So, Zinke is in.

What can we expect from the USFWS now regarding import restrictions on certain species.

I'm hoping a return to following CITIES guidelines.

What say you?

Todd,

Wouldn't that make sense and be refreshing.

Mark

Lets start with the Sumatran Rhino and take it from there.

http://www.washingtonexaminer....lers/article/2616278



Day 1: Interior's Zinke welcomes back hunters, shooters, anglers

By PAUL BEDARD (@SECRETSBEDARD) • 3/2/17 2:04 PM

On his first day as the new Interior secretary, Ryan Zinke reached out to hunters, target shooters and anglers by removing the last minute Obama ban on lead used to make traditional bullets and fishing weights.

"Outdoor recreation is about both our heritage and our economy. Between hunting, fishing, motorized recreation, camping and more, the industry generates thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity," said Zinke in a statement Thursday.

He also opened the door to outdoors enthusiasts to help form policy on public lands.

"Over the past eight years however, hunting, and recreation enthusiasts have seen trails closed and dramatic decreases in access to public lands across the board. It worries me to think about hunting and fishing becoming activities for the landowning elite. This package of secretarial orders will expand access for outdoor enthusiasts and also make sure the community's voice is heard," he added.



The Obama administration put a ban on lead on federal land despite urgings from outdoors groups for more study.

In his order, that's exactly what Zinke called for. The signing ceremony was attended by several influential in the outdoors sports world, including Chris W. Cox, the head of the National Rifle Association's legislative arm.

The praise from those who use cheaper lead bullets, for example, was swift.

"Secretary Zinke's rapid response to the previous administration's parting shot on hunters, target shooters and anglers demonstrates the true friend and common sense solutions we can expect from the Department of the Interior," said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which represents manufacturers.

"The timing of the traditional ammunition ban on federal lands tells you everything you need to know about the decision. Likewise, the decisive action by Secretary Zinke tells you what you need to know and what we can expect from an Interior Secretary who himself is a hunter, angler and outdoor sportsman," he added.


Cox, executive director of NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, said, "The Obama administration failed to consult with state fish and wildlife agencies or national angling and hunting organizations in issuing this order. This was not a decision based on sound scientific evidence — it was a last second attack on traditional ammunition and our hunting heritage."

He added, "The fact is that traditional ammunition does not pose a significant population-level risk for wildlife. On behalf of the five million members of the NRA and tens of millions of American sportsmen, we thank Secretary Zinke for eliminating this arbitrary attack on our hunting heritage."

Zinke also showed is support for outdoors enthusiasts by reestablishing former President George W. Bush's Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council which gave sportsmen and women a role in outdoors policies.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com

Great start, but also low hanging fruit. Let's get started on the big meaningful stuff.

.

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
Great start, but also low hanging fruit. Let's get started on the big meaningful stuff.

.

????

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
Great start, but also low hanging fruit. Let's get started on the big meaningful stuff.

We shall see . . . in talking to Conservation Force today sounds like those of us, including myself, that applied for elephant trophy import permits are starting to get denial letters. I got mine last week and Conservation Force has two others. We have 45 days to file for reconsideration . . . and that is the plan.

I like that he opposes transferring federal lands to the states, who would very likely sell them off to pay inflated retirement packages for public employees.
I also like that he rode his freakin' horse to the Capitol today, and that he was Navy SEAL.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I like that he opposes transferring federal lands to the states, who would very likely sell them off to pay inflated retirement packages for public employees.
I also like that he rode his freakin' horse to the Capitol today, and that he was Navy SEAL.

I like that he rides and was a Navy SEAL, but not sure about the public land stance. The feds have closed off more land than the states have and sold gold gold mine land to China and uranium mines to Russia. Maybe the states will not sell it off-none have threatened to yet, not even Utah. Bill, you may be right about Oregon, though. The libs owe a lot to the public sector unions.

quote:

Originally posted by twoseventy:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I like that he opposes transferring federal lands to the states, who would very likely sell them off to pay inflated retirement packages for public employees.
I also like that he rode his freakin' horse to the Capitol today, and that he was Navy SEAL.

I like that he rides and was a Navy SEAL, but not sure about the public land stance. The feds have closed off more land than the states have and sold gold gold mine land to China and uranium mines to Russia. Maybe the states will not sell it off-none have threatened to yet, not even Utah. Bill, you may be right about Oregon, though. The libs owe a lot to the public sector unions.

Public lands is a complex issue. Can you send some links to the claims above? Not denying at all, just want to see both sides of the story, and I see plenty of the "Keep It Public" side. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
Great start, but also low hanging fruit. Let's get started on the big meaningful stuff.

We shall see . . . in talking to Conservation Force today sounds like those of us, including myself, that applied for elephant trophy import permits are starting to get denial letters. I got mine last week and Conservation Force has two others. We have 45 days to file for reconsideration . . . and that is the plan.

Do they charge you to file for reconsideration?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
Great start, but also low hanging fruit. Let's get started on the big meaningful stuff.

We shall see . . . in talking to Conservation Force today sounds like those of us, including myself, that applied for elephant trophy import permits are starting to get denial letters. I got mine last week and Conservation Force has two others. We have 45 days to file for reconsideration . . . and that is the plan.

Wouldn't a denial at this point be a given until the actual ban is lifted? Or are you filing as an exception to the ban? Not sure of the process.

Lot of good logic there. Must have consulted with the Russians.


Grizz

One more for hoping federal land stays that way. Access is its own issue but making the problem go away by handing it to the states to do as they will doesn't solve anything.

