New York Allows Crossbows For Hunting

© By Othmar Vohringer

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation signed on August 27, 2014 an act into law that permits crossbows to be used by hunters. However, unlike many other U.S. states where crossbows have been made legal archery hunting equipment New York still does not recognize them as such.

In order to hunt with a crossbow hunters need to successfully challenge a crossbow qualification & safety training test. Hunters wishing to use a crossbow also must in some cases be in possession of  a valid muzzleloader licence. The department states; "The new law essentially treats crossbows as a muzzleloader." There are also certain regions or "zones" where crossbows are not permitted. While there are areas and times when crossbows are permitted outside of the muzzlelader season, in most instances they are only permitted during the regular muzzleloader hunting season.

With all the restrictions in place I still find it encouraging to see that yet another state has given hunters the opportunity to use crossbows for hunting big and small game species. It's a start in the right direction.

To read the new regulations and information about crossbow hunting in New York visit the website of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation/Crossbow Hunting.   

PeTA Announces New Plan To Harass Anglers And Hunters

© By Othmar Vohringer

The animal rights lunatic fringe group PeTA announced that they will launch submersible drones called "Aquatic Angel" equipped with cameras to stalk anglers. The "Aquatic Angel" is the newest tool of this animal rights group, following on the heels of the "Air Angel" drones released in 2013 to harass hunters while in the field.  I guess the drones are submersible for one reason only, to scare fish away from anglers.

The release is slated for tomorrow, September 27, which is the National Hunting and Fishing Day in the USA and Canada. Both countries have laws on the book that expressly protects anglers and hunters in the legal pursuit of game and fish from the interference through animal rights and anti hunting people. In other words, what PeTA does with the release of the spy drones is illegal and just another from of harassing hunter and anglers, and interfering with the legal taking of fish and game. I have heard of several reports where hunters have shot down spy drones, apparently they make for good target practice.

Read more about it on the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Website.
And here is what the PeTA lunatics have to say.

B.C. Government Allows Hunters To Shoot Feral Pigs Anywhere At Anytime

© By Othmar Vohringer

Wild and feral pigs have been spotted in the Kamloops, Okanagan, Peace, Kootenay and Lower Mainland regions, and the government doesn’t want any of it. In a media release the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations announced that the swine are now listed as a “schedule C” animal and hunters with a valid hunting license could shoot them anywhere and anytime they encounter this invasive species.

Having lived and traveled for a few years in America and seen firsthand how fast wild and feral pigs multiply and spread - and the devastation they create on habitat and agricultural crops - I can fully understand and appreciate our government’s drastic measure.

Where do these pigs come from? Wild pigs (like pheasant, fallow deer and many other species) are not native to North America; they were introduced by the first European settlers for sport hunting and agricultural purposes. The current “North American wild pig” is predominantly a hybrid of Russian wild boar and domesticated pigs that escaped. This interbreeding has created a particularly hardy animal that is able to survive in almost any condition from the desert to the lower alpine regions.

So far British Columbia is a small corner of North America where feral pigs are still small in numbers compared to other parts where the pig population, despite relentless hunting from ground and with helicopters, has gone totally out of control. The B.C. government views the “war on pigs” as a proactive measure to make sure we do not end up with the same problems that exist elsewhere.

Once established in an area wild pigs are extremely hard to control and keep their populations in check. Under the right conditions a sow can have two litters of piglets in any given year. While nursing one litter she is already impregnated with the next litter. The piglets are independent within six months and ready to reproduce. The average litter size can be as high as eight to ten piglets with the average surviving to adulthood being five to seven.

The good news for hunters is that wild hogs make for some very good and healthy table fare. Wild pork is some of the best meat that I ever had the pleasure to eat, and being wild it is also totally organic and is not dripping with excessive fat like domestic pork. Hunting wild pigs can also be very challenging. While pigs can’t see much beyond the tip of their noses their incredible sense of smell and hearing make them nearly unapproachable. Something else that makes pigs a challenge to hunt is their “bravery”. When cornered, injured, threatened wild pigs have no hesitation to attack their adversary with the ferocity one would attribute to a lion. There have been eye witness accounts that even a bear or cougar would run if he encountered an angry wild boar. It is for this reason that in Florida and some other American jurisdictions it is mandatory to hunt wild pigs from an elevated platform, like a treestand or shooting house.

