In recent months you may have read about the animal rights movement’s consolidation. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has merged with the Fund for Animals and the Doris Day Animal League to form a $100 million, 10 million-donor organization. The threat the group poses to hunting, fishing and trapping is real and sportsmen and women must consider this development from a business perspective. 

According to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), America’s premier organization protecting sportsmen and women’s rights, the HSUS is doing what it needs to do to try to achieve its agenda - to end all animal use, and end all hunting, fishing and trapping. There is a lot of competition in the animal rights arena and the HSUS is trying to gain market value while cutting down on competitors. 

Bud Pidgeon Jr., President of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, stated, "This anti-hunting group has grown to be a mighty dragon. For example, during the 2006 elections, the HSUS spent more money through its political action committee than did Exxon/Mobile! The HSUS has truly become big business." Mr. Pidgeon also stated that, unfortunately, millions of HSUS donors believe that they are supporting an organization that directly cares for homeless pets and represents local animal shelters. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, HSUS is a propaganda machine created and devoted to stop the use of animals for any purpose what-so-ever.

The Humane Society of the United States tries to market itself as a ’mainstream’ organization to which every dog and cat owner should belong. As the owner of a dog, cat or other family pet, or an emotional supporter of HSUS, you may be interested in learning more. You may be surprised to learn that this pro-pet group is also very anti-hunting, fishing and trapping. Before you donate money to help some uncared for animal, decide if you want your donation to actually do harm to wildlife. Over population, unchecked by legislated sports activities, creates over-crowding, disease and starvation. As in all nature, there needs to be a balance. 

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance won’t let the HSUS hide their anti-hunting skeletons in its closet. Here are some recent
examples of the Humane Society of the United States’ anti-hunting position:

1. They led a 2006 ballot campaign to ban dove hunting in Michigan, contributing $1.6 million to the effort.
2. They successfully lobbied for the cancellation of the 2006 New Jersey black bear hunt.
3. They opposed hunting on National Wildlife Refuges, and are a plaintiff in an ongoing federal lawsuit to ban hunting on federal lands.
4. They took the lead in a 1994 ballot campaign to ban cougar hunting and bear hunting in the state of Oregon and have opposed recent efforts to allow hunting to control these wildlife populations.
5. The HSUS’s Wildlife Land Trust Program permanently bans hunting and trapping on properties that come under its control.

According to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, a recent statement from HSUS President, Wayne Pacelle, spells out which aspects of the traditional lifestyles are next on the organization’s hit list.

Pacelle referenced HSUS’s opposition to hunter recruitment campaigns that encourage newcomers and children to participate in outdoor sports. He also highlighted the organization’s efforts to eliminate legal bear hunting practices and hunting with the aid of dogs.

As Bud Pidgeon, Jr., of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance says, "The public needs to be aware that our nation’s conservation programs are successful and thriving. The hunters, anglers and trappers in America provide revenue to support conservation and volunteer support as active members of local and national conservation-related organizations. The bottom line is that our nation’s conservation programs were founded by and continue to thrive due to sportsmen and women. The public needs to know that animal rights organizations, like the HSUS, are not in the conservation business. They want to end programs that allow wildlife to flourish." 

No truer words were ever spoken.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and women and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers. It does so in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For further information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, readers can call them at: (614) 888-4868 or visit their website at: www.ussportsmen.org.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com