Impressive that Zinke removed the lead ban on his first day. Here's hoping he is someone we can work with.

Too bad there's not a way to go retro and eliminate a bunch of the wilderness areas screwing us over for the past 40-50 years.

George

You would naturally appeal if there is an appellate process so that you can exhaust all administrative remedies. This is necessary in many situations before you may go forward with a law suit or other administrative remedy. It is an affirmative defense for agencies to kick you out if you have failed to exhaust such remedies.

Zinke also signed an order on Thursday that would direct federal agencies to identify areas where recreation and fishing can be expanded and sought recommendations for expanding access to public lands and improving fishing and wildlife habitat.
"This package of secretarial orders will expand access for outdoor enthusiasts and also make sure the community's voice is heard," he said.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
Great start, but also low hanging fruit. Let's get started on the big meaningful stuff.

We shall see . . . in talking to Conservation Force today sounds like those of us, including myself, that applied for elephant trophy import permits are starting to get denial letters. I got mine last week and Conservation Force has two others. We have 45 days to file for reconsideration . . . and that is the plan.

I have a trophy bull hunt later this year and applied for a permit last August...still have not heard anything about it yet. Will post when I hear something but am still hopeful. Going whether I get it or not.

As a hunter , expanding motorized access is a bad deal, it only screws up good hunting
All the NF has public access, just off your fat ass boys and walk

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Too bad there's not a way to go retro and eliminate a bunch of the wilderness areas screwing us over for the past 40-50 years.

George

I like wilderness areas; glad the Selway is wilderness. We have enough roads right now; in AZ you can't walk a mile without running into one in anything except mountainous terrain.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Too bad there's not a way to go retro and eliminate a bunch of the wilderness areas screwing us over for the past 40-50 years.

George

I like wilderness areas; glad the Selway is wilderness. We have enough roads right now; in AZ you can't walk a mile without running into one in anything except mountainous terrain.

+1...I love the designated wilderness areas! My mules get into them just fine.

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
As a hunter , expanding motorized access is a bad deal, it only screws up good hunting
All the NF has public access, just off your fat ass boys and walk

Yup I agree..... But here is Washington NF roads have been slowly closing for some time. It would be nice if the USFS would get some funding for recreation to open a few back up.

I for one am all in favor of keeping designated wilderness areas as such, meaning walk or horseback only.

Ryan did more on his first day for Hunters than Barack did in eight years. Like Trump give him some time and see what falls out> I have hunted with the guy a couple of times and he seem genuine. The ivory ban came straight from Michele Obama.

quote:

Originally posted by gunny:
Ryan did more on his first day for Hunters than Barack did in eight years. Like Trump give him some time and see what falls out> I have hunted with the guy a couple of times and he seem genuine. The ivory ban came straight from Michele Obama.

I am not going to say that MO played no role but...

My investigation into the ivory ban suggests it was driven by Chelsea Clinton. It was granted as a gift from the 0bama admin to Clintons in exchange for who knows what as they 'assumed' HRC would be the next POTUS. Chelsea's plans through the Clinton Foundation were well known to end all African Hunting. The ivory ban was the beginning means to the end.

Mike: Was your request for an importation permit from your 2015 hunt or a future hunt? Does Conservation Force have any opinion regarding if and when the ban is lifted will it allow those of us who hunted in 2015 and 2016 to bring our ivory home?

It was an importation permit application for the elephant bull I hunted in February 2015. I have not discussed with Conservation Force the implications of the ban being lifted on elephant trophies taken during the ban period. They do believe that the denial of the importation permit ignored a significant amount of information that was provided to the USFWS subsequent to March 2015 (the date of the memo relied upon for denial of the import permit) and on that basis are somewhat bullish on the reconsideration request. We will see . . .

Thanks, Mike. In your opinion would there be any benefit to me submitting a request at this point for my hunt in 2015? I was on SCI's email list at one time regarding this but have not heard from them or John Jackson in some time.

Do not really know the answer to that . . . I am not sure if there is any limitation on the time period for filing for an import permit. As I said, I hunted my elephant in February 2015 and filed for the permit in August 2016 . . . a period of 18 months if that helps. My thought was two-fold. One, hold the USFWS accountable by requiring them to address the permit application, forcing them to consider information submitted in the last year regarding the elephant situation in Zim, etc. In other words, let them know hunters were not just going to accept the ban and go away. Two, keep the issue open to see if the change in Administration results in a change in policy.

The Request for Reconsideration filed by Conservation Force is set forth below.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
The Request for Reconsideration filed by Conservation Force is set forth below.

Good luck Mike. I submitted my application later than you guys so haven't gotten my denial yet.

I noticed no cc. to Zinke. Do you think that may have been worthwhile? Maybe putting on his radar?

Cheers
Jim

Good luck. Be interested to see the response.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Do not really know the answer to that . . . I am not sure if there is any limitation on the time period for filing for an import permit. As I said, I hunted my elephant in February 2015 and filed for the permit in August 2016 . . . a period of 18 months if that helps. My thought was two-fold. One, hold the USFWS accountable by requiring them to address the permit application, forcing them to consider information submitted in the last year regarding the elephant situation in Zim, etc. In other words, let them know hunters were not just going to accept the ban and go away. Two, keep the issue open to see if the change in Administration results in a change in policy.

There is a time limit. I ran into that on another CITES permit last year on LDE in Cameroon. I do not know what the time limit is but the shipper waited almost too long.