Hunters Win Major Courtroom Battle Over Hunting on Public Lands

© By Othmar Vohringer

Over the past few years hunters and anglers have won several court battles against the anti hunters and animal rights. It delights me to see that animal rights keep losing more ground and the article below supplied to me by the US Sportsmen’s Alliance is another mayor achievement in our fight to retain our right to hunt.

(Columbus, OH) – The lengthy battle over hunting access on dozens of units of the 100 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge system has ended—and hunters can declare VICTORY! In April 2011, federal Judge James S. Gwin ruled for sportsmen across America by granting summary judgment in favour of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other defendants while denying a lawsuit aimed at closing hunting on National Wildlife Refuge System parcels. After this ruling, an appeal process was opened, and the appeal clock began ticking. On Monday, that appeal period came to an end with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) failing to file any appeal.

“This long sought win is a great victory for hunters everywhere, and reinforces the process of keeping national wildlife refuges open for hunting, by hunters,” said Bill Horn, the US Sportsmen’s Alliance director of federal affairs.

This long-running case began in 2003, when the Fund for Animals, which later merged with the HSUS, filed a lawsuit to stop hunting on 39 refuges. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with other organizations, intervened on behalf of sportsmen. Anti-hunting groups later expanded the lawsuit to nearly 60 refuges. USSAF defended this case for eight years, through many rounds of hard-fought and costly briefing, providing stability in the defence as the U.S. attorneys assigned to the case changed frequently over that time.

Judge Gwin’s April 2011 ruling stopped HSUS' attempt at using the National Environmental Policy Act to close hunting on these refuges. In making the decision, the judge noted that “Plaintiffs, however, are not entitled to an inviolate sanctuary for their preferred uses – Congress has determined that, to the extent possible, hunters, fishers, observers, photographers, and educators must share the refuge.”

Fathers Day Is Family Fishing Day

© By Othmar Vohringer

On Sunday June 19, the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club hosted their annual Family Fishing Day at the kid’s pond located between Kentucky and Alleyne Lakes. The family Fishing Day was instituted twelve years ago by the Family Fishing Society to promote the angling sport to a young and new generation.

This year’s event was special in the regard that it honoured the memory of Bill Otway, past president of Family Fishing Society and champion of fishing and hunting rights for the citizens of BC and Canada. This past year Bill was posthumously inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame in recognition of his unparalleled efforts and achievements on behalf of all Canadian outdoor enthusiasts. Honouring Bill by declaring the Family Fishing Day in his memory was a fitting tribute not only because of what he has done for all of us but also because in many ways he was like a father, tirelessly looking out for the hunters and sport anglers rights and the best interests for wildlife.

Look But Don’t Touch

(Originally published in the Merritt News)

© By Othmar Vohringer

This is the time of year where most wildlife species give birth or are already raising their young. It’s also the time of year that wildlife rehabilitation centres are inundated with phone calls from people who found “orphaned” wild animals.

Recruiting Youth And New Hunters Expanding Nationwide

© By Othmar Vohringer

As a hunter education instructor and active promoter of the hunting sport it always pleases me to receive news such as the one below provided by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Efforts to expand youth hunting opportunities are on the move throughout the country. These bills, which are in-line with the Families Afield initiative, are designed to introduce more youth to hunting.

Pistol Permit Requirement for Crossbow Purchases Repealed

© By Othmar Vohringer

On July 29, 2010 I reported about an insane state law requiring anyone buying or otherwise receiving a crossbow in North Carolina to have either a pistol permit from their local sheriff's office or a concealed handgun permit. A bill has now been signed into law removing that requirement.

Crossbows are a legal method of hunting in North Carolina, permissible anytime bow-and-arrow hunting is allowed. However, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission does not regulate the sale or purchase of firearms and crossbows. This is good news for the hunting community in North Carolina. It’s always good to see when commonsense prevails in the end.

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