[billstea]

Found this on BASS FISHING HOME PAGE


Subject: An End To Fishing?, New Jersey
Submitted by Mr. Mouth (ip 209.213.87.206)
Date Fished: 11/25/03
Water Clarity: 0
Is this true? If it is how can we help to stop it?
(Columbus) - Anti-hunters today filed a lawsuit against the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to suspend all hunting, fishing and trapping.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is looking into the merits of the case to determine what action to pursue.
The case alleges that the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has issued sporting licenses to convicted felons. To avoid future instances, the plaintiffs are asking Judge Susan Reisner of the Superior Court of New Jersey to suspend all hunting, fishing and trapping licenses until a background check system for all license buyers is put into place.
“This is the most outrageous and blatant attack on sportsmen’s rights that we have seen in our 25-year history,” said Bud Pidgeon, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation president. “To besmirch the reputation of sportsmen by linking us to felons is unconscionable. Sportsmen are America’s greatest conservationists, paying literally billions each year to fund fish and wildlife programs across the country.”
It is illegal in New Jersey for any convicted felon to possess or purchase a weapon, Pidgeon said. Criminal background checks would unnecessarily delay the issuance of a sporting license. The lawsuit even asks that fishing license purchases require background checks.

 

[HookUp]

PETA?

Any fine example of liberal dribble.

 

[earthworm77]

Although we shouldn't take these things lightly, do you know the volume of revenue created by hunting and especially fishing? Do you think states will give that up because some pussy assed NIMBY's think fish get hurt when you catch them? Please, this sport is here to stay it is multi billion dollar industry. If it was even close to being endangered....the manufacturers would cough up the bribe bucks to make sure nothing ever happened to it. People would likely get killed over this.

 

[Senkosam]

Hey Bill, you still keeping those bridges from falling down?
I heard you decided not to retire. Looking forward to another outing.

Frank

 

[billstea]

Frank

Still working to keep the bridges in Rockland from falling down for at least another 18+ months. After that, I'm going to fish until I drop.

I am also looking forward to another outing.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

 

[JOHN G]

Bill, Earthy made a very good point......
no need to panic over this issue....

 

[Scott E.]

Don't be so sure Craig

Although we shouldn't take these things lightly, do you know the volume of revenue created by hunting and especially fishing? Do you think states will give that up because some pussy assed NIMBY's think fish get hurt when you catch them? Please, this sport is here to stay it is multi billion dollar industry. If it was even close to being endangered....the manufacturers would cough up the bribe bucks to make sure nothing ever happened to it. People would likely get killed over this.

Better get ready to start coughing up the bucks Mr. Tackle Manufacturer!!!

Sportsmen Outraged over New Jersey Governor's Attempt to Whitewash Animal Rights Scandal- (08/15)

(Columbus) – The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, a national sportsmen’s advocacy group, is calling on New Jersey Sportsmen to stand up to Governor James McGreevey’s attempt to defend the charges of malfeasance of organizations operating animal shelters in the state.


At issue is McGreevey’s "misdirection" ploy meant to divert public attention from the charges of malfeasance, including outright thievery, by local Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Rather than looking into the charges, McGreevey announced formation of a task force designed to upgrade New Jersey animal protection laws.


The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is initiating a mailing to thousands of New Jersey sportsmen and their organizations to make them aware of the governor’s actions. They are being urged to contact the governor and demand that he disband the new task force and focus on the issue at hand, which is the misuse of funds and animals by local SPCAs.


The New Jersey State Commission on Investigation, in a report on a three-year investigation issued to the state Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, the Internal Revenue Service and various other state departments and regulatory boards, identified a remarkable string of fiscal and physical abuses at the shelters.


They include diversion of "substantial funds and property meant for animal welfare" for the personal use of SPCA officials; the use of funds left to benefit animals used "to pay for firearms, ammunition, vehicles and other items unrelated to animal welfare;" inadequate training and oversight for SPCA investigators, who operate "in paramilitary fashion;" and, "deplorable" conditions for animals at the Hudson County SPCA, where "shelter officials skimmed patron fees and sold dog food for personal profit."


On July 25, Governor McGreevey appeared at a press conference to announce formation of a 30-member Animal Welfare Task Force to investigate the state’s animal cruelty laws and recommend ways to deal with pet overpopulation. The task force may also look at the way that wildlife is managed. Its members include animal rights activists who seek to outlaw hunting. No hunters or other sportsmen were named to the task force.


"Governor McGreevey is employing a classic ‘misdirection’ strategy," said Rick Story, vice president of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. "His aim is to divert public attention from the alleged stealing and direct it to the alleged plight of abused animals."


Story said that the tack should send New Jersey sportsmen a clear message.


"The animal rights lobby is obviously very important to the Governor," he said, "Otherwise he would not be sticking out his neck so far to defend it. Unless hunters and anglers and their organizations make themselves important to the Governor, he’ll make good on his promise to direct his animal rights crusade at wildlife."


Take Action! New Jersey sportsmen should contact Governor McGreevey immediately. Tell him that any task force created should be investigating abuses by animal rights groups, not New Jersey citizens. Also, tell him that the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has professionals protecting and managing wildlife, and the state does not need a separate task force to challenge that agency’s authority. To contact Governor McGreevey, call (609) 292-6000 or write Governor James McGreevey, P. O. Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625. Fax (609) 292-3454. You can also send him a message using the Legislative Action Center – Guide to States on the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance website, www.ussportsmen.org.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers nationally in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance or to contribute to save New Jersey’s hunting heritage, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

 

[acstech]

Issues

The worst defense would be to point a finger at something else that is or might be wrong.

The issue needs to be defended on its own merits and the point made that this is an effort by a minority extremist group that wants to control the majority with no basis of fact.

In other words, let the majority be heard. Organize and defend!

 

[earthworm77]

The one thing we as sportsmen must understand, is that even though this proposal was not made by people of sound mind and as ridiculous as it really is, we must not ignore it.

 

[earthworm77]

Scott, I was thinking more along the lines of the multi billion dollar companies, not the multi thousand! LOL