In my forays throughout the Nicola Valley I have never seen feral pigs or any sign of them and can’t tell with certainty if we have any roaming around or not. Having said that, I will pay more attention to it in the future, it’s been a while since I had barbecued wild pork ribs and I wouldn’t mind having it again.
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If you have seen any feral or wild hogs in British Columbia or hunted them we would like to hear your story.

New Hampshire: New Way to “Make a Hunter”

© By Othmar Vohringer

New Hampshire has a new opportunity this year for participating in the hunting experience. The Apprentice Hunting License allows people to hunt, under the guidance of an experienced hunter age 18 or older, without first having to take a Hunter Education course. In instituting the program, New Hampshire followed the lead of thirty states that have established apprentice hunting programs over the past five years.

For New Hampshire it is the first year of having this the new license and so far it looks promising as a tool to recruit more hunters. During the spring turkey hunting season, 93 new hunters bought Apprentice Hunting Licenses. Of these, more than half were women, and many were in the 16-25 age group. Some 23% of these hunters (21 in all) were successful – better than the overall success rate for spring turkey hunters the previous year. No safety incidents were reported.

Public Safety Minister Shoots At Illegal Back-Door Gun Registry

© By Othmar Vohringer

Since the long-gun registry has been abolished it has come to the attention of the Public Safety Minister Vic Toews that the chief firearm officers (CFO) across Canada have taken it upon themselves to get gun shop owners to collect personal information from buyers of hunting rifles to establish what is termed a “backdoor gun registry”. In a stern letter to the RCMP the minister has told the CFOs to stop their back-door registries and personal information collection.

Toews wrote in the letter to the RCMP: “If it comes to your attention that CFO’s are interpreting the Firearms Act as a basis for unauthorized data collection, please advise me immediately. I am prepared to consider all legislative and regulatory measures necessary to effect the will of Canadians.” The minister further says that any CFO who persists with attempting to collect such data is breaking the law. “The CFO’s are not to engage in the collection of information of that nature.” Toews said. “That runs contrary to C-19.”

Canadian Government Disagrees With UN Global Gun Control Measures

© By Othmar Vohringer

According to a story in Ottawa Citizen the Harper government has “thrown a wrench into negotiations toward a United Nations arms trade treaty”. The “wrench” is that Canada opposes the inclusion of hunting, sports rifles and related ammunition from the inclusion of the UN’s proposal of a strict international gun control law, camouflaged as the Arms Trade Treaty. According to that law hunting and sporting rifles would be summarily classified as “assault rifles”. Furthermore the UN Arms Trade Treaty would like to see strict control and registration network of conventional arms. A little published fact of the treaty also would be that it would become unlawful for people to use firearms to defend themselves against violent criminals.

Legislation Removing Pennsylvania’s Sunday Hunting Ban Introduced

© By Othmar Vohringer

Finally it happens, just when you think that some U.S. states, and Canadian provinces for that matter, are stuck forever in old laws that where introduced to accommodate the power of the church you get surprised again. A bill introduced by Representative John Evans (R- Edinboro) would remove Pennsylvania’s long standing prohibition on Sunday hunting. The measure, House Bill 1760, will transfer the authority to regulate Sunday hunting from the Legislature to the Game Commission.

Pennsylvania is one of only 11 states that continue to restrict or prohibit hunting on Sundays. Currently, only crows, coyotes and foxes are permitted to be hunted on Sundays in the state. Pennsylvania’s prohibition dates back to 1873 and serves as a barrier to recruiting new hunters and retaining existing hunters.

Limiting hunters to one weekend day afield limits the economic impact that could be realized. According to a National Shooting Sports Foundation study, removing the Sunday hunting restrictions would result in an estimated 8,190 new Pennsylvania jobs paying more than $245 million in wages. It would also generate three-quarters of a billion dollars in economic impact each year for Pennsylvania.

To read the full article and a list of political representatives and read the resolution visit this website.

