Two Massachusetts bills would guarantee anti-hunters seats on prominent wildlife management committees, giving them the power to ban hunting, fishing and trapping.

Senate Bill 496, sponsored by Sen. Susan Pargo, D-Lincoln, compromises the integrity of the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board by reserving four of the seven seats for anti-hunters and environmental groups.  At the same time, only one seat would be guaranteed to represent sportsmen’s interests.

“Anti-hunters have made repeated attempts to have their kind appointed to the state Fisheries and Wildlife Board,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs.  “They want to replace the highly-qualified board members who understand the value of hunting, fishing and trapping with representatives who preach non-lethal population controls.”

In 2000, when three board members were up for reelection, anti-hunters put pressure on former Massachusetts Gov. Paul Celluci and secured support from legislators to have a handful of their candidates appointed to the board.  The effort failed, but the following year, the Humane Society of the United States led a charge to pass legislation requiring that anti-hunters fill two of the seats on the board.  Fortunately, sportsmen responded at USSA alerts and defeated the bill.

Another alarming bill currently before the legislature, HB 1367, introduced by Rep. Frank Hynes, D-Plymouth, would place an anti-trapper on a commission responsible for investigating coyote populations and determining coyote management.

“Massachusetts wildlife will be in serious trouble if sportsmen don’t act now and stop the anti’s from slipping into these positions of authority,” said Sexton.  “It is important to contact your legislators today and ask that these bills be defeated.”

Senate Bill 496 and House Bill 1367 are in the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture in their respective houses.

Take Action!  Massachusetts sportsmen should contact their state senators to oppose SB 496. State representative must also hear objections to HB 1367.  Explain that the bills disregard sound scientific facts and wildlife management principles by allow anti-hunting sentiments to influence commission decisions.  To contact your senator call . To call your representative, call .  Sportsmen may also use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.