Minnesota

[Jerry LaBella (Admin)]

Judge Allows USSA Involvement in Suit to Defend Trapping- (09/29)
Minnesota
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A federal court judge will allow the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation to represent trappers’ interests in a lawsuit brought to ban trapping in Minnesota. The suit also creates legal precedent that threatens hunting, fishing and trapping if the activities might result in incidental take of an endangered species.


Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Erickson granted the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) and its U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (U.S. SLDF) permission to join the suit, which was brought by the Humane Society of the United States and a smaller animal rights group. The anti’s are suing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources claiming that since the state holds a population of Canada lynx, a species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), all trapping of any species should be stopped to prevent incidental catch of lynx.


This is an attempt by the anti’s to ban trapping in Minnesota and establish legal precedent to ban a wide range of taking of wildlife. The case could set a precedent that affects how the ESA can be applied throughout the nation. If anti’s can stop trapping in a place where there is a risk of catching lynx, they can just as easily try to stop fishing in bodies of water where there is a risk of catching endangered sturgeon.


The SLDF has joined the case, along with the Minnesota Trappers Association, Fur Takers of America, the National Trappers Association and Minnesota trappers Todd Roggenkamp and Cory Van Driel.


The SLDF is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law.

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Information on this website can be reprinted with a citation to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and www.ussportsmen.org (http://www.ussportsmen.org)

[Jerry LaBella (Admin)]

<font color="ff0000">Judge OKs USSAF to Represent Sportsmen in Anti-Trapping Lawsuit- (12/22)</font>
Minnesota
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A federal court judge will allow the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation to represent trappers’ interests in a second suit brought to ban trapping in Minnesota.



The suit is one of three similar anti-trapping cases in which the USSAF is involved. The lawsuits, filed in Minnesota and Maine, will also set precedents that jeopardize hunting, fishing and trapping wherever endangered species exist.



Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Erickson granted the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) and its U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (U.S. SLDF) permission to join the suit, which was brought by the Animal Protection Institute. The anti’s are suing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources claiming that since the state is home to populations of federally protected Canada lynx, bald eagles and grey wolves, all trapping of any species should be stopped to prevent incidental catch. There is no data proving this to be a problem.



This is an attempt by the anti’s to ban trapping in Minnesota and establish legal precedent to ban a wide range of taking of wildlife. The case could set a precedent that affects how the Endangered Species Act can be applied throughout the nation. If anti’s can stop trapping in a place where they claim there is a risk of catching lynx, they can just as easily try to stop fishing in bodies of water where they claim there is a risk of catching endangered sturgeon.



The U.S. SLDF has joined the case, along with the Minnesota Trappers Association, Fur Takers of America, the National Trappers Association and Minnesota trappers Todd Roggenkamp and Cory Van Driel.



Sportsmen nationwide are encouraged to help fight the anti’s. Consider a contribution to the U.S. SLDF to help defray costs accrued during these lawsuits and future legal battles to protect trapping.



Donations can be made online, or sent to: The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund, 801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH, 43229. For more information, call (614) 888-4868.



The U.S. SLDF is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The U.S. SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law.

[Jerry LaBella (Admin)]

<font color="ff0000"><font size="+1">Minnesota Dove Hunt Under the Gun
Sportsmen's immediate action needed to protect dove hunt</font></font>

June 4, 2007 (Minnesota)

Minnesota’s mourning dove hunt, which has become a part of the state’s outdoor heritage, could become a part of the state’s history if anti-hunters have their way. Sportsmen must take immediate action to stop legislation to ban the hunt.

House File 2501 introduced by Rep. Mike Jaros, DFL–Duluth, and Senate File 2329, introduced by Sen. Sandra Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, are identical bills that will outlaw mourning dove hunting, and remove mourning doves from the gamebird list. The proposals have been referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committees in their respective houses.

“The anti’s have a recent victory in their back pockets, having struck down Michigan’s dove hunt at the ballot in 2006,” said Evan Huesinkveld, USSA associate director of state services. “Minnesota sportsmen must not let the anti’s use the momentum from that victory to steal one of the best hunting opportunities that sportsmen can enjoy.”

The USSA worked with Minnesota sportsmen’s groups to pass mourning dove hunting legislation in 2004. It also worked to establish dove hunting seasons in Ohio and Wisconsin and has defended seasons in Rhode Island and California.

Take Action! Minnesota sportsmen should contact their representatives and senators today. Let them know you oppose HF 2501 and SF 2329 to ban mourning dove hunting. To find your legislators, click here and use the Legislative Action Center, accessible from the USSA website, www.ussportsmen.org (http://www.ussportsmen.org).

[administrator]

Minnesota Mourning Dove Hunt Under Attack
Sportsmen’s immediate action needed to protect dove hunt



Legislation that will ban the hunting of mourning doves in Minnesota is being heard today by committees in the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate. Sportsmen’s grassroots action against House File 2501 and Senate File 2329 is imperative if this threat is to be stopped.

If passed, these measures would ban hunting for the nation’s #1 game bird, the mourning dove. In fact, more people hunt mourning doves across the U.S. than ducks and geese combined. Anti-hunting groups have wanted to take the season away since sportsmen successfully fought to get it established in 2004. Mourning dove hunting is a time honored tradition in 40 states, including Minnesota, and there is simply no justification for ending the hunt.

“Minnesota sportsmen must take immediate action to stop this impending threat,” said Rob Sexton, vice president of government affairs for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA). “Anti-hunters see these bills as a foothold in Minnesota to attack hunting again.”

The USSA worked with Minnesota sportsmen’s groups to pass mourning dove hunting legislation in 2004.

Take Action! Minnesota sportsmen must contact their legislators today to urge them to oppose banning mourning dove hunting in Minnesota.

To find your State Representative call the information desk at 651-296-2146 and ask them to transfer you to your representative. Ask your representative to oppose House File 2501.

To find your State Senator call the information desk at 651-296-0504 and ask them to transfer you to your senator. Ask your senator to opposed Senate File 2329.

Legislator contact information can also be found by using the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protect the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

[administrator]

Anti’s Attack School Hunting Program


April 16, 2008 (Minnesota)

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has chosen a Minnesota middle school as one of the newest targets in its anti-hunting fight.

Students at Northwestern Middle School in Poplar, Minnesota have a Hunter’s Wall, which is a spot where they can post photos of their kills, celebrating the rich hunting heritage of the region.

The photo wall is in the classroom of science teacher Russ Bailey, who also teaches an after-school hunter education course in the room.

PETA sent a letter to the principal of the school, Ken Bartelt, asking him to remove the Hunter’s Wall because the organization believes it promotes violence. The letter was also posted online and was sent to local media.

Bartelt said he feels the wall is positive for the students and the community. The Hunter’s Wall for this year features 52 photos of animals taken by the students throughout the year.

School officials say they have received letters from people supporting the wall and its message about the region’s hunting culture. The school has not received letters against the wall, except for the one from PETA.