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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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Good News For Indiana Gun Owners - Bill Prevents Local Governments From Restricting Gun Rights

© By Othmar Vohringer

This news item is provided by U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Indiana Senate Bill 292, introduced by Senator Jim Tomes (R – Blairsville), and signed into law by Governor Mitch Daniels, prohibits local municipalities from regulating firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories.
Specifically, the bill prohibits municipalities from enacting local laws that are more restrictive than state laws. It covers almost every aspect of gun ownership including the possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer, and storage of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.
Senate Bill 292 also voids any current local ordinances that are more stringent than state law.

“Senate Bill 292 ensures that sportsmen and other gun owners don’t have to worry about differing gun laws when they travel between different cities or counties within the state,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of state services. “Sportsmen and other gun owners owe a debt of gratitude to the Indiana legislature and Governor Daniels for carrying this effort into law.”

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Conservatives Call for Creation of a National Panel on Fish and Wildlife

(Originally published in the Merritt News)

© By Othmar Vohringer

Just before the federal election was called Prime Minister Harper recommended the creation of a national advisory panel, including hunters and anglers input, to advise the federal government on fish, wildlife and conservation issues.

Unlike the Liberal Party and the NDP, Harper recognizes that Canadian hunters and anglers are on the forefront of wildlife and fish conservation and have been so long before conservation became the politically correct buzzword of special interest groups. Harper agrees that hunters and anglers should have an active voice in the decision making process on issues concerning fish, wildlife and conservation and also recognizes that recreational fishing and hunting is an important Canadian heritage, creating wealth and employment while wildlife resources continue to grow.

Bloomberg Calls For Kitchen Knife Control Law

© By Othmar Vohringer

I am sure we all have at times joked “what about a knife control law?” when we heard or read  gun control advocates reasoning for the need of such laws. Well it's no joke anymore. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg demanded a knife control law.

In a statement following the murderous rampage of Maksim Gelman, a 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, killing four victims with an with a 8-inch kitchen knife the New York Major released the following comment:

British Columbia – New Campfire Regulations

© By Othmar Vohringer

Summer has finally come to British Columbia and for many that means sitting around campfires. If you, like me, enjoy campfires you may want to pay attention to new regulations effective on Canada Day (July 1) or it could get very expensive for you.

The new regulation is shrinking the size of campfires from one metre across (39 inches) to half metre (19 inches). The reason, according to Forest Minister Pat Bell, is to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by careless people.

In addition to this new regulation it is also required, and that makes a lot more sense to me, that some sort of fireguard has to be built around the fires, such as stones or a dirt mound. It’s also required to scrape the area free of all flammable debris, such as twigs, leaves and pine needles. A shovel and at least eight litres (2 gallons) of water must be stored at all times nearby to extinguish the fire.

Failure to comply with these new rules will result in a fine of $ 345 and additional $ 345 will be charged if a fire is lit during a campfire ban. Should a person be found guilty of starting a forest fire the punishment will be very severe. The new law states that a person starting a forest fire can be charged with paying a fee exceeding more than a million dollar and, or imprisonment.

In British Columbia every year are over 350 wildfires reported. The sizes of the fires vary from a few acres to thousands of hectares that destroy entire forests and surrounding homes. The annual damage of wildfires is estimated in excess of 300 million dollars. New laws or not if you head out on a camping, hiking, fishing or hunting trip and make a campfire use commonsense around campfires. Observe the BC fire warnings posted on highways and at park entrances.


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Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.

Tags: British Columbia, Camp Fire,Wildfire

New bill introduced in Congress supports hunting

© By Othmar Vohringer

Between all the news about anti hunting lobbyist trying to stop hunting it is refreshing to learn about new legislation introduced in the Congress that supports hunting. From the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance I received the following press release.

Congress Introduces Legislation to Protect Hunting on Federal Lands

Hunting’s Importance Reaffirmed

(Columbus)-Companion bills, introduced yesterday in Congress, protect the rights of sportsmen to hunt on federal land while also recognizing hunting’s importance to all conservation.

The Hunting Heritage Protection Act, is made up of Senate bill 1348, sponsored by Senator Saxby Chambliss (R- GA) and H.R. 3046, sponsored by Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT).
Both pieces of legislation require that federal land be managed in a way that supports, promotes, and enhances access for hunting and mandates that an annual report be submitted to Congress detailing any limitations that are imposed on hunting federal lands. It also will require a written notification be given to Congress prior to any agency action that limits hunting on large parcels of federal land consisting of 5,000 or more acres.

