Conservative Hunters And Fishermen Back Climate Change Legislation

Hunters and fishers, afraid that global warming could hamper their favorite pastime, have stepped into the lobbying fray for climate change legislation.

Reuters reports that the typically Republican hunting and angling constituency could play a crucial role in pushing Senate GOP votes in favor of the Boxer-Kerry climate change bill. The Dallas Safari Club, the National Trappers Association and Pheasants Forever were among the 20 national hunting and fishing groups who signed a letter to lawmakers asking that they ensure "the climate legislation you consider in the Senate both reduces greenhouse gas emissions and safeguards national resources."

Fears about declines in animal populations are mobilizing sportsmen, reports environmental news site Grist.Org. For example, many fear that fowl may not migrate as far south if northern U.S. states become warmer. Grist reports that disappearing wetlands could quickly translate into declines in ducks, salmon and trout and changing habitats could kill off deer, elk and quail among other animals.

From Reuters:

"If you go out and hunt at the same time in the same season and the same place every year, then you understand the changes that are happening," said Jeremy Symons, senior vice president for conservation at the National Wildlife Federation.

The National Wildlife Federation estimates 42 million American hunt or fish --- wildlife recreation is a $172 billion piece of the economy.

Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever's vice president of government affairs, stands firmly in favor of climate change legislation, according to the group's Web site.

Pheasants Forever chapters and other conservation groups have been working on climate change for decades. We've just called it by another name - habitat conservation.

A few lawmakers have won over members of their conservative constituency by holding outdoor-themed fundraisers this year, according to PoliticalPartyTime.Org. Rep. Health Shuler of North Carolina held a March quail hunting fete at a Georgia plantation and Sen. John Cornyn went along with lobbyists on a dove hunt in September.

Comments

[bobo5]

Who eats goat stew? Mexicans have birria. Americans don't eat goat.

[rosiebond007]

THESE HUNTERS NEED TO SPEAK LOUDER

[sushi27]

Must have been hard for these staunch republican hunters/gun advocates to come out for a democratic stand - bully for them. I am a democrat who also grew up hunting and fishing and am glad my old friends are finally seeing the light.

[jon86]

This doesn't actually surprise me that much. Generally hunters and fishers are pretty responsible when it comes to nature and wildlife (there are always a few bad apples, where isn't that true?). Its big companies that are most responsible for basic destruction of the environment, not to mention cruelty to animals.

[MJinCanada]

Bless their gun-totin' pheasant-pluckin' little hearts!

I just knew the boys and girls who play outdoors wouldn't be climate change deniers.

[mrpuddles]

The hunters and fishers are involved because of the changes they DO see, not the changes to come. Fish stocks have all but disappeared in some areas; same with game and it is not due to development.
The polar ice cap is melting; development has caused that?
Believe it or not, hunters and fishers have a love for the land and a lot of them are involved with conservation of species.

[johnnygoodwud]

to bad that photo couldn't be flipped, with the goat carrying the guy on his rack

[MajorKong]

Development is a much greater threat to hunting than "tree huggers".

It's tough to hunt in a strip-mall parking lot.

[MaggieMamacat]

"It's tough to hunt in a strip-mall parking lot."

That sounds like a potential plot for a summer movie!

[northstar11]

when you are in the bush and have bagged a dear ---do not carry it on your shoulders ----many hunters drink a little when hunting and one of them may think the have spotted some game and take a shot--and kill you

if you insist on the shoulder carry------have the sense to at least put on the florescent jacket.

[AJH]

Common use of the land leads to a common love for the land. Hopefully environmentalists will remember that they really aren't that far from conservationists and that there is great value in continuing a broad variety of use practices to make sure nature is protected.

[springsm]

That is probably stretching it abit...but if they will fight for the environnment so they can kill some more...I guess that is a good thing. Broad variety of legal use is good.

[MJinCanada]

Ducks Unlimited puts a lot of time and money into preserving wetlands. If all they want in return is a few mornings of getting wet and cold for the sake of a duck dinner, that's fine.

[Littlewords]

Wow...how'd they get an action photo of a lobbyist actually carrying their local GOP congressman on their back?

[bighat]

Climate Change

Is there anything the U.S. can do where it would not be taxed by the floating climate treaties present or past. If we closed every refinery. Outlawed manufacturing of any kind from steel to making fertilizer to the auto industry and if everyone who could get by w/o car did would the U.S. still be taxed.

Do we want to give up refineries (not just oil into gas/diesel but oil into all the multitude of products that come from oil. Do we want to send all our refining and manufacturing to other countries.

Would the U.S. simple be left as country where ideas are born but then we must go to other countries to make them happen.

Who is in charge. Who is to say if the U.S. is in compliance or not. The world court.. Will the U.S. be giving up its sovereignty.

Does war make a difference. What if Iran or NKorea bombs anyone. What if the nuclear plant in Venezuela blows up. Do the same rules still apply. Will we be taxed more for producing the materials and equipment needed to possibly save the world or parts of it.

What will happen to the world if the bureaucracies of many nations run the world. Will one small nation annihilate many other nations while the other nations are contemplating on the cost to the environment or just surrendering.

[ariveria]

let see what we can do

"Is there anything the U.S. can do where it would not be taxed by"

lets try it again ---- what taxes are you talking about

"Would the U.S. simple be left as country where ideas are born but then we must go to other countries to make them happen."

pretty much what has happened in the last 30+ year why dont you complain to all the companies that moved overseas.

"Who is in charge. Who is to say if the U.S. is in compliance or not. The world court.. Will the U.S. be giving up its sovereignty."

most likely there would be some type of treaty. according to the constitution of the good ole us of a the senate would vote on it then it would be the law of the land. so the executive branch would enforce the law and the courts would decide.

"Does war make a difference. What if Iran or NKorea bombs anyone. What if the nuclear plant in Venezuela blows up. Do the same rules still apply. Will we be taxed more for producing the materials and equipment needed to possibly save the world or parts of it."

what taxes are you talking about

"a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth"
glenn beck
information czar fox news
the view 5/20/09

[Johnniedog]

Another thing that turns my crank is the association of Hunters and Fishermen as being Conservative. I live in the country on ten acres, with a river running through my back yard. All of my friends are Hunters and Fishermen.....and Democrats.....and Liberals. We are all on board with conservation and beating the threat of Global Warming. Hell, Ed Schultz is a Huntin', Fishin', Gun totin', red meat eatin Democrat just like me. We don't run or belong to too many hunting Clubs and associations because they have been taken over by Republican nuts.

[swengnikaerb]

Hear hear!! Hunting and g.uns are not exclusive GOP territory.

[MJinCanada]

Duly noted.

[rockyb26]

politics makes strange bedfellows

[305Rider]

Yes it does.

[joshuahmcdonald]

While I completely agree, this makes it perfectly clear to anyone paying attention that Climate Change and our response to it are no longer political issues to be argued about but are simply fact which needs to be addressed in the best interest of humanity and all other life on this planet.

Seriously people! All it takes is a little common sense to understand that something must be done...even hunters get it.

[Philclock]

To the Church of Climate Change, no thanks, my religious donations go to the local parish of my Protestant Church affiliation.

[factotem]

And what on earth are they doing for you?

[force fed up]

Saving his soul from an imaginary land of fire and brimstone?

[2008CaliforniaFan]

Maybe they are sending the money over to Africa...?

To support those ' Witch Dr's ' that were in Huffpo's story from yesterday.
Abusing and hurting little kids... what Bible is THAT in...?

[Philclock]

Tuning me in to a real prophet, not a false one.