BILL INTRODUCED TO BAN PURSUIT OF BEAR AND BOBCAT IN CA

[RIFLEMAN]

Boss Hog,

All the revenue received from DFG goes into the states general fund, every year the DFG gets the same amount of funding regardless of any loss of tag or license sales from previous years.

This is not correct. The revenue from DFG typically goes to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and other DFG accounts (such as the Big Game Account in the case of bear and hog tag revenues). In years past, the governor has often attempted to raid the fund to augment deficits in the general fund. This motivated COHA, CHC, and other conservation organizations to craft legislation that would protect revenues generated from the sale of big game tags from being used for purposes other than big game.

I wish they would make up their dam minds.

As the situation changes, so, too, do the tactics. This is pretty simple logic.

well that's 2 trips to sac and two times they didn't even vote on it , Im starting to wonder if whoever is running this thing knows wtf is really going on. Its a lil frustrating having to leave work at a moments notice and drive all the way to sac for nothing.

It appears that you were not made aware of the unpredictable nature of the call for a vote on the Senate Floor...there is no way for us, the opposition, to know when it will be called for a vote as opposed to being passed, and we communicated this to those in our distribution. The benefits of going would be to visit the offices of the Senators, and being there for the vote would only be of ancillary purpose.

Now that the bill rests within the Assembly, there will be a maximum of two scheduled hearings (one for Water, Parks, and Wildlife and if passed, one for Appropriations), and the dates will be communicated as soon as they are posted. However, should it get to the Assembly Floor, we will not have a set date for the vote.

[RIFLEMAN]

They have been playing dirty hardball for a while now as we stay politically correct. This whole campaign of 1221 has been nothing but lies deciet and money talking. The CHC needs to start making drastic decisions about what needs to be done before it is to late. As i have said before we need to start fighting fire with fire instead of trying to put there fire out with our garden hose.

CHC is certainly open to ideas, Clint. Please send me a PM with your suggestions.

For example, supposedly hound hunting puts a burden on Game Wardens due to increased poaching (can I have proof that hound hunters represent a larger percentage of poachers?).

Good point. Many wardens are opposed to 1221 because it removes their eyes and ears from the field, and would make it harder for them to catch poachers.

this may sound dumb but cant we all chip in get a fleet of lawyers and sue the state?

Are there any attorneys among us??? I would think that because the state of Ca. is trying to do this and if the bill is passed that they would be open to class action law suits do to the depredation that will occur to domestic livestock as well as pets.

I'm not an attorney, but i don't think hiring one or one hundred attorneys would help us currently. A lawsuit requires standing. We do not have standing at this time. Stock growers and others in the ag industry may have standing if this bill is signed into law and it can be demonstrated that this bill is the corollary cause for increased damage to their enterprise by bear and/or bobcat. Even then, if the class is successful in the suit, it would seem to be a more plausible outcome for them to be entitled to compensation rather than an inherent reversal of 1221. Again, I'm no legal authority.

This is getting absolutley ridiculous, I just finished watching the video and im floored that these people can buy a senator to push laws thru for them, i have a hundred bucks that says the humane society will be giving that senator alot of money for his next campain.

Welcome to politics. Republican Tony Strickland was THE deciding vote of support in the Senate, and what do you know...the next day, HSUS endorsed his campaign for Congress. I'm betting that there was some good ol' fashioned horse trading for his vote that went on before the vote was called.

I also wish there was more of a heads up for showing up at these meetings (I know of a few people who couldn't join me at the last one because they didn't have enough time to get the day off from work)

There simply is no way to give more of a heads up. The bill can be called for a vote during any general session.

but am wondering if that's the Senate's plan... to keep us in the dark for as long as possible so they can get as few of us as they can to attend.

Yes, that is precisely a tactic of a bill's author. They want to see their bill pass through and will call for a vote when they think they have the greatest Yes votes and the lowest No votes.

At this last hearing I was able to bring my folks along and my dad just *knew* that with only 3 supporters of the bill standing up to speak and hundreds of hunters lined up to oppose the bill that there was no way it could go through.... but goes to show that these politicians already knew how they were going to vote. Which is why we need to be on the phone and mailing letters! They are ignorant and need to be educated and know that our fight will not stop until this has ended!

Yes, you would think that when you have a few supporters, a massive amount of opposition, and lots of logical reasons why a bill should not be passed, the legislators in a given committee would kill a bill. But as you point out, these individuals did not take the constituents' opposition or fact to heart.

[KLS]

[quote]This is getting absolutley ridiculous, I just finished watching the video and im floored that these people can buy a senator to push laws thru for them, i have a elcome to politics. Republican Tony Strickland was THE deciding vote of support in the Senate, and what do you know...the next day, HSUS endorsed his campaign for Congress. I'm betting that there was some good ol' fashioned horse trading for his vote that went on before the vote was called.


