Annual Reports 2019 Annual Report | Page 18

ANIMAL RIGHTS TARGETS IN 2020 LOOKING AHEAD The biggest issues in 2020 continue the anti-hunting game plan of targeting predators, trapping and African game. contest bans Animal-rights groups have seized upon an emotional trigger and will continue to push bans on wildlife contests nationwide. elections Local, state and national elections will shape our outdoor future. b anning wildlife contests was the biggest trend we saw in 2019, and in it we saw the blueprint for the ultimate agenda of the animal-rights movement. Multi-state legislation that started as a ban on coyote contests eventually morphed into bills that encompassed any competition involving wildlife for prizes or even entertainment. Ultimately, those penalties became felonies, equating the death of a coyote with that of a person. In 2020, we expect the same onslaught of targeted legislation, but with more media coverage due to elections. african game Import bans in California out West and in New York and Con- necticut in the East will continue and likely expand. Trapping Sunday hunting Antiquated laws prohibiting Sunday hunting plague sports- men in eastern states. We’ll work to fix that problem and open hunt- ing opportunities! The lowest hanging fruit in the outdoors, anti-hunters prey on trappers. Gun control Dog laws Unnecessary regulations aim to shut down sporting dog kennels, breed- ers and trainers. Election cycles always ramp up firearm legislation.