Sportsmen Ask Supreme Court to Protect New Jersey Bear Hunt

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with Safari Club International and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, are appealing to the New Jersey Supreme Court to seek an emergency injunction that would restore the state’s 2006 black bear hunt.

The groups are asking the high court to force the state to proceed with the 2006 bear hunt while the court decides whether Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa Jackson has the authority to discard the state’s black bear management plan and cancel the hunt.

On Nov. 22, a lower court denied an immediate order to protect the hunt.

“In a perplexing decision, the appellate court ruled that sportsmen did not demonstrate how they would suffer ‘irreparable harm’ if no hunt occurs this year,” said Rick Story, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) senior vice president. “The same court ruled in our favor when we challenged the antis’ attempt to stop the 2004 bear hunt. In that case the court obviously found that we had proven irreparable harm.”

On Nov. 21, the USSAF and its partners in the suit argued before three appellate court judges that Jackson had overstepped her authority by nixing the 2006 bear hunt.

“The state’s black bear management policy was adopted based upon recommendations made by the Division of Fish and Wildlife,” said Story. “There were open deliberations by the Fish and Game Council, and input and approval by the previous Commissioner. A new Commissioner cannot simply toss out the policy because she does not agree with it.”

Sportsmen argue that Jackson’s decision was arbitrary and ignored sound science. Jackson and Gov. Jon Corzine, who indicated publicly that he opposes bear hunting, are stopping the hunt because it goes against their political beliefs, not because of scientific reasoning.

“Despite increasing bear sightings and incidents, and successful hunts in 2003 and 2005, Jackson and Governor Corzine have put politics ahead of public safety,” said Story.

The USSAF, Safari Club International, and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs filed suit against the state on Nov. 3 to force the issuance of bear hunting permits as required by law. The groups amended the suit when Commissioner Jackson cancelled the hunt on Nov. 15.

Source: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation

This is very good news! Please support the organizations involved in this fight for your right to hunt. be that my joining them as a member or just writing a letter of support. If the animal rights win this case they have another victory that will serve other courts as guideline in future attempts to ban hunting in other states. The same is true if we the hunters win this case, it too will serve as guideline for other courts to defeat hunting bans.

You may not be a resident of New Jersey and think, "what has that to do with me...". Think again, everything that happens in other states or Canadian provinces has to do with protecting YOUR right to hunt or loose it.

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation
Safari Club International
New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs

State enforced Quality Deer Management

Here is a prime explanation why I am highly opposed to state, or in Canada’s case – province, enforced quality deer management. Here is what hunters in Illinois look at should that insanity of state enforced QDM ever come to pass. This came from a Illinois site and is a direct quote.

The average resident hunter would be the one hurt by these mighty plans of the horn hunters. The guy who has for years supported deer hunting and gone through the times of one deer a year and helped build the herd who now has to hunt the small plots no one else wants because the people with money have leased or bought up everything around. Of course he is expected to let the only deer he may get a shot at all year walk so the paying customers can have him.

And what a wonderful idea to make him take a doe first when he may never see that monster buck again. I get sick of everybody with all their management plans to improve what isn't broken. We do it your way and the state will be selling 40,000 NR tags instead of 20,000.

Some time back one outfitter blamed the local hunters, in a newspaper interview, because his clients were not taking the big bucks they used too. His solution, the locals should let the bucks walk and save them for paying customers.

All this restriction on what you can shoot takes what little fun there is left to hunting out of it. Hunt how you want on your side of the fence and leave your neighbor alone, instead of telling your neighbor he has to meet your standards and raise big bucks for you.

I have heard many here complain how they let one walk and then someone else shoots him. So what. He did it legal. And I do believe they call it hunting.

Are you still in favor of state enforced QDM? There goes the hunting opportunity for the average hunter, the vast majority, right out the window in favor for the trophy hunters and tourist hunters. Great going! Not!!
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Tags:
Whitetail Deer, QDM, Trophy Hunter

Product Review: ATV Deer Loader

I found a very neat product that will make it a snap dragging a deer or other large game out of the woods.

Deer Loader
The Power Loader is the quickest, safest, easiest way ever to load a deer onto an ATV. The Power Loader's lifting mechanism literally extends and lays flat on the ground, allowing the deer to be slid effortlessly into place.

The Power Loader fits most popular brands and models of 4 wheelers and operates with the use of factory or after market winches. It places the deer or other load over the front wheels — maintaining stability and balance while the ATV is in motion. The Power Loader is constructed of aircraft aluminum and provides a whopping 250 lb. load capacity and it adds only 29 lbs. of weight to your ATV.

