On National Hunting and Fishing Day, Hunters Should Walk the Conservation Talk

This Saturday is no cause to celebrate at The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund. However, on this National Hunting and Fishing Day we are happy to lend our voice and remind Americans of outdoor activities that definitely are not hunting.

Sport hunters, let's remember, are quick to claim concern about conservation. Indeed, the whole purpose of having a National Hunting and Fishing Day, according to its organizers, is to celebrate "good conservation."

On this Saturday, let's recognize that "good conservation" cannot be claimed -- or faked. It must be earned. That's why I have been heartened to see reasonable hunting groups stand up and condemn the extremists within their ranks -- take, for example, the "Real Conservation" website by the American Hunters and Shooters Association, which exposes the NRA as a corporate shill for anti-conservation interests.

We do need good conservation, and here are six simple suggestions for sport hunters to start making good on that goal for 2008. They can help rid our landscape of these abhorrent practices that no conservation-minded American can support:

One: Confining animals, usually exotic species, in pens and then selling shooting rights to people who want a shortcut to a trophy is not hunting. Sometimes this reprehensible activity is referred to as "canned hunting," but really it's captive killing, plain and simple. Our members are grateful that millions of hunters agree with us. We encourage more of you to join with us in abolishing these awful enterprises.

Two: Killing polar bears, now listed on the endangered species list as "threatened," is not hunting either. It's madness. These great animals are the modern canaries-in-the-mineshaft for climate change. Their world of ice is melting underfoot. Who but the most uncaring and selfish would presume to add to their struggles? To extremists groups like Safari Club International we say: which are you for, really? Are you for "conservation" as you claim? Or merely the crass "right" to shoot endangered animals?

Three: Using lead ammo is not hunting: It's systematic poisoning of our environment.  The same goes for lead sinkers and fishing. Lead is another instance in which hunters and fishermen face the 21st Century test: Are you conservationists or just willful polluters? America took lead out of paint a long time ago. Lead is gone from gasoline. It's high time that hunters and fishermen get out of the low business of lead. Already, efforts to reintroduce the great California condor are floundering because these animals feed on gut piles containing lead shot.

Four: Aerial gunning is not hunting and it has no -- emphasize NO--legitimate place in the management of wildlife. We're thinking about Alaska here, where the state has embarked on frightful military-esque aerial assault on wolves to try and artificially inflate the populations of caribou and moose. We urge right-thinking Alaskans to turn in their hunting licenses and demand a refund until this bloody campaign ends. Otherwise, they forfeit any claim to be conservationists.

Five: Participating in a shark-killing tournament is not fishing. It's slaughter. Once again extremists who fly the flag of "sportsmanship" show their true anti-conservation colors by killing animals whose global survival is in jeopardy. Contest killing, whether at sea or on land, has no place in a civilized society.

Six: When you turn wild animals into bait for bloodsport, folks, you are most definitely not hunting. "Hounding," as it's sometimes called, fosters a trade in captured wild animals -- chiefly foxes and coyotes. The once free-ranging creatures are transported hundreds of miles, and then dumped into pens so that dogs can tear them to pieces. Conservation? Ha.

The U.S. Congress is consideration legislation to address several of these very problems--the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), the Polar Bear Protection Act by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the Wildlife Penning Prohibition Act by Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.). On this National Hunting and Fishing Day, it's time for sport hunters to walk the talk of good conservation by endorsing these common-sense reforms.

Follow Michael Markarian on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mmarkarian

Comments

[Thirdpower]

GuyRC opined:

"That document does not tie the AHSA to the DC gun ban. "

So the Amicus Brief stating the DC gun ban was a 'laudable effort" and stated that a law w/ similar effects (ie no self defense, highly restrictive measures, etc.) could pass constitutional muster doesn't tie the AHSA to the DC gun ban?

Right.

An organization that openly works w/ groups that want to ban guns and stop hunting and which endorses a politician w/ a long history of anti-gun measures is an anti-gun/hunting group. You can close your ears and yell LALALALA all you want but that doesn't make it any more true.

You are unable to find ANYTHING that the AHSA has done to actually support hunters or shooters (no real surprise, they've DONE nothing) so you keep having to drag the NRA red herring across the screen.

[GuyRC]

You are the one who is dragging the AHSA around as a red herring.

If you are a hunter who thinks the some gun control is acceptable and supports the idea that conservation of habitat for wildlife is a good idea you should reconsider sending money to the NRA.

[Thirdpower]

Obviously you still haven't read the article. Mr. Markarian is the one who uses the AHSA as a source . I pointed out that the AHSA has done NOTHING to support hunters and/or shooters except to attack the NRA. It supports gun bans, works w/ anti-gun organizations, and its leadership has supported politicians/groups who are also anti-gun/hunting.