“Sportsmen across America owe Senator Chambliss, Representative Rehberg, and other member of Congress many thanks for the steps they are taking to preserve our hunting rights,” stated USSA President and CEO Bud Pidgeon. “In a time where access to suitable hunting land is becoming increasingly difficult, this legislation goes a long way towards curtailing that trend and guaranteeing current or increased hunting opportunities are available today and tomorrow.”

Sportsmen should contact their Congressional elected officials and ask them to support the Hunting Heritage Protection Act. Inform them that hunters and other sportsmen and sportswomen are great stewards of federal lands and should have full access to those lands whenever and wherever possible. To find your Congressional officials, go to the Legislative Action Center.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: Hunting Legislation, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Hunting Heritage Protection Act

West Virginia adds Hunter Safety Course to School Curriculum

© By Othmar Vohringer

In a time when hunters look to the future with some justified concern about the continually declining overall hunter numbers we hear refreshing news from West Virginia.

On Aril 1st, 2008 Governor Joe Manchin (picture) signed Senate Bill 9 into effect. The bill introduces an elective hunter education program into the public school curriculum. West Virginia’s school students will have to wait to to sign up until next semester. The classes are offered over a two-week period during the school year in the 6th through 12th grades.

The legislation was passed late in the school year and school administrators still have to figure out how to implement the courses. Taking other legislation into consideration, such as the ban of any weapons from school properties.

The bill stipulates that the classes will be conducted by an instructor certified by the state Division of Natural Resources or who has other training necessary to conduct the program as determined by the state board.

The school boards and students welcome the new legislation that enables schools to teach hunter safety classes. This is nothing new, West Virginia used to have hunter education classes in the public school system many years ago. Veteran hunters still can remember when they took firearm safety courses during their high school years and are pleased to see this opportunity back in the schools again.

Tags: West Virginia, Hunter Education Courses, Governor Joe Manchin, Pro Hunting Legislation

Washington lists polar bear as threatened

© By Othmar Vohringer

Yesterday’s announcement by U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne declaring the polar bear as a threatened species came as a bit of a surprise. Only a month ago the government announced that it had no inclination to make a decision on the polar bear. This must be the quickest turn about in political history.

Kempthorne said that the melting ice cap makes this step necessary. It is predicted that by the year 2050 the habitat of the polar bear will be lost due to melting of the ice and this in turn could cause the extinction of the polar bear.

I wonder what made the U.S. government take this drastic step simply based on guesswork of what might be happening by the year 2050. Was it a cosmetic decision? I am inclined to think so especially considering that Dirk Kempthorne announced in the same breath that the listing of the polar bear on the endangered species list would not affect further oil exploration in the Artic and Alaska. Neither will America enforce any other laws and regulations to lower greenhouse gases, the very cause that melts the ice in the Arctic. Kempthorne said that considering such regulations and laws “would be a wholly inappropriate.”

One has to ask what is the point of listing the polar bear if the destruction of its habitat is still permitted by drilling oil in the Artic and polluting the air with the very gases that melt the ice? Is it possible that the American government has bowed to animal rights and environmentalist and their junk science? It’s absolutely possible and wouldn’t be the first time either.

Canada has opposed the listing of the polar bear and made it known that there are no such plans in the near future. Canada is home to two thirds of the world’s polar bear population estimated to be in the neighborhood of 30,000. According to Canadian scientists the polar bear population is still steadily growing and should to be controlled through hunting. The U.S. government’s move to list the polar bear will be hardest felt by the people of Nunavut. The Arctic Inuit people complain the U.S. listing will deter hunters who spend millions of dollars a year for the right to shoot the animals. Paul Okalik, premier of the Nunavut territory where most polar bears live, said populations were at a record level.

Under the listing policy the American hunters are not permitted to take polar bear fur or any other parts back to the United States. The listing of the polar bear as a threatened species is far from settled. Legal battles surrounding the polar bear listing soon will begin. There is hope that during these legal battles common sense will prevail over political cosmetics and feel good decisions.

