USSA Provides Breakdown on Congressional Vote to Ban Polar Bear Hunting

(Columbus) – The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance has compiled a summary of how congressmen voted on a measure introduced in Congress earlier this week that sought to ban polar bear hunting.

Congress rejected an amendment in the Interior Appropriations Bill that would have prohibited American hunters from pursuing polar bears from healthy populations in Canada. The vote was 188-242. Seven lawmakers did not vote.

Breaking the vote down by party, 165 Democrats supported the amendment, while 68 opposed it. Two did not vote. At the same time, 23 Republicans voted for the amendment while 174 Republicans voted no. Five did not vote.

There are 228 members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Forty-four voted to ban polar bear hunting, while 180 voted no. Four members of the caucus did not vote.

“It is critical to the future of hunting for sportsmen to know how their legislators vote on key issues like this one,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Many legislators claim to be supportive of hunting, but we find out who our friends really are when the votes are counted.”

Wondering how your congressman voted?

Click here for vote results organized by state.

Click here for vote results organized by congressman’s last name.

Click here for vote results organized by ayes and noes.

Click here for Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus member vote results.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance encourages sportsmen to contact their congressmen offering thanks to those who voted for sportsmen’s rights and polar bear conservation. They should contact those who voted against hunting to make sure that congressmen understand the conservation and political facts behind the vote. Sportsmen should phone (202) 224-3121 and ask to be transferred to their U.S. representative’s office. Or, they may get direct contact information by using the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

Washington State needs new representation!

Hunters need to band together and vote these Whack jobs out of office!

This is what was on Representative Jay Inslee's webpage!

"In the last 10 years, over 800 polar bears have been killed by hunters to decorate American homes. U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Frank A. LoBiondo (R-N.J.) filed legislation in the House that would end the practice and help stop the decline of the iconic marine mammal, now threatened by global warming. A companion measure is expected to be introduced today in the Senate by U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)."

I am so glad this was defeated on the floor yesterday! I cannot understand the ignorance that must be present in a mans head to believe that hunters go hunting so that they can decorate their homes! With that little bit of ignorance alone should give most voters all of the knowledge they need to choose another candidate.

Lets do the math, 80 polar bears per year for 10 years and close to $4,000,000 in tag fees that go to native tribes in Nunavut. Millions of dollars donated to conservation projects by those same hunters and other hunters who dream of someday hope to hunt polar bears. Conservation dollars that are needed!

Just ask the Humane Society of the United States how much money has actually been donated to real conservation projects from their organization. The answer will be zero!

How much money has been spent to stop hunting of polar bears and other wildlife? Millions

U.S. House Rejects Polar Bear Hunting Ban

U.S. Sportsmen work to defeat amendment

(Columbus) – The nation’s sportsmen have stood up on behalf of polar bear conservation. Congressmen have refused to impose restrictions on big game hunters that would have crippled polar bear conservation.

On June 27, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated a last minute amendment to HR 2643, the House Interior Appropriations Bill, which would have banned the import of polar bear trophies. Voting 188 to 242, the House turned down anti-hunters’ efforts to prohibit American big game hunters from pursuing healthy, sustainable polar bear populations in Canada.

“It appears U.S. representatives recognized that the effort to ban Americans from polar bear hunting is baseless from a conservation standpoint,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Science that shows polar bear populations are at historic highs and that there are no imminent threats to the healthy, huntable populations.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance worked along with the National Rifle Association and other sportsmen’s groups to help defeat the amendment. The American Wildlife Conservation Partners sent a letter of opposition signed by many of its members to all congressional offices.

American sportsmen comprise approximately 90 percent of the foreign hunting clientele in Canada, annually pouring millions of dollars into polar bear conservation and management, not to mention the financial benefits to the local communities. American hunters are the primary source of essential funding for conservation and research that allows for continued success of the populations.

Language banning the hunt has already been included in the Senate Interior Appropriations Bill.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

My Comments:
I thank all of you that made a tremendous effort to get on the phones, sent emails and contacted their congressmen to defeat this idiotic legislation. Congressmen Inslee needs to learn about the North American Hunter Conservation Model. The reality is that the Humane Society will not stop until they stop all hunting nationwide. All hunters nationwide must share this knowledge strongly and vocally and alert everyone they know to stop giving them money and stem the flow of funds to this two-faced organization. People giving them money do not even know that they are supporting an organization working to ban hunting and stop the flow of money for conservation and the protection of habitat.

