More Dove Referendum Help!!!!

[Zeboy]

Committee Formed to Protect Hunting



(Lansing) – Michigan sportsmen have formed a campaign committee to protect the state’s proud hunting tradition. The committee will raise funds and awareness to defeat a 2006 ballot issue to ban dove hunting.



The Citizens for Wildlife Conservation Committee (CWCC) is a coalition of leading sportsmen’s organizations established to defeat a referendum to ban Michigan’s dove hunt. The CWCC partners include the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Michigan United Conservation Clubs, National Rifle Association and Safari Club International. All sportsmen’s organizations are being recruited to join the coalition.



“The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is proud to work with these organizations to protect Michigan’s dove hunt,” said Rob Sexton, USSA vice president for government affairs. “The anti-hunters are expected to invest a significant amount of time and money to ban the hunt, which means Michigan sportsmen must step up to the plate to save their outdoor heritage.”



The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the animal rights movement’s new lobbying arm, is touting its ability to spend an unlimited amount of money on legislative and ballot campaigns. Anti-hunters pumped nearly $800,000 into a 2004 anti-hunting ballot issue campaign in Maine before the establishment of the lobbying division.



Dan Potter, president of the Michigan State Chapter of the NWTF has been named CWCC chairman. He urges sportsmen to help fend off this attack.



“The anti’s spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ballot issue campaigns when they had restrictions,” said Potter. “Now, the financial flood gates are open and sportsmen will have to fight tooth and nail to protect the future of hunting in Michigan.”



Animal rights groups filed a sufficient number of valid signatures with the Secretary of State’s office to place a referendum on the November 2006 ballot to ban dove hunting. The hunt had been approved by the legislature in 2004. The anti-hunters’ petition drive means that dove hunting is put on hold until the voters decide the issue.



Sportsmen’s contributions to protect Michigan’s hunting heritage can be sent to the Citizens for Wildlife Conservation Committee, 692 W. Coy, Hazel Park, MI 48030.



The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. To get involved in the fight to defend Michigan’s proud hunting heritage, contact the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance at (614) 888-4868 or e-mail info@ussportsmen.org.

[Zeboy]

I believe the other ballot committee that formed earlier will be joining up with this one or at least coordinating their agendas. I'm not positive, maybe Barbara or Deputy can comment on that.

All sportsmen need to come together to defend our hunting rights!!!!!

[Barbara]

There are actually something like 15 different groups currently taking part in this.

More are needed, though.

If people could get their local clubs involved, this would be very helpful, too. If 1/10th of the clubs in the state did some kind of fundraiser over the next year, we'd be all set.

[Linda G.]

Although the group doesn't have any money, count the Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association and our 2000-odd members in. We'd be happy to do some sort of fundraiser, plus anything USSA can suggest. I'll get in touch with Rick to put us on the list.

Linda Gallagher
State Chapter Secretary
Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association

[Zeboy]

Look at that potential though. If you could get every member to buy $20 in raffle tickets (once fund raisers like that are put together), that would be a quick 40 G's toward the cause.

Heck, if we could get everyone who purchases a deer tag to kick in $10 we would have enough money to fund this battle with some left over for the next time the antis decide to wrestle with the Sportsmen of Michigan!!!

What was Wayne Pacelle's (head of HSUS and former head of Fund for Animals) famous quote - it was something like "our goal is to end hunting in this country state by state, species by species." If they win, God Forbid, in 2006, you can be assured that they will be back in 2008 trying to outlaw another type of hunting. We beat them good in 1996 and it took them 10 years to come back. If we beat them harder this time maybe it will take them 20 years to come back the next time.

In addition to dove hunting, they have already listed bear hunting, trapping, bow hunting, and hunting with dogs as activities they will try to outlaw.

Hopefully all sportsmen will recognize that this issue is much larger than doves and it isn't going to go away!! If you want to protect bow hunting, or bear hunting, or trapping, or . . . we need to band together and smack this antihunting machine right between the eyes.

In case you missed it in the original post - Send your $$ to:

Sportsmen’s contributions to protect Michigan’s hunting heritage can be sent to the Citizens for Wildlife Conservation Committee, 692 W. Coy, Hazel Park, MI 48030

[Barbara]

And come to the dinner in Jackson next month! :)

I think someone from USSA will be there to discuss the long term plan..not sure who yet.

If anyone wants tickets, please try to get them early. I'd like to give Dave a good count by 9/1 or so. We can still sell tickets after that but for planning purposes, it makes it a lot easier if we know ahead of time.

It's pretty central to all of the state, its great food and its a good cause..you can't lose!