Email from our friends Big Game Forever

Concerned over the growing momentum behind the American Wildlife and Livestock Protection Act, H.R. 509 and S.249, the environmental community and their champions in Congress have gone on the offensive.

Senator Boxer (D) California and Senator Cardin (D) Maryland have chosen divisive political rhetoric over responsible wildlife management by suggesting the bill sets “a dangerous precedent that undermines the Endangered Species Act and threatens the continued existence of the Gray Wolf across this country.” Sportsmen are being accused of “hysterical anti-wolf hatred” for simply asking the federal government to fulfill longstanding commitments and the promises of the ESA.

Senator Boxer and Cardin, you still don’t get it. Trust the American People, trust local people, not Washington DC Bureaucrats. You can trust the people, the sportsmen, the ranchers, and the state wildlife professionals who have fixed the federal government failures over the last fifty years. Wolves, and all wildlife will be in better hands being managed by the states, than mismanaged by the people who have put our country fifteen trillion dollars in debt and kept our country at ten percent unemployment.

The stage has been set. Anti hunting groups now claim to have sent tens of thousands of emails to members of Congress to slow down this important legislation. It is time for the 65,000,000 American Sportsmen to stand up to the environmental bullies, to protect our rights and to protect America’s wildlife.

Please take 30 seconds and email all of your elected officials using our automated system at http://capwiz.com/biggameforever/home/ Simply click on “Take Action” and with some basic information the system will automatically email your representatives in Congress. Take a few minutes and get the word out to your friends.

Ryan Benson and Don Peay
Founders Big Game Forever
http://biggameforever.org

We support Big Game Forever 100% and urge all sportsmen to take action and contact your elected officials ASAP, together we can win this war. – Hunters Against PETA

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

Please Help Sportsmen Out in Michigan

In September, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Forest Service’s regulations required that it consider banning hunting with firearms on lands designated as “semi-primitive” within the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

The Court feels that the noise associated with gun hunting could harm the quality of the recreational experience of hikers, backpackers, and cross country skiers. Additionally, the Court ruled that the Forest Service had to consider closing these areas if other public hunting land was available for gun hunting nearby.

As a result of the court ruling, the Forest Service began a formal review to determine if it should move forward with a gun hunting ban on these areas. Currently, the Service is considering two options:

1. a “No-Action” alternative which would allow hunting to continue without change; and
2. a “Modified Closure” alternative that would implement either a complete or partial ban on hunting with guns in the semi-primitive areas.

Take Action! Sportsmen should submit comments to the Forest Service supporting the “No-Action” alternative that would continue to allow hunting with firearms on areas designated as semi-primitive. Sportsmen can mail comments to:

Lee Evison, Forest Planner, Huron-Manistee National Forests
1755 S. Mitchell Street
Cadillac, MI 49601

Sportsmen can also fax comments to Lee Evison at (231) 775-5551 or email comments to comments-eastern – huronmanistee@fs.fed.us.

Please include your name and address with your comments. Emailed comments must include “Forest Plan SEIS” as the subject line of the email.

All comments must be received by February 11, 2011.

We urge everyone who reads this to please take a few minutes and submit your comments and opinions opposing this idea by voting that they take option #1 “NO ACTION”. – Hunters Against PETA

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

Wolves in all lower 48 states?

Can you possibly imagine a super predator much like the black plague in the 13th century going through your home state and wiping out nearly all of your big game animals within only a few years time? Well it is happening right now in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. And will absolutely happen to the surrounding states and all states if sportsmen sit back, remain idle and do nothing to fight the animal rights groups and the wolves they reintroduced back into the wild.

There are anti-hunting groups right now that are trying their damndest to reintroduce wolves into all of the lower 48 states. Their argument is that wolves were here first and so they should be allowed to roam free and kill at will. Well in our opinion humans were here first and its up to us to control the wildlife populations not a super predator (killer) that will wipe out every big game animal in its path if given the chance. Wolves have no sense at all of wildlife population control. There wolves right now in Montana and Yellowstone that are dying of starvation because they wiped out all of their food source.

The elk and deer that are roaming the mountains in America right now have never seen or dealt with a super predator like this and that makes them very easy targets. It was a very bad idea to reintroduce wolves back into Yellowstone and an even worse idea to want to reintroduce them back into the lower 48 states. We at Hunters Against PETA have made this serious wolf problem our crusade and personal fight and will keep fighting this threat until we win.