Here is the reality, there is always going to be people who are anti-hunting. I get that and understand that they have a differing view then I do. I can accept that and while I will continue for the rest of my life to share with them the good things that hunters do for the environment, for conservation, for wildlife and share the human stories, I understand they may never change their mind. That is their right! What absolutely bothers me is that organizations like the Humane Society lie to the donors about their intent with the money that is being donated to their organization. That dishonesty bothers me.

All of us most continue to support organizations like the US Sportmen's Alliance, Conservation Force, the NRA and others that are working to protect the rights of hunters. We must also continue to support the great organizations who are working to protect our habitat and the conservation of the wildlife we as hunters so dearly love.

A letter from Microsoft

Well today I got a letter from Microsoft in regards to my letter to them about partnering with the Humane Society of the United States. The letter states:

Dear Mr. Paulson,

Thank you for forwarding your concern.

At Microsoft, our mission and values are to help people and organizations throughout the world realize their full potential. With the "i'm" Initiative, our goal is to empower our users to support causes that are most important to them through something they do every day - send instant messages. Consistent with our initiative slogan "It's your voice, it's your choice", people are able to choose from among ten of the most recognized social cause organizations that address issues ranging from poverty, child protection, disease, environmental degradation and animal protection.

We respect and value your opinion, however, we do not plan to make changes to our relationship with our partners. We feel strongly that these organizations provide a range of causes that will appeal to a wide range of passions.

Sincerely,
Microsoft Corporation

This decision by Microsoft should upset the 13 million people 16 years and older who enjoy hunting in the U.S each year. I guess that is not enough people to concern Microsoft.

This only highlights to me how much work we have to do as a community of hunters and wildlife conservationists to get the message out about the kinds of things that are provided in this world by hunters. The millions of acres of land that were protected by the Roberts-Pittman Act, the good work of our conservation organizations worldwide and the great human stories that are provided in the field each and every day between friends and family!

Have you contacted Microsoft yet?

The way I see it as hunters we support conservation, we get the joy from the wilderness, we get very few opportunities to stand up for our rights and do something to stem the flow of money to Anti-Hunting organizations. Microsoft is as close a monopoly as any company is ever going to get in America! I know that Bill and Melinda Gates are going to do great things with their money, and it is there money... I am all for them putting it to whatever cause they want. But Microsoft is a a publicly traded company and as a public company they should be listening to the public and we must get out there and yell and scream until they hear us! Without hunters conservation stops and we need conservation and habitat more now then ever before....

Take 5 minutes and contact Microsoft and tell them how you feel, write them a letter and fax them as well... IS 5 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME WORTH PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS AS A HUNTER!!!! I KNOW IT IS!!!!



Contact Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Phone: (425) 882-8080. Fax: (425) 936-7329.

Scott Sayre for Senate in Virginia

I had the good pleasure to meet Scott Sayre at the Rockingham QDMA banquet this last weekend and found him to be a good man! If you are in the 24th district of Virginia go check him out! He and his wife are dedicated hunters and conservationists!

Scott Sayre for Senate

The Sportsmen's Voice!!!!

Thank you to:
The Congressional Spotsmen's Foundation
For allowing HuntingLife.com to republish this newsletter for your enjoyment!

May 3, 2007
Volume 5, Issue 9



Refuge Partners Release Report Detailing Budget Problems
The National Wildlife Refuge System stands to lose 20 percent of its workforce and leave more than half of its refuges operating at a loss in the next five years unless Congress increases its budget, according to a report released by the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), of which the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is a member. The report documents how the chronic under-funding of the nation’s refuge system is impacting not only infrastructure maintenance, but also staffing, hours of access and hunting and fishing programs.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), one of the leaders of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus and Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, is asking the Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing on the refuge system's budget woes. "Refuges virtually touch every congressional district in the nation, so everyone has a purpose for doing a better job of protecting them," Kind said.

Ads Reinforce Connection Between Legislation and Hunting and Fishing
An ad campaign aimed at continued awareness of the connection between legislation and hunting and fishing has been launched by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. The ads feature messages such as, “The future of hunting and fishing is also in politics - on the streets of Washington, D.C.”

Similar ads focused on state legislation have also been developed for the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. With the 2008 elections looming, it is important for sportsmen to make the connection between the actions of their elected officials and their enjoyment of hunting and fishing. In 2004, sportsmen and women had a likely voter rate of 80% and a majority said they considered it essential that a candidate share their views on hunting and fishing issues. High resolution copies of the ads can be downloaded through the CSF website.