Tags: Polar Bear, Politics, Endangered Species Act, U.S. Government

Good News For Hunters

© By Othmar Vohringer

Hunters in Indiana and South Dakota have reason to cheerful. From the U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance I received the following news

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance applauds Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels for signing into law a Families Afield bill establishing an apprentice hunting license, helping to ensure the future of our nation’s hunting heritage.

This legislation, House Bill 1046, allows a resident or nonresident newcomer to hunt for three years prior to the completion of a hunter education course, if they are accompanied by a licensed adult hunter.

“The passage of this apprentice license bill in Indiana shows a strong commitment to the future of the nation’s next generation of hunters,” said Bud Pidgeon, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) president. “Newcomers to hunting will be able to safely experience and learn our outdoor heritage thanks to the Families Afield initiative.”

Read more

…and from the NRA I received good news for Hunters in South Dakota.

House Bill 1263, introduced by State Representative Mike Buckingham (R-33), would help preserve South Dakota’s proud hunting heritage by granting the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks rulemaking authority to establish a youth mentored hunting program for children between ages 10 and 16. The current minimum hunting age in South Dakota is 12. While licensed youth hunters would still need to take a HuntSafe course, HB 1263 would establish a “try before you buy” program allowing younger kids to experience their first hunts without a license under the direct supervision of a licensed adult.

Read more

These are two more of a quickly growing number of U.S. states that have signed legislation into effect twill make it easier to introduce young hunters into our ranks.


Tags: News, Legislation, Youth Hunting Program, Indiana, South Dakota

Youth Hunting Bill Moving in Four States

© By Othmar Vohringer

Great news from Nebraska, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin, these four states have passed, or are in the process of passing, legislation that will make it easier to recruit new hunters into our ranks.
The following news release has been sent to me by U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Elected officials in four states are moving closer to enacting legislation lowering barriers that prevent the recruitment of new hunters.

The Nebraska Senate passed Legislative Bill 690 on February first by a vote of 46-1 for the third and final time. LB 690 creates an apprentice hunter education exemption certificate, which allows an experienced hunter to take a newcomer hunting before completing a hunter education course. The measure also lowers the deer hunting age for mentored youth from 12 to 10, allowing parents and mentors to share outdoor traditions with tomorrow’s hunters.

In Virginia, companion legislation continues to move forward. SB 617 passed the Senate by a vote of 39-0 while HB 1175 passed the House by a vote of 98-0. The companion bills would create a 2 year apprentice license to allow newcomers to take to the field with a licensed adult hunter prior to the completion of hunter education.

“These measures go a long way to ensure the future of our nation’s outdoor heritage and conservation efforts,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president. “Through the apprentice hunting experience newcomers can learn the necessary tools to safely experience and enjoy the outdoors for years to come.”

In Indiana, House Bill 1046 creates an apprentice hunting license allowing resident or nonresident newcomers, who are accompanied by a license adult hunter, to hunt for 3 years prior to the completion of a hunter education course. HB 1046 passed the House on Jan. 24 by a vote of 89-1 and awaits additional hearings in the Senate.

Finally in Wisconsin, Assembly Bill 672 had its first hearing before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The bill would establish an apprentice hunting license for those ten years old and higher, while also removing an archaic ban on allowing youth under 12 to target shoot. The measure passed out of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on January 30th, with overwhelming support.

The effort is part of the national Families Afield campaign, established by the USSA, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and National Wild Turkey Federation to urge states to review and eliminate unnecessary hunting age restrictions. Together, with the support of the National Rifle Association and state and local sportsmen’s organization, the partnership has worked to ensure support for these measures. To date, 21 states have already enacted Families Afield style bills since the program was launched in 2004.

Tags: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Families Afield, Youth Hunting, Hunter Recruitment, News, Nebraska, Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin

Canadian Parliament endorses Outdoors Caucus

© By Othmar Vohringer

It finally happened here in Canada, after much debate and struggling, M.P.s give unanimous approval for new heritage foundation. With that hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting are an official Canadian heritage. This should make it much harder for animal rights activists in the future to lobby laws that compromise or outlaw fishing, hunting and trapping.

(Ottawa – December 21, 2007) – The Parliamentary Outdoors Caucus came indoors on December 4 when some 50 members of Parliament and senators voted unanimously to endorse the creation of an independent, all-party Canadian Outdoor Heritage foundation.