If wolves spread throughout all the lower 48 states our big game will disappear and our hunting rights and hunting period will disappear.

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

Update from Secretary Salazar Regarding Our Recreation-Hunting Land

This article was pulled directly from MSNBC.com

DENVER — The Obama administration on Thursday undid a Bush-era policy that curbed some types of wilderness designations within the 245 million acres managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management.

While Congress remains the only body allowed to create “Wilderness Areas,” the move gives BLM field managers the go ahead to protect areas determined to have “wilderness characteristics.”

“I am proud to sign a secretarial order that restores protections for the wild lands that the Bureau of Land Management oversees on behalf of the American people,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in Denver, where he announced the shift.

Congressional Republicans pounced on the announcement as an attempt by the Obama administration to close land to development without congressional approval.

“This backdoor approach is intended to circumvent both the people who will be directly affected and Congress. I have to question why this announcement is being made only after Congress adjourned for the year,” said Washington state Rep. Doc Hastings, a Republican tapped to lead to the House Natural Resources Committee when the GOP takes control of the House in January.

The order essentially repeals a policy adopted in 2003 under then Interior Secretary Gale Norton. That policy stated that Interior could not designate some wilderness protections on its own and had to rely only on Congress for any designations.

The 2003 policy reflected an out-of-court deal struck between Norton and then-Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt to remove protections for some 2.6 million acres of federal land in Utah.

The policy allowed oil and gas drilling, mining and other commercial uses on land under consideration as wilderness areas.

The new policy creates a management category called “Wild Lands”.

The Interior Department said that “‘Wild Lands,’ which will be designated through a public process, will be managed to protect wilderness characteristics unless or until such time as a new public planning process modifies the designation.

“Because the ‘Wild Lands’ designation can be made and later modified through a public administrative process, it differs from ‘Wilderness Areas,’ which are designated by Congress and cannot be modified except by legislation, and ‘Wilderness Study Areas,’ which BLM typically must manage to protect wilderness characteristics until Congress determines whether to permanently protect them as Wilderness Areas or modify their management.”

BLM Director Bob Abbey said it hasn’t been decided how many acres are expected be designated as “Wild Lands” and whether those acres will be off-limits to motorized recreation or commercial development while under congressional review. It’s also unclear whether there will be a time limit on how long acres can be managed as “Wild Lands” before a decision is made on their future.

Salazar said the agency will also resume evaluating federal BLM lands that could be recommended to Congress for designation as wilderness areas.

The BLM has six months to submit a plan for new wilderness evaluations, Salazar said.

Ranchers, oil men and others have been suspicious of federal plans to lock up land in the West, worrying that taking the BLM land out of production would kill rural economies that rely on ranchers and the eastern Montana oil and gas business.

Their suspicions have been heightened since memos leaked in February revealed the Obama administration was considering 14 sites in nine states for possible presidential monument declarations.

That included 2.5 million acres of northeastern Montana prairie land proposed as a possible bison range, along with sites in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington.

Environmental groups praised the reversal, though there has been grumbling that it took the Obama administration nearly two years to overturn the Bush-era policy.

“Washington D.C. always takes longer than you want, but we’re glad we’ve gotten here,” said Suzanne Jones, regional director for The Wilderness Society.

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

A Wolf in New Mexico Just Died from an Ingested Plastic Ear Tag

This article was pulled directly from NewsWest9.com

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says a Mexican gray wolf found dead in southwestern New Mexico in October probably died of an intestinal rupture.

A preliminary report says the female wolf from the Morgart pack ingested a plastic ear tag commonly used on domestic cattle and that a rupture in the small intestines likely killed the animal.

An analysis found no sign of cattle hair in the wolf’s digestive tract, and officials had no reports of wolf-related cattle depredations in the area.

Fish and Wildlife law enforcement says the wolf’s death appears to be accidental.

The agency wasn’t able to determine how the animal swallowed an ear tag.

The federal government began releasing wolves in 1998 along the Arizona-New Mexico border in an effort to establish a wild population.

We wonder where the cow is that was wearing that plastic ear tag? – Hunters Against PETA

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

Pepsi and the HSUS

The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) which happens to be the largest anti-hunting organization in the world is very close to receiving a $250,000 dollar grant from Pepsi.

