said in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on June 13, 2006: “All we want is about two weeks a year for the paralyzed veterans to come over. I would be happy to stipulate that no congressman, no VIPs. Only people who are paralyzed veterans, who are very disabled veterans…They could have the adventure of a lifetime. And, you know something, they may be wheelchair-bound but their spirits are free; they like adventure. This is a great place to take your family. And, this could be a special niche for those people. And, you know something else? The people of the United States, if the taxpayers knew that this was going to be used by paralyzed veterans, they’d say fine.” He added that the park service could easily accommodate the veterans and then elaborated. “Listen, the reason the park people have their nice jobs and the reasons we, as members of the American public, get to enjoy national parks is because of people who wear uniforms who go out in dangerous parts of the world and secure our freedom. So let in some paralyzed veterans, many of whom have been injured in combat, to come have a small piece of this island that almost nobody goes to anyway, is a small repayment for their service to our country. I think the taxpayers would appreciate that.”

While the liberals claim to support the troops, they sure have a funny way of showing it. And, those radicals in support of animal rights have proven that their agenda is less about animal welfare than it is about the elimination of hunting. It’s that simple.

A buttonquail, thought to have been extinct, was recently photographed in the Phillipines and then sold as food. Mmmmm good!

Some complain that this may have been the last living specimen of the species but if there were, in fact, only one left, why not one tasty, happy meal?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/02/090218-extinct-bird-photo.html

House Bill 4156 would allow Concealed Pistol License holders the option to carry tasers.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/htm/2009-HIB-4156.htm

A Colorado man claimed that his dog accidentally shot itself; later he claimed he shot it between the eyes by accident. His dog’s not talking.

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_11735862

Open carry of handguns is legal in many areas of our country; however, police will still spoil one’s day by arresting such law-abiding citizens for disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct. Seems more fitting to arrest those crying wolf because of it.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/39722082.html

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) couldn’t be happier with the formation of a new group of Congressmen that will promote its agenda.

On February 18, U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D- VA) and Elton Gallegy (R- CA) announced the formation of a new Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. The goal of the group is to get like-minded members of Congress together and promote animal rights policy in Washington, D.C. through forums and briefings.

According to the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), the legislative wing of the HSUS, the new caucus will “take lawmaking for the animals to the next level.” HSLF went on to gush in its blog, “we could not be more excited about their leadership of this new organization of humane lawmakers.”

HSUS President and CEO, Wayne Pacelle was also prominently quoted in Rep. Moran’s press release announcing the caucus’ formation.

Pacelle stated, “The newly constituted Congressional Animal Protection Caucus will help better align our federal policies with public opinion, and we are excited to work closely with its leaders and with the entire Congress to combat cruelty and abuse.”

As of press time, a full list of other U.S. Representatives joining the caucus was not available. However, the USSA will let sportsmen know as the names become available. Each member of the caucus should be contacted by constituents in their districts.

Representatives should be made aware of HSUS’ radical anti-hunting agenda. They also need to be aware that sportsmen expect their representatives not to kowtow to that agenda.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Contact: Joel Sheltrown
Toll-free: 1-888-347-8103

(LANSING) State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) today introduced legislation to place an issue before voters that would allow a portion of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to be used for wildlife and fisheries habitat improvement and management. The measure would also increase the amount of revenue available annually from the fund.

“Despite the importance hunting and fishing has in Michigan and its impact on the state’s economy, Michigan is near the bottom nationally in support of its conservation programs,” Sheltrown said. “An increase in state general fund revenue is unrealistic given the state’s continued budget deficits. Imposing new fees or increasing existing fees above the rate of inflation to make up shortfalls is counterproductive to the long-term viability of hunting and fishing programs. There has to be a different solution.”

Sheltrown’s solution would create a ballot proposal to dedicate half of Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund annual expenditures for the development and management of habitat for game and sport fisheries including the stocking of game and fish. The remaining half would continue to fund the acquisition of land and development of public recreation facilities. Currently, three-quarters of the fund is used for acquisition purposes and one quarter is used for development.

The ballot proposal drafted by Sheltrown would also increase the amount of money available annually from one third of revenue deposited into the Trust Fund each year to one half of the money deposited. It would continue to allow the full amount of annual interest and other earnings to be spent. Based on 2008 spending, Sheltrown’s ballot proposal would provide $36 million for wildlife and fisheries habitat and management and $18 million each for land acquisition and public recreational facility development. Last year, approximately $12 million was spent for development and $36 million was spent on acquisition of new state lands.

“I understand there may be some concerns about reducing funding for the acquisition of new state land,” Sheltrown explained. “But local governments are complaining already about the DNR’s inability to meet its Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) obligations on the land it already owns. The upside is that this proposal would increase recreational development funding of existing public land by 50% and most importantly would fully fund wildlife and fisheries programs without the need for new fee increases.”

Based on 2008 figures, the Sheltrown proposal would provide wildlife and fisheries habitat funding at an amount equal to 58% of the total budget for the DNR’s Wildlife and Fisheries divisions. This surpasses the amount currently contributed by hunting and fishing license fee revenue and is seventeen times the amount currently contributed to those two divisions through the state’s general fund.

“The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has been a triumph of smart government. Since its implementation in 1976, the fund has contributed nearly $700 million in grant funding for land acquisition and recreational development,” Sheltrown said. “As the fund now nears its statutory maturity, the resources are available to expand on its success by guaranteeing a perpetual source of revenue for Michigan hunting and fishing programs long into the future. If this ballot issue is approved by voters in November 2010, it will make Michigan a national leader in conservation programs without the need for new fee increases.”

Major Victory for American Workers Right to Self-Defense

Fairfax, Va. – Today, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in support of allowing employees to store legally owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots. This decision upholds NRA-backed legislation passed in 2004.

“This is a victory for the millions of American workers who have been denied the right to protect themselves while commuting between their homes and their workplace,” said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. “This effort was aimed at skirting the will of the American people, and the intent of legislatures across this country while eviscerating Right-to-Carry laws. This ruling is a slap at the corporate elitists who have no regard for the constitutional rights of law abiding American workers.”

In March 2004, the Oklahoma legislature passed an amendment holding employers criminally liable for prohibiting employees from storing firearms in locked vehicles on company property. A number of corporations subsequently filed suit in opposition to the new laws, alleging they were: unconstitutionally vague; an unconstitutional taking of private property; and preempted by various federal statutes. The lower court ruled in favor of the injunction.

“This issue was contrived by the gun control lobby who goaded corporations into doing their dirty work for them,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. “However, this ruling is a vindication for every hardworking and lawful man and woman whose basic right to self-defense was taken away on a whim by corporate lawyers. NRA is prepared to defend this right and to ensure the safety of every American worker.”

In October 2008, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals the lower court decision to strike down the NRA-backed worker protection laws. Today’s proceedings handed down by Circuit Judges Paul J. Kelly, Bobby R. Baldock, and Michael W. McConnell reversed the lower court’s grant of a permanent injunction.