Assembly committee to hear California anti-hunting bills in April (3/21/2003)

A committee hearing has been scheduled for a pair of California bills that will ban dove hunting and hunting with hounds. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance urges sportsmen to attend and oppose the bills.

Assembly Bill 1190, which would ban hunting seasons for western mourning doves and white-winged doves, and Assembly Bill 342, which would outlaw the pursuit or taking of any mammal by means of a hunting dog, will be heard by the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on April 8. The meeting begins at 8 AM and will be held in room 437 in the Capitol Building.

The legislature should not deny California sportsmen of dove hunting, a hunting opportunity that millions of sportsmen across the country enjoy. Doves are the most popular gamebird, hunted in 38 states, and hunting has proven to have no effect on the dove population.

The bill to ban hunting with dogs would effectively ban hunting for bear, fox, rabbit, raccoon, coyote and more. It is destined to cause an increase in conflicts between people and wildlife and contribute to the spread of rabies and other wildlife-borne diseases. Farmers and ranchers are concerned about the potential for increased damage to livestock and crops.

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is working with key sportsmen's groups to defeat the two measures. The National Wild Turkey Federation, Masters of Foxhounds Association of America and the California Houndsmen for Conservation are among the organizations that are helping to raise awareness and motivate hunters to take action in opposition to the bills. The Alliance has retained a lobbyist to help develop a strategy to defeat the measures.

Take Action! California sportsmen are urged to attend the Water, Parks and Wildlife committee hearing. Meet in the basement cafeteria of the California State Capitol Building at 7 AM on April 8. Please note the updated date and time of the hearing. Those who cannot attend should contact their assemblymen today. Let them know that Assembly Bill 1190 and Assembly Bill 342 are the anti-hunting lobby's attempt to restrict California's hunting heritage.

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