At a breakfast meeting on Parliament Hill, M.P.s and senators agreed to support a foundation that will act as a liaison between the Canadian hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting community, related business sectors, and the Outdoor Caucus. The foundation will also keep the public and media informed of Outdoor Caucus activities and efforts related to federal legislation and policy. Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative M.P. and Outdoors Caucus co-chair explains, “This unprecedented evolution will provide a permanent means for the Outdoors Caucus to ensure the outdoors community has a conduit directly into Parliament. Together, we can protect our outdoors heritage.”

The foundation will play an important communications role by keeping M.P.s and senators apprised of the legislative, policy and issue priorities that arise in the outdoors community. Created in March 2006, the non-partisan Outdoors Caucus is evolving as part of an information network to receive recommendations from the outdoors community and provide legislative updates in return.

Bob Izumi, the gregarious television host of The Real Fishing Show, was guest speaker at the Parliament Hill breakfast. He stressed that the millions of Canadians who fish and hunt are a significant constituency for members of Parliament in every region of the country. They contribute millions of volunteer hours to fish and wildlife conservation. Izumi’s TV career spans 24 years and together with his brother, Wayne, he has created Fishing Forever, a non-profit organization committed to preserving and enhancing Ontario fisheries.

“It was great to see the support from Bob Izumi and the outdoors community for this important meeting,” says Larry Bagnell, Liberal M.P. and Outdoors Caucus co-chair. “Urban and rural citizens of all regions, political affiliations, ages, backgrounds and abilities take part in these outdoor sports. Parliament is a vital link in promoting and monitoring management of public lands, waterways, fish, wildlife and habitat.”

Phil Morlock, representing the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association and a proponent of the new Canadian Outdoors Heritage foundation, addressed the crowd at the December 4 meeting: “It is up to us to inform our federal representatives in Parliament of the significance of the outdoor heritage community as a major constituency, as leaders in fish and wildlife conservation and as a significant national economic entity. We promote safety, conservation and the enjoyment of Canada’s great natural beauty.

“Millions of Canadians from coast to coast spend more than $10 billion a year on these outdoor heritage activities,” he adds. “No one takes a greater active role in conserving our natural heritage than those who use it responsibly. Improved communication between the Outdoors Caucus and the outdoor community made possible through a permanent foundation is a major breakthrough for all Canadians who hunt, fish, shoot and trap.”

Tags: Canada, Politics, Outdoor Caucus, Canadian Outdoor Heritage, Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, Shooting Sport

Legislative Proposal Will Put Tight Leash on Sporting Dog Breeders

Attention to all sporting dog breeders in Pennsylvania. The following alert has been sent to be by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. Please take note and act today.

(Columbus) – Despite assurances by Pennsylvania’s administration that new kennel proposals are not intended to burden sportsmen, recent proposals to address abusive commercial dog breeders will continue to put sporting kennels and hobby breeders at risk.

Gov. Ed Rendell’s administration recently unveiled revised dog care regulations and a legislative package aimed at commercial breeding kennels and animal abusers. The proposals will continue to classify many sporting dog kennels as commercial breeders, which will mandate restrictions that will make it nearly impossible to maintain such facilities.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, along with members of its Sporting Dog Defense Coalition, alerted the administration of this and other flaws found during an initial review of the draft. The USSA will issue complete comments after analyzing the entire 100-page proposal.

Officials within the Rendell administration have agreed to consider sportsmen’s concerns. The USSA remains hopeful that these issues will be addressed as the process proceeds.

For nearly a year, the Sporting Dog Defense Coalition has been working with Pennsylvania’s sporting dog community and other dog interests to wage an education campaign aimed at the original dog law regulations introduced in 2006 by the Department of Agriculture. While the department claimed the regulations would have targeted only “puppy mills,” the regulations would have devastated sporting dog kennels, hobby breeders, boarding kennels, rescue kennels and more.

From the beginning the sporting dog community has argued that the problem must be addressed by the legislature where a clear cut distinction can be made in the dog law between large commercial operations and private kennels.

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.

Tags: Legislation, Hunting Dogs, Dog Breeders, Pennsylvania, Sporting Dog Defense Coalition, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance