An Act establishing a wildlife management commission

June 26, 9:30 AMBoston Gun Rights ExaminerRon Bokleman

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 Over the last two columns I introduced the reasoning and science behind why the "hunter" is so important to the ethical management of our wildlife. The purpose for that introduction was to then, by contrast, explain the damage caused by anti-hunting groups like the MSPCA and HSUS.

"If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would." – as quoted by the Associated Press in Impassioned Agitator, December 30, 1991 -- Wanye Pacelle, HSUS

In Massachusetts, in 1996, HSUS and the MSPCA caused irreparable harm to our wildlife populations and increased conflicts between their human counterparts by getting ballot Question #1 passed into law. The final text can be found as Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131, Section 80A.

Since 1996 there has been much debate over this law, but one thing that cannot be debated is the fact that this law has caused an explosion in the number of beaver in Massachusetts and tied the hands of MassWildlife to effectively manage the beaver population.

“The overall content that appeared in Section 1 of the 1996 Question ONE Ballot Initiative underscores the total disregard and lack of understanding by the individuals who crafted this ballot question concerning the North American Conservation model initiated over 100 years ago. It highlights their inability to objectively reason and work positively with wildlife management professionals who have dedicated their lives to conservation. And most disturbing, is the continued willingness to use unfounded "fear" tactics, half truths or outright lies to gain support by citizens who know little to nothing about critical furbearer wildlife management methods on today's landscape.” -- COMMITTEE for RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

As we’ve spoken before about the “Statist” thirst for progressive control over every aspect of your life and mine, this destructive victory wasn’t enough. In the last legislative session S.540 An ACT Establishing A Wildlife Management Commission was filed by Democrat Senator Pamela P. Resor of Middlesex and Worcester. The bill met with opposition from the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council, and all the supporting County Leagues in Massachusetts, as well as GOAL. A hearing was held in September of 2007 and the bill never got out of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture.

Senator Resor has since left office, but it appears that her Democrat replacement James B. Eldridge has decided to keep up the tradition of filing identical legislation since S.397 An ACT Establishing A Wildlife Management Commission was filled.

The Sportsmen & Women of Massachusetts must respond to this bill in order prevent the further erosion of MassWildlife’s role in management of the Commonwealth’s wildlife populations. How can you help? Use the sample letter below and contact your own State Representative and Senator today.

Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture
State House
Room 473F
Boston, MA 02133

Under M.G.L. Chapter 131, The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is responsible for the conservation including restoration, protection and management of fish and wildlife (game/nongame) resources for the benefit and enjoyment of all citizens of the Commonwealth. MassWildlife works to balance the needs of people and wildlife, so that wildlife will be available for everyone's enjoyment today and for future generations.

The citizens (Sportsmen and Women of all persuasions enjoying whatever their pursuit of wildlife may be) of the Commonwealth rely heavily upon the MassWildlife for the sound, wise and thoughtful management practices and scientific methodologies used to accomplish these goals.

MassWildlife has a long standing, proven track record of restoring, conserving, managing and protecting these natural resources. The only legitimate reason to suggest, through legislation (S. 397) a change in authority over certain species would be to offer evidence of neglect and abuse of the public trust. Thus far no evidence has been presented. Those that would view hunting as a violation of that trust are apparently not familiar with MGL Chapter 131, Section 2A, its economic impact1 or origin.

Instead we must surmise that this proposed bill, in short, simply seeks to legitimize and provide a voice for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and subvert the wise stewardship, management and control of specific species from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Thus, we conclude that this proposed bill is without common sense and is purely politically driven in nature. It is our view that passage of this bill would complicate the management of wildlife in the Commonwealth at the risk of destroying the very resources it seeks to protect.

We urge the Committee to consider an unfavorable vote to prevent bringing this legislation to the floor of the House and Senate. A vote against this legislation is simply a vote of confidence in the job well done by MassWildlife with the full support of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Respectfully submitted,

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