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California wildlife programs will be dealt a serious blow if the Assembly passes a newly amended bill now in committee.
Assembly Bill 1010, introduced by Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-LA) would ban the distribution, drawing, or lottery of any firearm, component or ammunition at any California fundraising event. This is significant as nearly all California conservation organizations use sporting arms as prizes at their events.
“For a state that has a reputation for concern about the environment, California’s elected officials are close to selling their outdoors as well as their citizens’ down the drain,” said Bud Pidgeon, president of the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America (WLFA). The WLFA is a national advocacy group representing approximately 1.5 million sportsmen and sportswomen.
“Tens of millions of dollars have been raised in California through sportsmen attending events in which funds raised directly benefit wildlife. Key to the success of these events are the firearm drawings. This legislation will take away this draw and severely impact the ability to raise money at these events.”
Some of the largest and most effective organizations in the country hold fundraising events in California. These include the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the Mule Deer Foundation plus many more state and local organizations.
Pidgeon added that firearm winners at these events currently must pass a background check before they are awarded their prize. Thus, this law will not help control any illegal trade in firearms. It will only divert millions of dollars away from critical wildlife habitat programs.
In response to this bill, WLFA is coordinating a coalition of conservation organizations, all of which will be impacted if this bill passes.
One leading coalition member is NWTF. It is credited with the successful reestablishment of wild turkeys in California and across the United States. The NWTF has 43 chapters in California alone. All are dedicated to raising funds for habitat restoration and enhancement, public education and other programs. Most of these funds raised by NWTF come from banquets where firearm awards are the big draw.
What impact has this had?
When NWTF was formed in 1973, there were less than 9,000 wild turkeys in California. Today, there are over 100,000. This success is widely credited to the work of the California Department of Fish and Game and NWTF programs.
“The bill will have a huge, negative impact on our ability to raise money for habitat improvements,” said Rob Keck, Chief Executive Officer of NWTF.
“Outdoor recreation opportunities for women and young people and management practices that benefit all wildlife species will also suffer.”
Another important coalition member, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), a leader in conserving, restoring and enhancing natural habitats for elk and other wildlife, raised $1.8 million last year in California through fundraising banquets. This money is earmarked for various habitat-related projects.
One recent California acquisition, the Payne Ranch located near Sacramento, consolidated and protected more than 12,800 acres within the heart of tule elk habitat in the Cache Creek Management Area. Along with the state’s oldest and largest tule elk herd, the land supports wintering bald eagles, blacktail deer, wild turkey, migratory songbirds, and several rare plants and amphibians.
This RMEF project received widespread and very positive support from local residents and the media across the state.
“Most of the money to buy the Payne Ranch as well as for many other conservation projects, was a direct result of our fundraising banquets,” said Gary Wolfe, RMEF president.
“Hunters being able to purchase firearms at these events is one of the keys to our fundraising success.”
“This legislation would deal a blow to our ability to protect sensitive habitat for not only the elk but for many other game and non-game species,” Wolfe added. “And since most of our purchases eventually become public land holdings, all Californians would lose out if this bill is passed.”
The bill was originally introduced on February 25, 1999 and only defined the powers of the governor and did not mention firearms. The sponsor amended AB 1010 on January 3, 2000 to include firearms and banquets.
The bill is scheduled for a vote before the Government Organization Committee on Monday, January 10. If passed, it will proceed to the Appropriations Committee, which must vote, on the bill by January 21. The full Assembly vote must take place by January 31.
“This ominous, anti-conservation bill is certainly on the fast-track,” said Pidgeon.
“It will take much work by the WLFA and other coalition members to de-rail it. We are confident, however, that the California legislature will see through this poor piece of legislation and vote it down.”
Uploaded: 1/11/2000
Uploaded: 1/11/2000