Editorial Report

EDITORIAL: More political moves against sportsmen, women Western Outdoor NewsPublished: Jul 19, 2012

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Almost daily, it seems liberal politicians in California open up another attack on consumptive users of our resources, trying to strip us of our rights, pleasures and enjoyments, and now, two new bills have been introduced that would put special interest groups in charge of making fishing and hunting decisions in California. The two bills (SB 1148 and AB 2402) have been introduced in the California legislature that together will effectively remove recreational anglers and hunters from management and conservation discussions in the state, according to Keep America Fishing. Add this one to SB 1221, the attempt to stop hunting with dogs, and California sportsmen and women are under severe attack from the liberal politicians — once again. The bills were initially introduced to improve how the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) functions, but special interest groups have succeeded in amending the bills to include provisions detrimental to anglers and hunters. The bills would bring in "nonprofit partnerships," like the Humane Society of the United States, PETA, Audubon Society, anti-fishing groups and other well-financed organizations, many of which are out to stop recreational fishing and hunting under the guise of fisheries and wildlife "management." The bills would remove the Fish and Game Commission's regulatory power over marine protected areas and listing of threatened and endangered species and instead put it in the hands of the DFG. This could result in "nonprofit partners" making important decisions that further limit fishing access and hunting availability to public waters and lands without any public forum or transparency in the process. And, since the DFG is already partnering with the anti-hunting, animal-rights group HSUS, it lends credibility to that happening. If passed, these two bills will have a significant impact on recreational fishing in California, and will open the door to more attacks on hunting. They will allow anti-fishing and anti-hunting groups to have unchecked influence in fishery and wildlife management and remove important checks and balances in the policymaking forum. Tell your legislators to vote no on SB 1148 and AB 2402. Just add them to the long list.