Wildlife Violators Compact Legislation Introduced in Ohio
Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) recently introduced HB 153, legislation that would permit the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Wildlife to enter into the National Wildlife Violators Compact. “Protecting Ohio’s wildlife from poachers and others who would violate the hunting and fishing regulations is crucial if we wish to continue having wildlife in Ohio,” stated Latta.

Currently 26 states are members of the compact which links a state’s database of individuals who have violated that state’s hunting and fishing regulations resulting in a suspended or revoked license to a national database in order to prevent the violators from moving from state to state and committing the same crime.

Michigan Working to Make Hunting/Fishing License Voter Registration Easier
Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Senators Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau), Bruce Patterson (R-Canton), and Michael Prusi (D-Ishpeming) have introduced a pair of bills, SB 438 & 439, to make registering to vote even easier for sportsmen in the Wolverine State. The legislation would require that resident hunting, fishing or fur harvesters licenses include a voter registration section which would serve as the application to vote if signed.

Tax Credit and Wildlife Cruelty Bills Introduced in New York
New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Elizabeth Little (R-Queensbury) has introduced legislation which would allow landowners of 25 or more contiguous acres to receive a 25 percent tax credit on their real estate taxes if they place the land in a forestry stewardship or habitat conservation agreement with the state. The land must be deemed valuable to fish and wildlife habitat, including hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife viewing-related recreation.

The National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses is keeping an eye on legislation introduced in the Empire State that would extend the coverage of the state’s felony animal cruelty law to cover wildlife. The legislation is not currently written to affect lawful hunting or trapping licensed by the Department of Environmental Conservation, but NASC has observed similar legislation in other sportsmen’s caucus states where the written legislation has not been clear on how it might impact hunting.

From Utah to Vermont, Sportsmen’s Caucuses Take to the Range
State legislators around the country have been turning in their ties and jackets for shooting vests, taking a day off from voting to break clays and introduce their colleagues to recreational shooting and hunting. The outreach opportunities have been cited as great ways to remind them of what they are working to protect and promote as members of state sportsmen’s caucuses.

In Utah, National Wild Turkey Federation state president Jon Leonard provided one-on-one mentoring to Utah Caucus Co-Chair Senator Allen Christensen (R-North Ogden) by introducing him to the joys of turkey hunting. In July, the NWTF chapter will assist in organizing an event for the newly formed Utah Sportsmen’s Legislative Caucus.

Members of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus members gathered for the 15th Annual Dinner and Auction, which was sponsored by a National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses partner, the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “As more and more state legislatures attempt to pass stringent gun-control measures, such as recent proposals in Illinois to ban assault weapons, it is incumbent upon industry to support those state representatives who support us," said NSSF senior vice president and general counsel Lawrence Keane. "Through active participation in sportsmen's caucuses around the country, we help to accomplish this mission."

In Georgia, more than a dozen legislators shot skeet alongside officials with the Governor’s office and partner hunting organizations including the Heritage and Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Georgia Chapter Safari Club International, and Quality Deer Management Association in the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus shoot. The professional shooting instructors at the Tom Lowe Shooting Grounds had two legislators who had never shot before hitting skeet in no time and left them very excited about going back again.

Approximately 30 members of the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus turned out to a shoot hosted by the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and National Rifle Association, a partner of the NASC. Many of the legislators in attendance had little or no shooting experience, something that volunteer instructors quickly remedied. By the end of the day, all shooters left behind a trap field full of busted clays. Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Steven Adams (R-Hartland) noted, ”It was ironic that the same day lawmakers in neighboring states were debating gun control, legislators in Vermont were practicing muzzle control.”

The leadership of the Missouri Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus rounded up more than 50 members of the General Assembly to take part in their annual day at the range and recruited the Missouri Department of Conservation staff to assist legislators with limited shooting experience. The legislators enjoyed their time on the trap, skeet and 5 stand fields before heading back to cast votes that afternoon.

In Florida, nineteen members of the Legislators' Sportsmen’s Caucus gathered to enjoy a low country boil and celebrate hunting, shooting and fishing in the Sunshine State. More than three dozen staffers and Caucus supporters also attended the event, the second dinner hosted by the Caucus this session. Back in March, a dozen members of the Caucus met for a Wild Game Cookout. Caucus Co-chair Rep. Baxter Troutman (R-Winter Haven) stated, “The freshmen members, and even some of the more veteran members of the legislature, are really starting to understand the value of the Sportsmen’s Caucus, and these informal dinners give them a great chance to relax and enjoy each other’s company, while at the same time understand the value of Florida sportsmen’s activities to our economy.”



