Conservation vs. ‘animal welfare’
Sportsmen and women are America’s original conservationists, and play a critical role in conserving our nation’s treasured fish and wildlife, and their habitat. The unique American system of conservation funding, based on a “user pays — public benefits” model, ensures these valuable resources are managed by professionals using the best available science.
Through this system, excise taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, motorboat fuel, and other sporting goods are combined with revenues from hunting and fishing licenses to fund state fish and wildlife agencies — the primary managers of our nation’s fish and wildlife. Sportsmen and women contributed over $2.3 billion through this system last year alone.
Anti-sportsmen organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), consistently attempt to undermine this incredibly successful system by attacking our time-honored traditions while painting themselves as having the best interests of our fish and wildlife at heart. Contrary to what they would have you believe, and much to the chagrin of their supporters, of the $120 million spent by HSUS in 2013, only about 1 percent actually went to benefit animals through donations to animal shelters. Much of the central activity of HSUS is centered on political campaigns and public relations efforts designed to spread mistruths about America’s outdoor heritage and the important role it plays in conservation.
We need look no farther than our own borders to see the true nature of HSUS. Here in Maine, HSUS is reported to have pledged to spend $3 million to sway the voters into banning bear hunting with the use of dogs, bait and traps when they head to the polls on Nov. 4.
Maine’s bear management program is rooted in responsible and sustainable harvesting practices and is celebrated for its success. As a result of this success, over $60 million per year is added to Maine’s economy by bear hunting, and critical conservation dollars are generated for bear conservation efforts. Baiting, trapping, and hunting with dogs are key features of Maine’s management strategy, and account for 93 percent of the annual harvest. Even with these techniques allowed, the population has increased 30 percent over the last decade to now include 30,000 bears statewide. Biologists from Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife — the leading wildlife management experts in the state — have publicly stated that they are opposed to banning these traditional methods, and the HSUS has now sued them for doing so.
If you truly care about our state’s wildlife, head to the polls on November 4, and vote “No” on Question 1. Then, regardless of whether you intend to use them, go buy a hunting or fishing license. Every penny you spend on your license will go directly to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and will be put to use conserving our fish, wildlife, and the incredible habitat in which they thrive.
Representative Steve Wood (R-Sabattus) is co-chair of the bipartisan Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.