I just had a long talk with an aid to senator Strickland and they seem hung up on the fair chase issue that's why he voted for the bill she said,I told her that their are a lot of angry hunters and that he stab us in the back.Call and voice your anger at a fellow Rep that throw us under the bus.They bought into the lies and they seem to think that the dogs are being abused and are getting killed or lost and left for dead.I did my best to tell her the truth but i think it fell on deaf ears? we can't win this war unless we get the facts out to those that are trying to take our rights away.She bragged about his pro gun and hunting record and that he was elected senator of the year by the Ca. rifle and pistol assn,i will contact them in the morning and let them know that their senator is now being endorsed by the H.S.U.S.
Spend a few mins and vent to this guy especially if he's your elected senator let him know that fellow Rep aren't going to vote for him.HAMMER THIS TRAITOR!!! god i'm pissed

Senator Tony Strickland
916 651-4019
fax 916 324-7544

[duster]

Rifleman,

I am the vice-president of the Michigan Bear Hunters Association. We would like to help out in this fight. Please send me a PM.

Thanks,
Tim Dusterwinkle

[Emily]

I've been discussing this with a member of the MFHA--the Masters of Foxhounds Assoc. That is a national group, and pretty well funded. They would very much like to make common cause with us on this issue. I am also a member of the board of the NY Houndsmen Conservation Assoc. and we would be glad to support you in any way that makes sense, but we would like the initiative to be coming from California.

The MFHA sent out a fund raising letter. I'm not entirely sure who the funds went to or how they were used, but you Californians should definitely get in touch with the MFHA guy who signed the letter. Also, after losing the battle for hounds in England, the fox hunters have some experience with what didn't work.

My thought is that you need to hire an experienced lobbyist to work in Sacramento on your behalf. In NY, we have lobbyists working for us at the state level. If you would like to get in touch with them for recommendations on someone appropriate in California, and for an idea of what it might cost, pm me.

From my friend in the MFHA in NY:
This is a fund raising letter our organization sent out on the HSUS
motivated ban on hunting bear and cat with hounds in California. We work
with several organizations trying to expose HSUS for who they truly are.
Despite a very united front from California sportsmen we lost this round.
The vote passed in California. If HSUS continues to be successful getting
this ban it will be just a period of time before they are in your state.
Your organization needs to join with us, USSA and NAIA to get this stopped.
A good , insightful blog article by John Strassburger, hunting editor of the
Chronicle of the Horse
http://www.horse-journal.com/john-stras ... 80%99s-sb-
1221-the-next-step-on-the-animal-rights-agenda/ for your perusal.



USSA release:


Anti-Hunting Bill Passes California Senate


(Columbus, OH) -California Senate Bill 1221, a bill that will ban the use of
hounds to hunt black bears and bobcats, passed the state's Senate today. The
passage of SB 1221 by the senate casts a dark cloud over the future of all
hunting and wildlife management in California. Senate Bill 1221 passed with
a vote of 22 to 15 in favor.

The bill, which is sponsored by the radical animal rights group Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS), triggered a strong outpouring of
opposition from California sportsmen and women, plus sportsmen's
organizations, in the state and nationwide. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
(USSA) denounced this retaliatory wildlife management bill that was created
when HSUS could not have a state game commissioner removed for his legal
mountain lion hunt. As the bill moved forward from introduction and through
the hearing process, hundreds of opponents wearing orange "NO on SB 1221"
buttons also packed the corridors of the capital to let their Senators know
they opposed this anti-hunting bill.

"The California Senate today chose retribution and revenge over sound
science-based wildlife management," explained Evan Heusinkveld, USSA's
director of state services. "Despite having a Fish and Game Commission
explicitly designed to handle these questions free from the politics of the
statehouse, the California Senate voted in favor of a hunting ban."

USSA has been working with the Masters of Foxhounds Association, California
Houndsmen for Conservation and the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance to
defeat SB 1221.

Fast Facts on SB 1221

* The bill would outlaw the use of hounds to hunt bears and bobcats.
* Hunting bears and bobcats with hounds has been legal since the state
formally organized a game commission and established game management and
hunting laws.
* Hounds are actually used in wildlife management practices and
projects.
* Hunters using hounds to pursue bears actually take fewer bears than
is recommended by the state's game department.
* This bill is being pushed by the radical animal rights group-the
Humane Society of the United States-the same group that has pushed
anti-farming and puppy mill bills in California in the past.



Dennis Signature

Lt. Col. Dennis J. Foster (US Army, ret.)