The Sportsman's Link to Congress and State Capitols
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses
110 North Carolina Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003

A comment on the VIrginia Tech massacre.

As a Virginia resident, as a United States resident, and as a father I am deeply saddened by the events in Blacksburg, VA today. The horrible actions of individuals(or groups of individuals) continue to shock me! Our world is changing for the worse and I am afraid we as a society have no real answers. I listened to CSpan on the way home tonight to try and listen to what was going on and to hear some updated reports of what was going on. For close to 20 minutes I got to hear a number of callers giving their condolences to the state of Virginia, the calls were from all across the country and about 20% of the calls began to call for more gun control. This saddened me even more.

We still do not know who did this?
We still do not know why someone would do this?
We still do not know how many people were involved in this violence?
We still do not know if their was one or two separate instances?
We do not know how this could of happened?

What I believe is that bad people do bad things! People with evil in their hearts will always be evil! Criminals used to have to pay for their crimes by death! Our jails used to try and rehabilitate small time offenders and teach them a road back into society. Do we do that now?

We used to take care of our children. We used to teach them the difference between right and wrong? We used to get a spanking if we chose to be bad. We used to watch Sesame Street and the Electric Company and the Muppets and now kids watch cartoons and TV shows filled with violence. We used to be kicked outside to play all day and if we watched more then an hour of TV it was a rare day. We used to ride bikes, skateboards, play touch football, pick up baseball and tag and we knew if we were winners or losers by the score at the end of the game. We used to play dodge ball and we learned to be quick or get hit. We knew not to hit someone in the head, or the group would stop the game and we would get a beating. We knew that if we did wrong there was a price to pay. We used to be able to explore and we had to walk or ride our bikes to school.

We used to learn about the golden rule and the 10 commandments. We used to go to Vacation Bible School and Catachism and we used to say the pledge of allegiance every day in class until I was in 9th grade and if we ever wanted to pray in class it was encouraged. I don't remember ever praying in class as a group but we used to have a moment of silence for all kinds of events and almost all of the class would say amen under their breath or aloud at the end of the moment. I remember praying to myself on many occasions in school.

Our world is changing and all of this technology is not helping to teach our children the skills of being able to discern from right or wrong. When I rode my skateboard too fast, I fell down and got a bruise. When I was mean to someone, I learned that it came back to me 10 fold. When I took something without asking, I got a spanking. When I lied, I got grounded. When I got poor grades, I was taught to work harder. I learned about right or wrong.

When I was young, I started shooting at age 5 with a small BB gun. From day one I was taught to never point it in the direction of another person. That lesson was repeated over and over and over for the rest of my life and I now repeat it to every person I come in contact with when I am around guns. It did not matter whether I was shooting a bb gun, a shotgun, a high powered rifle, an olympic target gun, or a 50 caliber at tremendous distances. I knew to never point it a person.

I have been blessed to have never been put in the situation where I would have to defend my life or the lives of my family. I know that I will not hesitate one second to protect my family with whatever means necessary to do so and I not show mercy. I would not ever shoot someone to hurt them or stop them, I will never point a weapon at someone unless I have to protect my family and it is the last resort. If put in that situation I will be shooting over and over until I am assured that threat has been eliminated. I know my father would of done the same for me, and his father before that would of done the same for him and so on.

It will never be the gun that chooses to kill someone! It is always the person who makes that choice. We need to do more to show the good in our society, to downplay the violence in our worlds, to highlight good over evil. We need to teach our children and youth that guns can be used for hunting, target practice or to bring friends together in camaraderie. We need to teach that guns in the hands of evil people are dangerous and we must teach our children how to defend themselves from evil.

We need to enforce the laws that are already on our books in regards to guns. WE DO NOT NEED MORE LAWS that are not being enforced. I know there is more then enough laws on the books in regards to assault, murder, killing people, brandishing a weapon in a public area, shooting in a public area. No laws stopped this from happening, more laws will not prevent it in the future! What will make a difference is people helping people learn the difference between right and wrong! I encourage all of society to get out there and make a difference in at least one persons life! Call it Pay it Forward, call it common sense, call it whatever you want, but if every one of us can make a difference in at least one or two peoples lives in a good way, we are going to have a lot less problems in our world!

This was sent to me as I was writing this post and it rings so true that I am going to add it to what I have written. Please go out there and make a difference!!!!!!!!!


DARRELL SCOTT TESTIMONY

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every
so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.

I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers
themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!



"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occur s -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right t! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.

To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to
you a sincere challenge.

Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech..

SCI in the Crosshairs March 6th, 2007

SCI - First For Hunters
I am proud to offer the readers of this blog the following newsletter and will strive to get every one of them up online on the blog. I just received permission to reprint it on the blog for every issue! I hope you enjoy! Thank you to Safari Club International!


In the Crosshairs -- e-news from SCI's Washington Office

The latest and hottest news on federal, state, and international political and conservation events

March 6, 2007

Safari Club International Testifies In Opposition of Listing of Polar Bear Under the Endangered Species Act

Safari Club International continued its fight to stop the proposed listing of the polar bear as a “threatened” species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act by testifying at a hearing held by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on March 5, 2007 in Washington D.C.
The FWS is concerned that, within the next 45 years, the alleged impacts of global climate change will put the species as a whole in danger of extinction. Such a listing could mean the end of the importation into the United States of trophies of polar bears legally hunted in Canada, unless the FWS adopted special rules and permits allowing the import.

SCI argued that the FWS cannot make a “threatened” finding because there is too much scientific uncertainty about the nature and extent of global climate change, the future impact of any climate change on the arctic ecosystem, and how the polar bear as a species will adapt to any changing conditions. SCI explained that before making a ‘threatened’ listing, the FWS must have some high level of certainty about these future events. This certainty is lacking.

SCI also commented that sport hunting of polar bears in Canada brings significant dollars to local native communities and to conservation and management efforts. Currently polar bear populations overall are healthy and in many places thriving. Sport hunting of polar bears only occurs under strict quotas issued by Canadian provincial governments. The FWS currently
allows imports only of bears taken from sustainably managed populations. At the hearing, Doug Burdin, Litigation Counsel for SCI, testified, “Sport hunting, especially by U.S. hunters, brings significant dollars to remote native communities in Canada. To go along with the intrinsic value these people place on the polar bear, this economic benefit makes the polar bear valuable to these people, encouraging them to better conserve and manage the bear.” SCI will, as always, keep you posted.

SCI To Appear on NRA News’ Cam and Company Show to Discuss Polar Bears

To learn more about the proposed listing of polar bears and SCI’s position on the issue, listen to Doug Burdin, Litigation Counsel for SCI, tonight, March 6, at 10:40 p.m. (eastern time) on the “Cam and Company” radio show broadcast on NRA News. The webcast of the show is available at www.nranews.com <http://www.nranews.com/> or on Sirius Radio channel 144.

Kenyan Parliament Still Aiming to Vote on Hunting

“’The decision on whether or not the Government should lift a 30‑year‑old ban on sport‑hunting rests with Kenyans’, a minister has said. Tourism and Wildlife minister Morris Dzoro...told groups opposed to sport‑hunting to hold their horses until a task force collects and collates views of all key players. The task force would conclude its work and table a report before him by April 15, he said. The minister accused some environmentalists of calling press conferences instead of giving their views to the national steering committee on the review of wildlife policy. ‘The mandate of the committee is to get all the views of the public, whether good or bad, which we would process into a sessional paper to be presented to the Cabinet, and if approved, taken to Parliament as a Bill,’ the minister said. At the same time the minister said the Government would uphold the International Convention on Trade on Endangered Species, saying there was no cause for fear that Kenyan wildlife would be threatened. Mr. Dzoro was reacting to claims by officials of the Centre of Minority Rights in Democracy, who had vowed to lobby members of Parliament to shoot down the proposed Bill, if it supports what they called “hunting for fun.” The full story can be found at http://allafrica.com/stories/200703011195.html . (Source: The Nation - Kenya)

California Fish and Game Commission Puts Off Decision on Lead Ammunition Ban

SCI continues to closely monitor the California Fish and Game Commission's consideration whether to ban lead ammunition in Condor range in California. At a hearing held on Friday, March 2, 2007, the Commission pulled the proposed lead ammunition ban out of its current consideration of mammal hunting regulations. The reason appeared to be a request to the Department of Fish and Game for more information about the scientific information. SCI understands that the Commission will not vote on the lead ban at its April meeting, as originally suggested by the Commission. The Department has promised the information will be ready by the Commission's May meeting. Despite the delay, interested members of the public can still submit written comments (by April 6) on the proposed lead ban or testify at the meeting on April 12-13. The public can also comment on the draft environmental documents on the issue prepared by the California Fish and Game Department by April 9, 2007. For more information, see http://www.fgc.ca.gov/ and http://www.ceqanet.ca.gov/ProjDocList.asp?ProjectPK=578649 .