Anti-Hunting Bill Passes California Senate

[bearpaw]

Anti-Hunting Bill Passes California Senate

(Columbus, OH) –California Senate Bill 1221, a bill that will ban the use of hounds to hunt black bears and bobcats, passed the state’s Senate today. The passage of SB 1221 by the senate casts a dark cloud over the future of all hunting and wildlife management in California.  Senate Bill 1221 passed with a vote of 22 to 15 in favor.

The bill, which is sponsored by the radical animal rights group Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), triggered a strong outpouring of opposition from California sportsmen and women, plus sportsmen’s organizations, in the state and nationwide. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) denounced this retaliatory wildlife management bill that was created when HSUS could not have a state game commissioner removed for his legal mountain lion hunt.  As the bill moved forward from introduction and through the hearing process, hundreds of opponents wearing orange “NO on SB 1221” buttons also packed the corridors of the capital to let their Senators know they opposed this anti-hunting bill.
 
“The California Senate today chose retribution and revenge over sound science-based wildlife management,” explained Evan Heusinkveld, USSA’s director of state services. “Despite having a Fish and Game Commission explicitly designed to handle these questions free from the politics of the statehouse, the California Senate voted in favor of a hunting ban.”

USSA has been working with the Masters of Foxhounds Association, California Houndsmen for Conservation and the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance to defeat SB 1221.

Fast Facts on SB 1221
•   The bill would outlaw the use of hounds to hunt bears and bobcats.
•   Hunting bears and bobcats with hounds has been legal since the state formally organized a game commission and established game management and hunting laws.
•   Hounds are actually used in wildlife management practices and projects.
•   Hunters using hounds to pursue bears actually take fewer bears than is recommended by the state’s game department.
•   This bill is being pushed by the radical animal rights group—the Humane Society of the United States—the same group that has pushed anti-farming and puppy mill bills in California in the past.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

[TONTO]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

Thats exactly how it got outlawed in WA.

[3nails]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

[mtman]

tikka did you use a rifle or a bow to kill that deer, or did you do it by your self with your bare hands. Dogs can be used as tools to hunt also. Remeber that when they take your gun or bow.

[Huntbear]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

That kind of response right there is exactly how we will lose our hunting completely....  The "I do not hunt that way, so no skin off my nose" attitude....

So when they come after your way of hunting, if the rest of us say... that ain't hunting to me.. go ahead, take it away...  how you gonna feel?

[3nails]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

       

[singleshot12]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

I think his point is the hounds are doing the actual hunting and not the shooter

[bucklucky]

..........  Im not saying a damn word 

[h2ofowlr]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

Wow!  Educate yourself on this first before you make rash statements.  The ban we saw in Washington State caused a lot of heart ache.  One step closer to tightening the noose on hunting in general.

[huntnphool]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

[coastie hunter]

If you are not working to protect hunting, then you are working to destroy it. Fred Bear.

[bearpaw]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

That kind of response right there is exactly how we will lose our hunting completely....  The "I do not hunt that way, so no skin off my nose" attitude....

So when they come after your way of hunting, if the rest of us say... that ain't hunting to me.. go ahead, take it away...  how you gonna feel?

Huntbear explained my feelings well. It is specifically this attitude that splits hunters and is destroying all our hunting traditions. It's simply amazing to me that anyone can still be this narrow minded after all the losses of opprtunity that have been suffered by so many usergroups. I need to stop writing or I will say something I probably shouldn't. Please read my signature... 

 

[Curly]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

That kind of response right there is exactly how we will lose our hunting completely....  The "I do not hunt that way, so no skin off my nose" attitude....

So when they come after your way of hunting, if the rest of us say... that ain't hunting to me.. go ahead, take it away...  how you gonna feel?

+1

[stuckalot]

I don't call it hunting if using hounds.

I can't figure out if that statement is more ignorant, or arrogant 

I've never hunted with hounds, can't really say that I'd want to, but I certainly wouldn't disparage anyone who does, and they are invaluable as a management tool!

Like others have said, divided we all fall!