Sportsmen Fortify Defense Against Anti’s

With Launch of Bowhunter Rights Coalition



(Columbus) – A coalition of the nation’s leading national bowhunting organizations and communications firms have joined to combat the newly elevated threat to bowhunting posed by the merger of two national animal rights groups.



The groups are uniting behind an initial U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance plan to mobilize bowhunters in defense of their sport.



“Bowhunters have proven their resolve in the past and must again demonstrate their might to stave off promised attacks by anti-hunters,†said Rick Story, senior vice president of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.



At a January meeting, the Bowhunter Rights Coalition (BRC) was launched in response to the January 1 merger of the Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals. The new mega-animal rights group boasts of a multi-million dollar budget and has vowed to target bowhunting in 2005.



State and local bowhunting organizations, as well as individual bowhunters and other sportsmen are being recruited to unite under the BRC flag. Bowhunter Magazine, The Bowsite, The International Bowhunting Organization and Pope & Young Club have already joined the coalition.



“The BRC will build a grassroots network capable of defending against attacks in the courts, in legislatures or on the ballot,†said Story. “These allies will help to distribute issue alerts, urge sportsmen to contact lawmakers regarding hunting-related legislation and dilute the burden of legal fees in defense of bowhunting.â€



The coalition’s main thrust will be the ability to effectively communicate and to have a rapid response capability. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is preparing a BRC website on which it will post the latest news about the assault against bowhunting for sportsmen and bowhunting publications. It will provide educational materials about bowhunter safety and more. A chat room will also be available to discuss issues and for occasional live chats with leaders of the bowhunting community.



“The Alliance’s successes over the years have been attributed to our ability to organize,†said Story. “That was evident in the formation of the Bowhunter Defense Coalition in 1988 in response to increasing attacks on bowhunting. This effectiveness will be recreated with the BRC.â€



A report from the Humane Society of the United States released on January 31 lays out the group’s plans to ban hunting in 2005. Aside from previous plans to target bowhunting, HSUS is preparing a ballot campaign to ban Michigan’s dove season for which sportsmen arduously fought.



For more information about how to join the Bowhunter Rights Coalition, call the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, (614) 888-4868 or e-mail info@ussportsmen.org.



The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects 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.
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