Executive Director

MFHA

540-955-5680



When injustice becomes law, Resistance becomes duty." T. Jefferson

[slowandeasy]

now you guy's are going to get somewhere! i believe michigan will give ya answers. i believe their association at one time used to raffle a hunting camp to raise money to fight the sorry son of a guns. i for one will be interested in the info cause this is just the beginning!!



someone should also contact the kentucky houndsmens ass. they also have a double tough association!! or did have at one time

[Started]

http://www.cal-span.org/cgi-bin/media.pl?folder=CFG


About the 5 hour mark is where 1221 is talked about by the committee. They didn't vote either direction so at this point they will not be sending a letter to the assembly supporting or opposing. At least two commissioners Nielson and Rogers made it clear that they personally do not agree with hound hunting.

[slowandeasy]

quote from rifleman:

Yes, you would think that when you have a few supporters, a massive amount of opposition, and lots of logical reasons why a bill should not be passed, the legislators in a given committee would kill a bill. But as you point out, these individuals did not take the constituents' opposition or fact to heart.


DOES THIS SOUND A LOT LIKE HEALTH CARE????? IN SIX MONTHS WE WILL HAVE AN

OPPERTUNITY TO MAKE RIGHT A LOT OF THINGS. MIGHT NOT END UP PERFECT BUT WE

HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE AND IT WILL SHOW THAT THE SILENT MAJORITY IS

PISSED OFF!!!

[Peter Meyer]

I think there is plenty of standing for a lawsuit to stop 1221 or at least get an injuction. S.B. 1221 violates the California Environmental Quality Act. I have not seen an Environmental Impact Report or Negative Declaration with regards to 1221. This is the same tactic that the antis used in 2009 to stop the opening of bear hunting in San Luis Obispo County. Just the threat of a lawsuit from HSUS lawyers and their exucse me for lack of a more gracious term, whore biologists, questioning F&G's 100 plus page Enivironmental Impact Report was enough for the Commission to table the issue. Live by CEQA and you shall die by CEQA. I swear if some group or organization can't raise the funds to initiate litigation then I guess I'll go to COHA, the California Outlaw Houndsman Association, now accepting donations and new members. hahahaha. 1221 or no 1221 you will keep me and my black and tans out of the woods when you pry the leashes from my cold, dead hands. -Pete

[thunder 12]

I am only twenty and don't know a lot about law but is it considered a bribe by are politicians to accept money from the group that is trying to get the law passed is that legal plus how about the guys down there that make a living off being guids and using there dogs as a bussniss tool or what ever I think u could sue for something on those grounds but its just a question I mean there has to be something that can de rail this thing

[Peter Meyer]

I just watched the California Fish and Game Commission from May 23rd. They had an agenda item regarding whether they should support or oppose S.B. 1221. It was a joke. Sutton supported the bill of course, and Rogers worst of all said he "abhorred" the use of dogs on bear and bobcat and would vote to outlaw it if he could. They never voted because they were confused by some very technical wording in the bill relating to statutory authority or
something like that and decided that the matter needed a committee to further study the legal implications. Jennifer Fearing of the HSUS was there. How can you tell Jennifer Fearing is lying? Her lips are moving. hahahaha. Just remember S.B. 1221 isn't really about using hounds, it is about FREEDOM! COHA, the California Outlaw Houndsman Association is announcing its' logo design contest. Design the emblem that will represent COHA and you get to be president along with a lifetime membership and free legal aid. hahaha -Pete

[lepcur]

After going to the capitol and watching the rodeo the last time is all I saw was that the Democratic senators are voting along party lines and i doubt if that will change. So, in my eyes we need to figure out a plan to get the general public involved, the tax payers and voters of the state. How about a media blitz, computor, facebook, etc. We need to let all these people know that their senators, by voting for this bill will cause their taxes to go up because the state will have to pick up the bill for the cost of game management. Nobody likes tax increases and if we can get the general public to voicing their opinions and let the senators know they will be voted out of their jobs,if they support this bill, I think they'll change their minds real quick. I also think that we need to get to acting and take the fight to em.
Let's set up a bank account for everyone of us to donate to and let's get this done and over with. JMO Mike Toth

[Ktarvin]

dont know if its just rumer or not. but i was told tonight that they have added all dog hunting. from foxes pigs and bird hunting. can anybody inlightin me on this rumer. i know what the bill says and in the bill bird dogs foxes pigs coons were not in it.. but did they pull another one over our eyes. i dunno thats why im asking has anybody in heard this.
good hunting for now
kerry

[Dale T]

North Central California Houndsmen are having a "NEXT STEP" meeting at 7:00 at the Pizza Round Up in loma Rica Wednesday the 30th, to get everybody updated.

Dale
NCCH

[RIFLEMAN]

Ktarvin,

dont know if its just rumer or not. but i was told tonight that they have added all dog hunting. from foxes pigs and bird hunting. can anybody inlightin me on this rumer. i know what the bill says and in the bill bird dogs foxes pigs coons were not in it.. but did they pull another one over our eyes. i dunno thats why im asking has anybody in heard this.

I heard the same rumor and tracked it down through literally seven or eight people before I got to the source. No, it is not true. The bill remains limited to bear and bobcat.