19 Anti-Hunting Groups Under Federal Investigation

 

Hunters are FINALLY on the offensive! 

By now you’ve probably heard that President Trump issued an Executive Order on September 4th called, “Supporting America’s Ranchers”. This EO tasks Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to determine within 90 days if gray and Mexican wolves meet recovery criteria and may be delisted or downlisted nationwide. If the criteria are met the Department of the Interior MUST begin the formal process of delisting/downlisting. This EO also includes recommendations for States to expand lethal wolf removal measures, specifically for agricultural producers, i.e. ranchers.

But does that mean residents of states plagued by wolves can now, or will soon be able to legally kill wolves? Maybe, maybe not. 

In states like Idaho, Montana and Wyoming there is already a well regulated wolf management program in place. Other states, like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan are not so patiently waiting for the final ruling. 

Sportsmen in the Great Lakes region have been subjected to ballooning wolf numbers for the bulk of the 2000s, through the 2010s and into the 2020s. All while watching deer herds be decimated, bird dogs and bear hounds brutally killed, and wolves get endless adoration and protection at the State level. I hope the end to that lunacy is in sight. 

However, if the 2020 reaction to the Trump delisting is the status quo we can point to, we can expect this current effort to delist wolves to be met with the same rabidly emotional fervor and lawfare by the crazies who love to force their radical agenda down sportsmen’s throats. 

Until then we must wait and see, but there is hope on the horizon this time as a U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources investigation into extremist preservationist (read anti-hunting) groups seeks to uncover funding models and business practices of 19 extremist preservation groups. 

“The House Committee on Natural Resources is conducting oversight related to the outsized influence preservationist environmental nonprofit organizations wield over the federal government, law, and natural resources policy.  The Committee is particularly concerned with [the organizations’] coordinated capitalization on misleading and emotive messaging to build powerful and profitable litigation machines funded by taxpayer dollars through the exploitation of statutory fee-shifting provisions. In order to ensure compliance with Congress’ legislative intent for statutes with fee-shifting provisions and inform legislative reforms to prevent abuse by radical environmental groups, Congressional oversight of [the organizations’] lawfare campaigns and subsequent fee awards is imperative.”

Sportsmen around the country have long suspected foul play with the groups listed (click the linked text to see the list) but have never had a leg to stand on. Until now! 

Will the evil agenda to end hunting, disarm the American populace and gut livestock production through the forced reintroduction and proliferation of apex predators finally end? 

I hope so, or I fear there will be nothing left for my children and grandchildren. The American hunting heritage is worth fighting for and it seems we’re finally on the offensive! 

I’m all ears on this folks and will be looking forward to your comments.