You oppose that but can offer nothing to support your claims.

So, to paraphrase you "Why should I believe you instead of what the evidence says?"

Where is the AHSA's equivalent to the Whittington Center? How much hunting land has it gotten opened up?

[mh01]

I will grant you numbers 1,2 & 6 I agree.

#3, I think the effect of lead shot on the overall environment or lead weights to fishing populations is minimal to almost non-existant. With that said, I still use steel shot for waterfowl, and advancements are being made in other metals for shot and weights, which I am happy to use, even if it costs more.

#4, Its not fair to demote legitimate hunters to a class of Non-conser­vationists­, just because they don't turn in their licenses in protest of wolf hunting that they don't do. Should we force drivers who don't drive drunk to turn in their licenses until all other people don't drive drunk?

#5 Shark fishing contests may look shocking, however they are not the reason shark populations are dropping, the number of sharks killed in these tournament is very low, and the carcasses are usually given to marine biologists for study.

Perhaps someone at huffpo should write and article talking about all the good that sportsmen do for conservation?

[GuyRC]

#3 "Millions of pounds of lead used in hunting, fishing and shooting sports wind up in the environment each year and can threaten or kill wildlife, according to a new report from the U.S. Geological Survey."
http://www.livescience.com/environment/080712-lead-shot.html

#4 you are required by law to have a drivers license to drive. you are not required to give money to the NRA to hunt and shoot. If you don't agree with the political agenda of the NRA don't send them money, contrary to what they say, the majority of gun-control americans are not out to take away your hunting and shooting rights.

#5 is trophy hunting endangered animals what you do?

[Thirdpower]

"you are required by law to have a drivers license to drive. you are not required to give money to the NRA to hunt and shoot. "

Who's talking about the NRA? You do realize most states require hunting licenses whose funds go to the the various DNR's?

[jmpurser]

Agreed. Not being an animal right wacko DOESN'T mean anything is okay. Hunters and fishermen were respecting the wild long before anyone else noticed it was in trouble. It would be nice if we picked up that mantle again.

[PhatP]

The real wackos are people who take delight in killing someone or somebody. It would be NICE if people went hiking, shot photos and had compassion...not just for the air, trees and ground but also for the others who want to live on this planet as well. If you want violence than you should fight or hunt each other (consenting adults only) and leave the animals alone.

[djkrlsn]

PhatP--I have absolutely no problems with people hunting to put food on the table or to keep prairie dogs and other rodents out of fields that help feed us (they can do tremendous damage to crops--and if livestock put feet in rodent holes--said livestock breaks legs. Also Phat--unless you are a vegan--your hypocrisy is showing since living wild is the ultimate free range and at least hunters do their own dirty work. In terms of the condor, the evidence is sketchy on the source of the lead poisoning and studies have found all sorts of junk in their guts.

[kmkm]

Obama on Hunting and Fishing:

"Hunting and fishing are not just recreational pursuits, they are part of our national heritage. America's hunters and anglers uphold a tradition that connects generations and brings families and friends together across our great nation. Today, we celebrate this tradition and the conservation legacy of hunters and anglers. "National Hunting and Fishing Day is a time to reaffirm our commitment to America's sportsmen. As President, I will protect the right to bear arms, increase access to places to hunt and fish, take on polluters and clean up our streams and lakes, and protect our nation's important wildlife habitat and wetlands. I will enhance programs that encourage young people to hunt and fish and respect and protect the outdoors. "Our nation's sportsmen have made sure that this and future generations can enjoy our natural resources and wildlife. As President, I will stand with them and ensure that America's hunting and fishing heritage endures."

[CaseyTool]

As a hunter and Republican, I cannot support any party that doesn't advocate conservation. I'll be voting for Obama/Biden in November.

[Thirdpower]

"take, for example, the "Real Conservation" website by the American Hunters and Shooters Association, which exposes the NRA as a corporate shill for anti-conservation interests. "

Now that's the pot calling the kettle black. Do you even know anything about the AHSA? Their board consists of former Brady Campaign members and anti-gun activists. Their entire existence is to attack the NRA.

Oh, wait, this is a Humane Society blog. No facts involved.

[GuyRC]

Being pro-gun control isn't the same as "anti-gun" except in the black and white world the NRA lives in.

[djkrlsn]

Guy--that depends on how you define gun control--if the proposed control is aimed at disarming violent felons and people with serious mental illness--that is not anti gun, but if the "control" involved is the type in DC--where .legal possesion of a functional firearm in the home is impossible--that is antigun

[patianneb]

Superb article. Thank you very much... I for one will research the links and send personal correspondence as well as respond to the action requests from various groups to whch I belong.
I would hope this article is widely read.