LYNN
05-21-2007, 19:11
May 21, 2007
Illinois Bill Hands Local Governments Control of Deer Herd
Grassroots action is needed to stop advancing Illinois legislation that will endanger hunting by stripping the Department of Natural Resources of authority to regulate deer populations.
House Bill 3425, introduced by Rep. Karen May, D-Highland Park, will allow local governments to manage deer herds using methods other than hunting. Under the bill, a local government that conducts a DNR-approved study of alternative deer population controls in addition to hunting may unilaterally implement the alternative methods deemed useful.
Sportsmen’s immediate action is needed, as the bill is before the state Senate and could be voted on at any time.
“Diverting wildlife management decision-making to local governments and away from the state is a dangerous step for Illinois sportsmen,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA associate director of state services. “It removes authority from wildlife professionals and creates a patchwork approach that will cripple successful wildlife management.”
House Bill 3425 creates a slippery slope. Today, the call is for local control of deer herds, but anti-hunters will run with the concept and advocate local management of all hunting and trapping.
“The anti’s support efforts to place hunting and trapping under local control so that they can more easily erode the outdoor heritage,” said Heusinkveld. “They want to strip the agency of its management authority and establish a patchwork of local anti-hunting regulations.”
Take Action! Illinois sportsmen should ask their state senators to vote against HB 3425. Let them know that it will create a patchwork approach to wildlife management that will take authority away from wildlife experts. To contact your senator, call (217) 782-5715 or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.
Illinois Bill Hands Local Governments Control of Deer Herd
Grassroots action is needed to stop advancing Illinois legislation that will endanger hunting by stripping the Department of Natural Resources of authority to regulate deer populations.
House Bill 3425, introduced by Rep. Karen May, D-Highland Park, will allow local governments to manage deer herds using methods other than hunting. Under the bill, a local government that conducts a DNR-approved study of alternative deer population controls in addition to hunting may unilaterally implement the alternative methods deemed useful.
Sportsmen’s immediate action is needed, as the bill is before the state Senate and could be voted on at any time.
“Diverting wildlife management decision-making to local governments and away from the state is a dangerous step for Illinois sportsmen,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA associate director of state services. “It removes authority from wildlife professionals and creates a patchwork approach that will cripple successful wildlife management.”
House Bill 3425 creates a slippery slope. Today, the call is for local control of deer herds, but anti-hunters will run with the concept and advocate local management of all hunting and trapping.
“The anti’s support efforts to place hunting and trapping under local control so that they can more easily erode the outdoor heritage,” said Heusinkveld. “They want to strip the agency of its management authority and establish a patchwork of local anti-hunting regulations.”
Take Action! Illinois sportsmen should ask their state senators to vote against HB 3425. Let them know that it will create a patchwork approach to wildlife management that will take authority away from wildlife experts. To contact your senator, call (217) 782-5715 or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.