LEGISLATIVE BLOCK
STATUS OF PENDING LAWS
CALIFORNIA BANS BOBCAT TRAPPING, DESPITE EVIDENCE
W
ith a contentious 3-2 vote, the California Fish
and Game Commission approved a statewide
ban on trapping of bobcats.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance and its Al Taucher
Conservation Coalition partners favored following the
science amassed by the state and federal governments.
“The narrow decision by the commission to ban
bobcat trapping in California fl ies in the face of the
science made available by the California Department
of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service,” said Josh Brones, government affairs
coordinator of western operations for the Sportsmen’s
Alliance. “For the commission to willfully ignore the
departments’ recommendations to not implement the
ban, indicates an utter lack of regard for the role and
value of science and wildlife professionals in resource
policy-making decisions.”
California Department of Fish and Wildlife,
provided evidence that the bobcat population in
California was stable and possibly growing, and
as high as 140,000 animals. When the maximum
population was estimated to be no more than 72,000
CBS, NBC, CNN SEARCH FOR ANSWERS DURING
THE COVERAGE OF ‘CECIL’ THE LION
W
bobcats nearly 30 years ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
established a threshold of harvest by hunters and
trappers to be 14,400 bobcats. Given the current
average annual take of approximately 1,800 bobcats,
the department’s staff appropriately summarized their
presentation by stating that the trapping of bobcats
would have no impact on the population.
FLORIDA COMMISSION
SUED OVER BEAR HUNT
J
ust weeks after receiving final approval, Florida’s recently
established bear season could be at risk. On Friday, July
31, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
was sued by Speak Up Wekiva, a central Florida watershed
conservation organization, and Chuck O’Neal, an
environmental activist with the League of Women Voters.
SPORTSMEN’S ALLIANCE CEO
FEATURED ON NATIONAL NEWS
Not surprisingly, the suit aims to stop the commission from
proceeding with the upcoming bear hunting season, slated
for late October. In June, the commission overwhelmingly
approved the limited bear hunt by a vote of 5-1.
Attorneys for the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation are
currently evaluating the lawsuit.
ILLINOIS GOV. SIGNS BOBCAT HUNTING BILL
hen news of “Cecil” the
lion’s death at the hands of
Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer
broke, frenzied knee-jerk reactions
ensued. Nick Pinizzotto, president
and CEO of the Sportsmen’s
Alliance, brought level-headed
intellect to the discussion by
appearing on almost all the major
networks on behalf of sportsmen.
After news of Palmer’s hunt
became public, the dentist went
into hiding as celebrities such as
Mia Farrow tweeted his business
address, comedian and actor
Ricky Gervais made comments
to his 10 million followers and
hundreds of protesters descended
upon his dental practice. Calls for
his death and the end of hunting
were common. The White House
said it would look into the matter,
which then elicited responses of
extradition from the Zimbabwean
government – who had been silent
on the matter for a month prior.
Pinizzotto appeared on CNN;
the Washington, D.C., Fox affiliate;
and twice on CBS This Morning –
including a live in-studio broadcast. He
also taped a fact-filled interview with
NBC’s Today Show that never aired.
The information Pinizzotto
put forward to mainstream media
concerned the role of hunting in
wildlife management and habitat
conservation – that without hunting
the entire ecosystem suffers, most
notably the very animals hunters
pursue and animal-rights activists
think they’re saving.
“While the backdrop wasn’t ideal
with the allegations made regarding
Palmer’s lion hunt, it did provide an
opportunity to tell the world about
the many important benefits that
come from hunting for both wildlife
management and conservation,” said
Pinizzotto. “Despite the challenging
nature of the interviews and
abundance of misinformation that is
swirling, we were proud to step up
in defense of hunting and provide an
educated and rational voice.”
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I
llinois sportsmen will be able to hunt bobcats for the first time in 43 years thanks to Gov. Bruce Rauner. Gov. Rauner signed a
bill into law July 14, allowing hunters to take one bobcat per season starting Jan. 1, 2016.
Bobcats were once listed as a threatened species in the state of Illinois, but were removed from the list in 1999 after the
population reached sustainable levels. Today, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources estimates that roughly 5,000 bobcats
roam the state, particularly in southern counties.
The vast majority of supporters for the bill also live in the southern half of the state, and claim rising bobcat populations
endanger livestock, pets and people. Opposition chiefly originated from Chicago residents.
“The Sportsmen’s Alliance is pleased that Gov. Rauner supported the sportsmen of Illinois and their role in the proper
management of wildlife,” said Adam Wright, associate director of state services. “Through responsible, scientific management,
Illinois sportsmen and the general public will be able to enjoy a sustainable population of bobcats for years to come.”
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SPORTSMEN’S MONTHLY
August 2015
August 2015
SPORTSMEN’S MONTHLY
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