Sportsmen Fight another Lawsuit by Antis’ Seeking to Ban Hunting and Trapping

(Columbus, Ohio) – The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has filed to represent sportsmen in yet another lawsuit brought by animal activists seeking to eliminate hunting, fishing and trapping wherever endangered or threatened species exist. The Maine based case mirrors another case from the state that was settled last October, with the plaintiff groups sharing key personnel with the plaintiff from that case. In both, the plaintiffs attempted to stop trapping altogether in Maine due to the incidental taking of the federally protected Canada lynx.

On October 10, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) asked a U.S. District Judge for permission to join a federal lawsuit brought by two anti hunting groups, the Wildlife Alliance of Maine and the Animal Welfare Institute against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

This lawsuit comes on the heels of a similar case brought previously by a third anti hunting group, the Animal Protection Institute (API), which also sought to stop trapping.

USSAF’s Legal Defense Fund (U.S. SLDF), Fur Takers of America (FTA), the National Trappers’ Association (NTA), the Maine Trappers’ Association (MTA), Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, and several individual sportsmen joined together to fight the API suit. As a result of those efforts and that of the State, the case was settled under an agreement that restricts trap sizes in areas where Canada lynx exist rather than close down trapping altogether.

“Unfortunately, these groups are joined at the hip with API. They share key personnel and use the same expert witnesses,” said Rob Sexton, USSAF vice president for government affairs. “You can’t just keep re-filing the same case whenever you’re unhappy with an outcome, especially after you agreed with the decision at the time. Yet that’s what they’re doing. The new case is nothing more than a second bite at the apple for them.”

Both the API case and the new one deal with serious legal issues regarding the possible use of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to ban all hunting, trapping, and fishing whenever there is a possibility of incidentally taking an animal that falls under federal protection.

As Mr. Sexton indicates, “Once more the antis are striking at trapping, but like the API case, if they win here, the precedent will be set to attack all forms of hunting and fishing."

The USSAF has filed to join the case, along with the MTA, FTA, NTA, and individual sportsmen Dana Johnson, Sr., Donald Dudley, and Carl Guay.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The U.S. SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects and advances America’s heritage of hunting, fishing and trapping.

When a big buck is killed, it doesn't take long for news to travel around the Internet. While details aren't confirmed, information from the e-mail circulating said:

"This buck was killed somewhere in the MS delta near Rodney, MS on Sat p.m. He is 26" wide, and they are saying he should go around 180" - 190."

What an awesome buck. We will indeed be watching this story as more details unfold. In the meantime, check out these photos:

Frequent D&DH contributor Rev. Ezekiel Pipher bagged this mature 9-point buck while bow-hunting in Nebraska last week.

A Texas man is being tried in Wisconsin for allegedly releasing feral hogs
in Wisconsin as a way of protesting the state's strict nonresident deer
hunting regulations.

Robert Johnson, 55, of San Marcos, Texas, allegedly drove 31 wild hogs from
Texas and released them in Clark County, Wis., in 2002. Wisconsin, which had no feral hogs until then, now has resident populations in more than 30
counties.

A judge is hearing the case. Johnson faces possible fines up to $31,000.

For more on this story, click here.

In September, we showed you the happy results of Forrest Haunschild's first successful deer hunt. Well, the 12-year-old Wisconsin native has done it again. After earning his buck tag with that early season doe, Forrest bagged his first buck this past weekend. He shot the 18-inch wide 8-pointer after watching it walk within mere yards of his tree stand. One shot from his 55-pound BowTech Raptor was all it took. Congratulations once again, Forrest. What an awesome buck!

United States Sportsmen's Alliance along with its coalition partners,
including the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), are disappointed
by the recent decision of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s veto
Assembly Bills 815 and 2132.

AB 815 would have prevented a confusing mishmash of local regulations from
stifling hunters, anglers, and trappers. AB 2132 would have prohibited the
intentional removal of a dog’s collar, thus providing protection for
sportsmen and their hunting dogs.

In a veto message, Gov. Schwarzenegger indicated the bills were not a high
enough priority and was sent to him too late as the result of other
legislative issues.

While it is recognized that many other pieces of legislation were vetoed for
comparable reasons, there had been strong support for AB815 and AB2132.
USSA urges that these bills be introduced in the next legislative session,
passed, and, ultimately signed by the Governor. There is absolutely no
reason not to provide peace of mind to California sportsmen.

Submitted by Matt Harper, Contributing Editor

I went out last weekend to do a little scouting in some stands that I have not been to for a while.  The weekend was fairly warm, but Saturday morning the temperature was cool early at around 45 degrees. I had seen some turkeys, 'coons etc., and a young 6 pointer -- and was just about ready to get out of the stand to make a mock scrape when I heard a large animal coming toward me at a run.  I was surprised to see that it was a big-bodied buck.  I didn’t have much time but I knew he was a big, mature deer with good head gear.  I bleated stopping him at 25 yards quartering away.  He has great brows, a split G2 and a 3 inch kicker on the left main-beam.  He gross scores 153 and weighed approximately 285 lbs. on the hoof.  I took a quick look at the teeth and I think he is about 5-1/2 years old or older.  Definitely the earliest P&Y kill I have ever had.  By the way, really no reason to make a mock scrape considering there where 4 scrapes where I shot the buck within a 20 yard circumference.