MDHunter
12-14-2004, 06:52 PM
Hello All,
Greetings and I look forward to learning a lot from all of you and sharing a lot of valuable info about hunting!
I saw a few threads on this Forum about the HSUS and debates about their effectiveness and should we be concerned, and I just wanted to throw my opinion out there. I think we should be VERY, VERY concerned about our hunting heritage......let's just examine some recent history.
On 5/21/2002 the Fund for Animals proclaimed that "The end of hunting is in sight", based on a USFWS report that stated hunter numbers had decreased 7% between 1996 and 2001, while the number of wildlife watchers had increased by 5%. The Fund president at that time, Michael Markarian, noted that "Hunters now make up only 4.6% of the population, compared to the 31% who are wildlife watchers. It's time for the Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies to start paying attention to their own numbers and stop catering to a tiny special interest group."
On 11/22/2004 the HSUS and the Fund for Animals merged, giving the Fund access to $98 MILLION in annual funding support to fight hunting and traditional wildlife management. The HSUS has launched a new legal department to challenge sportsmen in the courts, with 4 litigating attorneys anticipated on board by the end of year.
These guys mean business, and they're perfectly content to strip us of our privileges one facet at a time. While we're out in the woods and debating with each other on this Forum, they're here in Washington, lobbying to Congress and fighting to abolish our rights. It doesn't matter if we think they're wackos - they know how to play the political game, and they can appeal to whatever portion of the 31% of wildlife watchers are NOT part of the HSUS, to vote their agenda. If we don't get off the couch and do something about this TODAY, do you really think we have no worries?
The NRA is a very proactive organization, but they have plenty to worry about in protecting our right to bear arms - that's a fulltime battle, in itself. If we're going to preserve the hunting traditions passed down to us through generations, WE have to pick up this ball and run with it - the other team is already on the field.
I feel comfortable in saying this, because until about three weeks ago I was as apathetic as anyone - just cruising along and enjoying my days in the woods. Only when the HSUS and Fund for Animals merged and declared war on bowhunting, did I wake up and realize that if I'm going to preserve my hunting privileges, I need to take an active part in this debate. So I joined the Maryland Bowhunter's Society and the Maryland Sportsmen's Society, and I'm gonna get involved in their efforts to preserve our rights, and I'm gonna do it NOW.
We can ALL do a little bit to help in this battle - if it means writing a letter to your Congressman, or taking a youngster hunting, or talking to a non-hunter about wildlife conservation and the important role that we play. But we need to do SOMETHING, because passiveness won't do against the very proactive effort of the opposition.
Let's each do our little part, guys and gals - this battle needs each of us, no one more important than any other.....and no time more important, than now.
God Bless and Good Hunting,
MDHunter
Greetings and I look forward to learning a lot from all of you and sharing a lot of valuable info about hunting!
I saw a few threads on this Forum about the HSUS and debates about their effectiveness and should we be concerned, and I just wanted to throw my opinion out there. I think we should be VERY, VERY concerned about our hunting heritage......let's just examine some recent history.
On 5/21/2002 the Fund for Animals proclaimed that "The end of hunting is in sight", based on a USFWS report that stated hunter numbers had decreased 7% between 1996 and 2001, while the number of wildlife watchers had increased by 5%. The Fund president at that time, Michael Markarian, noted that "Hunters now make up only 4.6% of the population, compared to the 31% who are wildlife watchers. It's time for the Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies to start paying attention to their own numbers and stop catering to a tiny special interest group."
On 11/22/2004 the HSUS and the Fund for Animals merged, giving the Fund access to $98 MILLION in annual funding support to fight hunting and traditional wildlife management. The HSUS has launched a new legal department to challenge sportsmen in the courts, with 4 litigating attorneys anticipated on board by the end of year.
These guys mean business, and they're perfectly content to strip us of our privileges one facet at a time. While we're out in the woods and debating with each other on this Forum, they're here in Washington, lobbying to Congress and fighting to abolish our rights. It doesn't matter if we think they're wackos - they know how to play the political game, and they can appeal to whatever portion of the 31% of wildlife watchers are NOT part of the HSUS, to vote their agenda. If we don't get off the couch and do something about this TODAY, do you really think we have no worries?
The NRA is a very proactive organization, but they have plenty to worry about in protecting our right to bear arms - that's a fulltime battle, in itself. If we're going to preserve the hunting traditions passed down to us through generations, WE have to pick up this ball and run with it - the other team is already on the field.
I feel comfortable in saying this, because until about three weeks ago I was as apathetic as anyone - just cruising along and enjoying my days in the woods. Only when the HSUS and Fund for Animals merged and declared war on bowhunting, did I wake up and realize that if I'm going to preserve my hunting privileges, I need to take an active part in this debate. So I joined the Maryland Bowhunter's Society and the Maryland Sportsmen's Society, and I'm gonna get involved in their efforts to preserve our rights, and I'm gonna do it NOW.
We can ALL do a little bit to help in this battle - if it means writing a letter to your Congressman, or taking a youngster hunting, or talking to a non-hunter about wildlife conservation and the important role that we play. But we need to do SOMETHING, because passiveness won't do against the very proactive effort of the opposition.
Let's each do our little part, guys and gals - this battle needs each of us, no one more important than any other.....and no time more important, than now.
God Bless and Good Hunting,
MDHunter