Pepsi will give $250,000 to the top two vote getters in an online grant program it developed to provide funding to a variety of different projects. Currently, the HSUS is leading the race.

This program is called the ”Pepsi Refresh Program” and was started in January, 2010. Here’s the rules: “an online grant program which makes available millions of dollars to be granted to projects which are intended to improve communities through an online, democratic voting process…”

“Basically is states that up to 1,000 ideas can be submitted each month by individuals, companies and non-profit organizations. Thirty two of those ideas will be approved for funding based upon the number of votes received from registered online users. Of those thirty two; two will receive $250,000 and ten each will receive grants of $5 thousand, $25 thousand, or $50 thousand.”

“The Pepsi Refresh Program rules state that no proposal seeking funding can involve lobbying for the changing of laws.” The HSUS’s proposal that is leading in the current round of voting claims its goal is to “rescue animals who are suffering from extreme neglect.”

However the HSUS can do whatever they like with the grant money if they win, consequently putting more money in their pocket to further fight our hunting rights.

All sportsmen please take action and let Pepsi know that you’re displeased with them supporting the HSUS.

•Register at the Pepsi Refresh Program website, http://www.refresheverything.com and vote for a more worthy proposal.
•Contact Pepsi through their consumer phone number, 1-800-433-2652 or Click here to send an e-mail by picking “Question or comment about the Pepsi Refresh Project” from the drop down menu. Please ask Pepsi Co. not to support the HSUS. Explain that HSUS is the number one anti-hunting organization in the United States and has opposed sportsmen on many issues for years.
We at Hunters Against PETA are currently putting together a letter that we will send to Pepsi telling them the truth about the HSUS and our disapproval of them supporting the HSUS.

Other great groups such as the USSA and the Animal Agriculture Alliance have sent letters expressing their disapproval and we encourage all sportsmen to follow suit. – Hunters Against PETA

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

Turkey Time is Here

Could you possibly imagine having Thanksgiving without any turkey meat? Well that’s exactly what the animal groups want and what they’re pushing for. Every year around this time the anti’s start sending out letters to turkey farmers and grocery stores urging them to stop selling and killing turkeys. Saying it’s cruel and unusual to kill and eat so many turkeys.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I can still remember how excited I would get when I was a kid and Thanksgiving rolled around. My family has had a tradition that’s been going on for the last 50+ years. We all get together and play a football game in the morning before dinner and we call it the “Turkey Bowl”, do you notice that it’s not called the “Soy Bowl” or “Vegetarian Bowl”. Eating meat is as natural to man as waking up everyday or the sun rising in the east.

Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if we didn’t consume some delicious turkey meat. As a matter of fact, if I get lucky next year and draw a turkey tag I’ll be eating some wild turkey for my next turkey day.

Some of the best turkey I’ve ever had, was a wild turkey that was deep fried in peanut oil. Peanut oil gives turkey meat some of the flavor I’ve ever had.

I wish and hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. We must do whatever we can to carry on our American traditions. We must fight to keep our freedoms and rights to carry on our traditions to future generations.

Take care and good hunting.

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

A Victory for Sportsmen!

Recently is was announced that the EPA rejected the petition to ban all lead fishing tackle that was being pushed by the animal rights groups. This victory is a huge stepping stone in the right direction to protecting our rights. If sportsmen would’ve lost this fight, it would’ve spilled over making it easier to ban lead ammo which animal rights groups are pushing as well right now.

When I read the email that was sent to me stating that sportsmen had won this fight and that over 48,000 sportsmen voiced their opinions of disapproval. I nearly shouted in excitement, it’s great to see so many sportsmen stand up and voice their opinions. This goes to show that sportsmen will not just sit back and let their rights get taken away by anti-hunting/fishing – animal rights groups. If they had it their way everyone would be vegetarians/vegans, driving electrical cars and eating soy steaks and soy hot dogs instead of a good ole prime rib beef steak.

This fight has nothing (ZERO) to do with lead fishing tackle or lead ammo. This is 100% about trying to take away our fishing and hunting rights. Animal rights groups do want us to hunt and fish any more and they’ll keep pushing their agenda and beliefs onto to us as long as they’re in business.

We at Hunters Against PETA want to say thank you and congratulate all those sportsmen who took a stand to fight this. It’s only because of you that we were able to win this fight.

