Post by 4Pointer on Jul 1, 2009 16:55:42 GMT -5
Fight to Defend Hunting in Wildlife Refuges
7/1/09
The battle to defend hunting rights on National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System lands continues. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is filing a response to anti-hunters in an ongoing lawsuit that seeks to block hunting in over fifty areas of federal land within the NWR.
This long running case began in 2003 when the Fund for Animals, which later merged with the Humane Society of the United States, filed a lawsuit to stop hunting on certain refuges. The suit called for an end to hunting on 39 National Wildlife Refuges that had been opened since the 1997 passage of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) backed National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.
The anti’s claimed that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) action to allow hunting on NWR land violated the National Environmental Policy Act and should require an Environmental Impact Statement.
Over the years, the case has taken multiple turns and the anti’s have amended the lawsuit to include additional refuges where hunting would be prohibited. The new legal briefs are just the latest in a long line that has been filed as the anti’s have prolonged the case.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (SLDF), the legal arm of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, has worked since the beginning of this case to defend the rights of hunters and has collaborated with other groups including Safari Club International (SCI). Together, the SLDF and SCI are co-counsels and also represent Ducks Unlimited, Izzak Walton League, Delta Waterfowl Foundation, and California Waterfowl Association.
Throughout the NWR System, excellent opportunities exist for sportsmen to pursue waterfowl, big game and much more. Hunting is a popular public activity on refuge land and a practical means of maintaining optimal wildlife populations. This has led the FWS to manage land to produce and maintain wildlife populations that will support the sport.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 empowered the FWS to open refuges to hunting when compatible with the purposes for which the refuges were established. In 1997, National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act went a step further. It ensures that the NWR System is managed for wildlife conservation and that hunting and fishing are priority public uses on refuge units.
7/1/09
The battle to defend hunting rights on National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System lands continues. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is filing a response to anti-hunters in an ongoing lawsuit that seeks to block hunting in over fifty areas of federal land within the NWR.
This long running case began in 2003 when the Fund for Animals, which later merged with the Humane Society of the United States, filed a lawsuit to stop hunting on certain refuges. The suit called for an end to hunting on 39 National Wildlife Refuges that had been opened since the 1997 passage of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) backed National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.
The anti’s claimed that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) action to allow hunting on NWR land violated the National Environmental Policy Act and should require an Environmental Impact Statement.
Over the years, the case has taken multiple turns and the anti’s have amended the lawsuit to include additional refuges where hunting would be prohibited. The new legal briefs are just the latest in a long line that has been filed as the anti’s have prolonged the case.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (SLDF), the legal arm of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, has worked since the beginning of this case to defend the rights of hunters and has collaborated with other groups including Safari Club International (SCI). Together, the SLDF and SCI are co-counsels and also represent Ducks Unlimited, Izzak Walton League, Delta Waterfowl Foundation, and California Waterfowl Association.
Throughout the NWR System, excellent opportunities exist for sportsmen to pursue waterfowl, big game and much more. Hunting is a popular public activity on refuge land and a practical means of maintaining optimal wildlife populations. This has led the FWS to manage land to produce and maintain wildlife populations that will support the sport.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 empowered the FWS to open refuges to hunting when compatible with the purposes for which the refuges were established. In 1997, National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act went a step further. It ensures that the NWR System is managed for wildlife conservation and that hunting and fishing are priority public uses on refuge units.
