USA -(Ammoland.com)- New Jersey’s most notorious anti-hunting legislator has authored legislation allowing animal rights groups to influence hunting regulations. The New Jersey Fish and Game Council approves hunting and fishing seasons and bag limits.
Currently, New Jersey governors appoint 11 members to the council, six of which must be nominated by the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. Three council members are nominated by agricultural interests. One has a background in endangered species, and one specializing in land management and soil conservation.
Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), who is the author of most anti-hunting legislation introduced in the New Jersey Senate, has introduced Senate Bill 3537, which would replace three sportsmen members of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council with members of the Humane Society of the United States, the Sierra Club and Animal Protection League.
Lesniak, a longtime opponent of the state’s bear hunt, has clashed with the council, which approved the bear hunt in response to an increase in dangerous encounters with the state’s uncontrolled bear population. SB 3537 has been assigned to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
The New Jersey Fish and Game Council traces its roots back to the 1940s when it was created to help provide a system for the protection and conservation of fish and game while serving in an advisory capacity.
In 1974, HSUS and other animal rights organizations filed a lawsuit claiming that they should be granted membership to the council. However, the Supreme Court sided with sportsmen’s argument the provisions in place were sufficient for the protection and conservation of wildlife.
“Allowing opponents of hunting to be in charge of setting hunting regulation is ridiculous,” said Luke Houghton, Associate Director of State Services for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “New Jersey’s sportsmen and women actually fund conservation programs for all wildlife, including endangered species, through their hunting and fishing licenses and taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and fishing gear. All New Jersey residents benefit from this system. Putting anti-hunting zealots on the council puts the conservation of all wildlife at risk.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance:
The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible.
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