Thanks for you support.

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

The EPA Rejects the Petition to Ban Lead Fishing Tackle

Thanks to your help, on Thursday, November 4, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected the petition to ban lead in all fishing tackle.

The EPA and Members of Congress received more than 43,000 messages from anglers just like you opposing a federal ban on lead in fishing tackle. Your voice was heard and had a direct impact on the EPA’s decision.

Despite the good news, the fight is not over! There is still work to be done and we can’t do it without your help.

Donate now to help KeepAmericaFishing™ keep the EPA out of fishing.

Legislation recently introduced in Congress will ensure future efforts to ban lead in fishing tackle are based on scientific fact, not guess work or unproven claims. If this legislation fails to pass, the costs of sinkers, jigs and other fishing tackle will significantly increase.

Donate now to help KeepAmericaFishing advocate and preserve your right to fish on our public waters.

Your contribution will directly support KeepAmericaFishing’s efforts to keep our nation’s waters open, clean, and abundant with fish now and for generations to come.

Thank you for sharing your voice.

Here’s to tight lines!

Gordon Robertson
KeepAmericaFishing™

This is great news and a victory for all sportsmen across America. It’s great to see sportsmen ban together and fight for something we all love. – Hunters Against PETA

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com

Great Letter Supporting the Delisting of Wolves

Monday, October 21, 2010

Dear Montana Congressional Delegation,

We write to express our support for H.R. 6028 sponsored by Congressman Denny Rehberg and Congressman Chet Edwards, to remove wolves from listing under the Endangered Species Act and return wolves to state management. We also support the Senate version of H.R. 6028, S. 3919, sponsored by Senators Hatch, Crapo, Risch, Barrasso and Enzi. We applaud the efforts which have resulted in obtaining broad based bi-partisan support for this important legislation.

The experimental reintroduction and explosive growth of wolf populations across the Northern Rockies and Upper Midwest, and in particular in our own state of Montana has become of great concern to the Montana livestock industry, wildlife organizations and sportsmen’s groups. Wolf populations reached delisting criteria as early as the 1970’s in Minnesota, 1993-1994 in Wisconsin and Michigan and 2002 in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The decisions by both the Bush and Obama administrations to delist wolves have been repeatedly challenged in an ongoing effort to stop any wolf management in the lower 48 states and to undermine state management of its wildlife and grazing resources.

Notwithstanding the best efforts by the state of Montana and the explosion of wolf populations far beyond established delisting numbers, legal and political maneuvering has prevented the promised return of wolves to state wildlife management. Montana is not alone. The states of Idaho, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan are experiencing similar challenges. It has become clear that saturated wolf populations are now doing significant damage not only to wildlife populations in some of our most important wilderness areas, but also threatening the economic health of livestock producers across much of the Northern Rockies. We feel the future of the livestock industry and wildlife populations in Montana depend on the passage of these two important bills.

We join with our counterpart organizations in the states of Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Arizona and New Mexico in support of these bills. We strongly oppose any efforts that would: (1) delist only portions of the United States wolf population; (2) leave the door open to ongoing legal challenges by anti-grazing and anti-hunting groups that could further delay needed wolf control activities; or (3) that would undermine the authority of state fish and game agencies to manage wolves or other wildlife populations.

Given the importance of this legislation to the state of Montana, we urge each of you to dedicate whatever resources are needed to enact this legislation. Additionally, we ask you to apply the political capital with members of Congress across the country to obtain the remaining votes needed for passage of S. 3919 and H.R. 6028. While we understand that Congress has many important matters to address, no legislation is more important to the future of wildlife and livestock in Montana.

Thank you for your leadership on this important management issue.
Sincerely,

Bob Hanson, President
Montana Farm Bureau Federation

Errol Rice
Montana Stockgrowers Association

David L. McEwen
Montana Woolgrowers Association

Alan Merrill, President
Montana Farmers Union

Kim Baker, MCA, President
Montana Cattleman Association

David Allen, CEO
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Marshall Johnson, Regional Director
Mule Deer Foundation-Montana

Bill Merrill, President
Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and Wildlife-Montana

Jon Wemple
Safari Club International
Western Montana

George Cobb, Regional Representative
Safari Club International-Montana

We fully support this letter and encourage other sportsmen/hunters to do the same – Hunters Against PETA

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com