Sadly , the judicial branch remains the last hope for many sportsmen in America . In too many state legislatures , anti-hunting majorities have been whipped into a frenzy by the animal extremists , and as they chip away at our heritage , hunter numbers continue to decline and wildlife management takes the hit . This is where the SLDF remains a critical piece of our ongoing defense of hunting nationwide .

For example , the Sportsmen ’ s Alliance Foundation recently brought suit against a sitting fish and wildlife commissioner in

Washington state , Lorna Smith ( see page 4 ). Ms . Smith has been an appointed yet unconfirmed member of the commission for many years , all while violating a state law which prohibits her from occupying other appointed or elected positions in the state . Not surprisingly , Ms . Smith has pushed an extreme animal-rights agenda throughout her tenure on the commission and our lawsuit is the first of our planned efforts to bring sanity back to decision making in Washington .

The SLDF also helps fund our ongoing lawsuits defending state fish and wildlife management authority against overbearing federal agencies who seek to overturn state decisions on the method and manner of take , season lengths and related decisions in Alaska and elsewhere . Similarly , the Alliance also filed suit against the U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service when it decided to ban the use of dogs for hunting on the Conte National Wildlife Refuge in Vermont , a decision that was made with no input from sportsmen or prior warning by the federal agency .

The only limitation to the Alliance filing many more suits like these is the availability of funding . With a stronger SLDF , the Alliance can bring the fight in many more venues to protect many more hunters , anglers and trappers . As with everything , the more we stand united as a community , the more we can take back what the animal extremists have taken away . With your help , we can turn back the tide , even in those states where the animal extremists appear to be winning the day , and promise a brighter horizon for future generations .

Following this issue of the Sportsmen ’ s Advocate , you will receive a letter from our president and CEO , Evan Heusinkveld , asking you to support the SLDF . Please consider making a gift in response to that letter . You can also make a gift online at sportsmensalliance . org / sldf . If you ’ d like to speak with someone about a larger gift , feel free to call Vice President of Development Aaron Carmichael at 317-910-1966 .

ADOBE STOCK