[HUNTING HERITAGE]
Hunting on refuges must be given priority
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Photo by Matt Lindler |
A federal court overturned an attempt to ban hunting on portions of the 100 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, again affirming that hunting is an activity that cannot be denied.
Federal Judge James S. Gwin ruled in favor of hunters by denying a lawsuit targeting hunting on dozens of units of the refuge system.
The case began in 2003 when the Fund for Animals — which later merged with the Humane Society of the United States — sued to stop hunting on 39 refuges. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation, along with other organizations, intervened on behalf of sportsmen. Anti-hunting groups later expanded the lawsuit to include 50 more refuges.
Gwin's ruling stops HSUS's attempt at using the National Environmental Policy Act to close hunting on these refuges. The judge noted the "plaintiffs are not entitled to an inviolate sanctuary for their preferred uses … Congress has determined that, to the extent possible, hunters, fishers, observers, photographers and educators must share the refuges."
The ruling relied heavily on language in the 1997 Refuge Improvement Act, which made hunting, fishing and other wildlife-oriented activities priority uses on refuge units. The act also mandated hunting and fishing activities be "facilitated."
"The majority of refuges were created to be open to hunting, but relentless attacks by anti-hunting groups forced Congress to spell it out in law," said Rob Sexton, USSAF vice president for government affairs. "Now, the courts have once again ruled that hunting is a priority use of refuge land wherever and whenever compatible with wildlife management."
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 empowered the Fish and Wildlife Service to open refuges to hunting when compatible with the purposes for which the refuges were established. In 1997, National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act went a step further. It ensures that refuges are managed for wildlife conservation and that hunting and fishing are priority public uses on refuge units.
— U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
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Photo by Matt Lindler |
Iowa dove bill helps hunters, conservationists
When Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed the state's Dove Bill into law in March, he officially granted the Iowa Department of Natural Resources authority to set a hunting season for mourning doves just as the agency does for all other game species.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources projects that 20,000 Iowa dove hunters could generate a $6.9 million boost to the state's economy, as well as $462,000 in sales taxes.
This is the second major victory for conservation and hunting in Iowa within the past six months.
In November 2010, the first victory was won with the passage of an amendment that established a constitutionally protected Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to preserve Iowa's land, water and wildlife resources and outdoor recreational opportunities. Sixty-three percent of Iowans voted in favor of the amendment.
The amendment will allow three-eighths of 1 percent of a sales tax increase to be dedicated to the trust fund, but does not increase the sales tax now. An estimated $150 million may be generated for the trust fund annually if the Iowa General Assembly imposes a future sales tax increase.
South Carolina HuNTers help stall faulty legislation
Sportsmen and conservationists averted legislation that could have damaged wild turkey populations and hindered the effectiveness of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
While appearing to benefit hunters at first glace, House Bill 4141 would have lengthened the turkey season in the Piedmont and mountain regions of South Carolina by two weeks — similar to the season length in the coastal plain.
Of course, turkey hunters would like more time to hunt our favorite species, but as Robert Abernethy, NWTF assistant vice president of agency programs, explained to the House Wildlife Subcommittee, turkey populations are down significantly, so adding any additional time to the season could seriously affect the sustainability of wild turkeys in the state.
"Extending the hunting season when reproduction and harvest levels are off about 33 percent from 10 years ago is just a bad idea," Abernethy said. "The legislators had good intentions to give sportsmen more opportunities to hunt, but they just weren't aware of the effect this could have on an already suffering turkey population."
The second bill that stalled in subcommittee was House Bill 3049. Sponsored by Rep. Alan Clemmons (R-107), Rep. Joseph Daning (R-92), Rep. G. Murrell Smith Jr. (R-67) and Rep. Shannon Erickson (R-124), it would have moved the administration of the Department of Natural Resources to the governor's cabinet, relegated the DNR Board to an advisory position and made the department director a governor appointed position.
The current structure ensures the board is made of representatives from throughout the state and the board appoints the department director. While the governor appoints the board with approval from the senate, the existing hierarchy ensures politics and emotion are minimized in the decision making of the DNR, and biology and science take priority. Converting it to a cabinet agency would remove the political filter in place, reducing the agency's ability to scientifically manage the state's natural resources.
Several organizations spoke against this legislation, including the NWTF, South Carolina Camo Coalition, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and South Carolina BassMasters. A grassroots letter-writing campaign inundated the offices of the subcommittee members prior to the meeting. — Matt Lindler
Gun poll winner selected
In the March/April issue of Turkey Country, we asked readers to let us know how they advocate for gun rights. The winner was David Odorizzi of Staunton, Ill., who eloquently describes his passion for the Second Amendment. Odorizzi will receive a few gifts from the Turkey Country prize closet. Here's his response, edited for length:
I was pleased to see the hunter and gun rights question asked in your March/April edition. This issue sticks in my craw a lot when speaking to some fellow hunters.
I feel a large majority of hunters believe they are above the law and don't pay attention to what's happening in Washington or their state government because, "We're hunters, not criminals. They're not after our guns!" Quite a few refuse to belong to national or state Second Amendment watchdog groups, because they feel the organizations cater to a certain political party.
My belief is that all hunters are firearm owners (the largest group in the country), and they should, at minimum, belong to the NRA or a state level group. Hunters need to use their voting power when addressing firearm issues to state and federal candidates. It's worked before; it will work again.
I am an Endowment Member of the National Rifle Association. I belong to and support the Illinois State Rifle Association and am chairman of a Friends of NRA chapter in my hometown. I attend many Friends of NRA banquets and the State NRA Foundation Grant meetings. I belong to the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources, another watchdog group for sportsmen and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
I hope other hunters will realize that our Second Amendment rights are being stalked, hunted and desired to be taken by some, just like an adult gobbler is for us.
New York lowers archery hunting age to 12
Twelve- and 13-year-olds in New York who wish to bowhunt for big game may now apply for a Youth Archery License.
In an important Families Afield success, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed Assembly Bill A02021 into law in May, which allows youth 12 to 16 to bowhunt for big game as long as they have a Youth Archery License and are accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years or older who has hunted big game with a bow for at least three years. The law previously set the minimum age at 14.
Congratulations to the Families Afield partners and the NWTF's New York State Chapter for their efforts in continuing to break down barriers to introducing youth to hunting.