The Power Loader™ with a combination of cleverly positioned folding and telescopic components accomplishes two important functions.
1. It extends the loading “basket” all the way to ground level to make loading possible without any lifting.
2. It retracts as it is loading in order to reduce the leverage factor to a functional level.

The Power Loader™ uses are limited only to one’s imagination. Here are some of the recommended uses for work or play:
1. Loading and transporting deer or other game.
2. Loading and transporting any recreational equipment that does not exceed the 250 lb. weight limit – ex. Ice chests, camping equipment, treestands, etc.
3. Lifting miscellaneous objects within the weight limit to a “working” height or to be transported – ex. tool boxes, light equipment, sacks of feed, seed or fertilizer, bales of hay, firewood, etc.


To learn more or order a Power Loader visit Great Day Inc.
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POACHERS NAILED IN SURVEILLANCE OPERATION

OUT OF STATE POACHERS NAILED IN SURVEILLANCE OPERATION

A Kentucky resident and two West Virginians have paid fines of more than $8,800 dollars for illegally getting a jump on Colorado's muzzleloader elk season. Donald G. Wilshire of Georgetown, Kentucky was cited by Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) officers for shooting an elk with a muzzleloader rifle before the opening of the muzzleloader season. Darrell G. Wilshire and Betty J. Wilshire, both of Oak Hill, West Virginia, were cited for unlawfully transferring a hunting license to another person and using an electronic device to further a wildlife crime.

Officers were alerted to the group in 2005 by hunters who suspected illegal activity in extreme eastern Mesa County, south of the community of Silt. Alert officers noticed the arrival of the suspects in the area this year and started watching to see if any illegal activity would occur.

District Wildlife Managers Will Spence, Brian Gray, and JT Romatzke were joined by a DOW investigator to monitor the Wilshire's camp near West Willow Creek and USFS Road 841. On Sept. 5, officers witnessed Donald Wilshire leave the family camp and proceed to a nearby hunting area where he used a scoped muzzleloader rifle to shoot and kill a bull elk. Donald radioed back to the camp and instructed Betty and Darrell to drive to town and purchase the proper hunting license to cover the kill.

Colorado's muzzleloader season ran Sept. 9-17, thus the kill occurred outside the proper season. It is also illegal in Colorado to use a scope on a muzzleloader outside of the regular rifle seasons, which do not begin until October. Additionally, it is illegal for an individual to purchase a license after killing an animal. Licenses are also non-transferable and it is illegal for someone to kill an animal using another person's license. Using a radio to communicate information to further a wildlife crime is also against state law.

On Sept. 6, officers from the DOW entered the Wilshire camp and confronted them with the evidence against them. During the course of the investigation it was also determined that Donald Wilshire had committed a similar violation in the killing of a cow elk in 2005.

Donald G. Wilshire, 41, was cited for illegal possession of a bull elk, unlawfully receiving another person's license, hunting outside and established season, and possession and transfer charges related to the 2005 incident. Donald was also issued a warning citation for conspiracy, hunting without daylight fluorescent orange, and failing to properly void an elk license. In all, Donald paid $5,000 in fines and was assessed 95 points against his hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado.

Betty J. Wilshire, 59, and Darrell G. Wilshire, 61, were cited for illegal possession of a bull elk, unlawful transfer of a license and unlawful use of an electronic device. Betty and Darrell each paid $1,918 in fines and were assessed 45 points against their hunting and fishing privileges.

The muzzleloader and radios used in the crime were seized and application has been made with the court system for forfeiture of the items.

Because the three individuals were all assessed more than 20 license suspension points, they also face the loss of their hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado and 23 other Wildlife Violator Compact states. An administrative hearing will be held to determine the length of any potential suspensions.

"This was a blatant, premeditated and repeated poaching method used by this family," said DOW officer Will Spence. "And this activity might have continued if it weren't for the help of the ethical hunters who reported last year's suspicious activity to us," said DOW officer Will Spence.

Sportsmen, landowners, or citizens who observe or suspect poaching activity can anonymously contact Colorado's Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-877-COLO-OGT (1-877-265-6648 ). Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT at no cost. Callers do not have to reveal their names or testify in court. Rewards of up to $1,000 are offered for information that leads to an arrest or a citation being issued.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: Colorado Department of Natural Resources

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