The silence from the White House has been deafening for three months, as President Clinton has ignored the request of some of the nation's premier sportsmen's groups to set a national policy to protect hunting on federal land.
In early February, a WLFA-led alliance of conservation groups sent a petition to the White House asking the president to establish a National Hunting Policy by executive order. In 1995, the president signed a similar order for sport fishing on federal land.
"The president's failure to even acknowledge receipt of our petition shows disrespect for sportsmen and their concerns," said Walter P. Pidgeon, president of the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America (WLFA). The WLFA is leading the campaign for adoption of the policy.
Animal rights groups have continually attempted to close hunting and trapping on federal lands. The National Hunting Policy would protect our outdoor heritage on these lands.
Specifically, the policy would recognize the importance of our hunting heritage and the value of recreational hunting while directing federal agencies to use their authority to facilitate hunting opportunities on public lands. The order would also help assure that hunting and its conservation benefits have a continued place on our federal lands.
The petition presented to President Clinton included organizations representing over one million sportsmen and sportswomen and that number continues to grow as more groups join the effort. To date, sixty-eight groups have joined the coalition because they share a common concern about the threats against our outdoor sports, particularly on federal land. They understand that a National Hunting Policy would minimize these threats.
The coalition includes the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, International Bowhunting Organization, Shikar-Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, Dallas Ecological Foundation, Houston Safari Club, American Conservation and Education Society, Masters of Foxhounds Association, Mzuri Safari Club, Pope and Young Club, Quail Unlimited, National Field Archery Association, United Kennel Club and Whitetails Unlimited.
The coalition is in the process of approaching Congress about the idea of introducing legislation for a National Hunting Policy.
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The WLFA is a national, non-profit association that provides legislative, legal defense and public education services to defend and advance sportsmen's rights in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 states.
Contact :
Doug Jeanneret - Director of Communications
Wildlife Legislative Fund of America
801 Kingsmill Parkway - Cols., OH 43229
Ph. 614-888-4868 Ext. 212 - Fax 614-888-0326