I thought some of you might be interested in this regarding these animals. Hunters come out ahead on this one.



‘Three Amigos’ Becomes Law; DSC Lauds Move for Rare Species


WASHINGTON (Jan. 20, 2014)—President Obama has signed into law the 2014 Omnibus Bill, which includes a Dallas Safari Club (DSC)-backed provision to ensure the future of three antelope species nearly extinct in their native countries but flourishing on ranches in Texas.

The “Three Amigos” provision, for which DSC has lobbied over the past several years, exempts U.S. populations of scimitar horned oryx, Dama gazelle and addax from Endangered Species Act protections. The exemptions clear the way for ranchers to maintain herds of these exotic game animals and to offer hunts without federal intervention. Hunting revenue incentivizes ranchers to ensure that populations will continue to thrive.

Author of the provision, Rep. John Carter (R-TX-31) stated, “This legislation gets big government out of the way so that ranchers can begin working to bring these rare antelope populations back to former levels. This has been a long time in coming – but we got it done.”

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX-32) and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA-42) were also key supporters in this effort. “I’m pleased that the House and Senate were able to reach an agreement that allows American sportsmen to continue their conservation of the ‘Three Amigos,’” said Sessions. “Despite the onerous and unnecessary federal regulations that have recently threatened the ongoing work to preserve the existence of these endangered antelope, this Omnibus Appropriations bill takes important steps to protect the ‘Three Amigos’ and preserve our rich sporting heritage.”

The antelope were exempt from the Endangered Species Act from 2005 until 2012 during which time populations experienced dramatic growth in the United States. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was forced to remove the exemption due to legal action that prompted a cumbersome and lengthy permitting process all of which led to a dramatic decrease in populations. For example, Scimitar horned oryx numbers in Texas are now at nearly half of 2010 levels.

“We’re very grateful to Congressman John (Judge) Carter (TX-31) for offering, and Congressman Pete Sessions and Senator John Cornyn for insisting that the ‘Three Amigos’ legislation be a part of the Omnibus Bill. This common-sense conservation measure wouldn’t have happened without their dedicated leadership. Senator Cornyn played a big role behind the scenes in securing Senate support for this specific legislative fix,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “I know that our DSC team and the EWA representatives in Washington, D.C. got this done,” he added.

Organizations partnering with the Dallas Safari Club helping this legislation become a reality include the Exotic Wildlife Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International and North American Deer Farmer’s Association. Special thanks to DSC’s Washington Representative Glenn LeMunyon, and Liz Williams and John Blount with EWA.


Karl

Great news!

That is good news!

Right after these damned liberal fu#*tards caused the extermination of thousands of these once plentiful ( in Texas ) animals!!!!!

Damn the irony of this crap!!!!!!!!


.

I suddenly have this overwhelming desire to hunt Addax.
Thank GOD for Texas!

Details: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (2014 Omnibus Bill)

ANTELOPE RULE (Page 740)
SEC. 127. Before the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall reissue the final rule published on September 2, 2005 (70 Fed. Reg. 52310 et seq.) without regard 19 to any other provision of statute or regulation that applies to issuance of such rule.

:: :: ::

70 Fed. Reg. 52310: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are amending the regulations promulgated under the Endangered Species Act (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) to add new regulations to govern certain activities with U.S. captive-bred scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), and dama gazelle (Gazella dama), which have been listed as endangered. For U.S. captive-bred live wildlife, including embryos and gametes, and sport-hunted trophies of these three species, this rule authorizes certain otherwise prohibited activities that enhance the propagation or survival of the species. International trade in specimens of these species will continue to be subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We have also prepared a final Environmental Assessment with a Finding of No Significant Impact for this final rule under regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 NEPA).

Who the hell came up with this government entity in the first place.
I guess it's like a bunch of kids playing in the sand.
I'm glad someone in Texas actually can think like an adult.
These things should be only dealt on state level and that is what's wrong with Feds. They stick their noses into things that are never their business in the first place

The only way we can stop the USFW from caving into the scumbag antis and stopping their negative bias is through legislative actions. It's unbelievable how anti hunter the USFW has become towards hunters...the same people who carry the load to protect and enhance game populations are treated like potential criminals. The only way to stop them from interpreting laws as they seem fit is for our congressman to standup and make. It happen. You can not expect the judicial system to protect our rights when so many courts are stacked against us. Viva Texas!

To the bitch at HSUS that caused all the problems a few years ago

My ass in your face!

It should be pointed out that SCI has itself filed or been a party to at least half-a-dozen separate cases over the past decade in defense of the Texas game-ranchers who breed these three species.

DSC is nowhere to be found in any of these cases ... (correct me if I'm wrong on that but I don't think so).

It seems that DSC finally got on board late in the game, just in time to get their name in the press. I don't know exactly what "DSC-backed provision" means exactly; maybe they were working behind the scene, but it was SCI who fought the battle in court for years.

wow
this is a great victory for hunting conservation.
It means they tried it, it failed and now they back to hunting as a form of conservation.
Great news, now lets apply that to Lions, Rhinos and Elephants.
regards

To all involved a job well done.

Mike

Sweet! I will be returning to Texas this year for another Oryx. Aside from a beautiful trophy, the meat is light years ahead of venison!

It seems that DSC finally got on board late in the game, just in time to get their name in the press. I don't know exactly what "DSC-backed provision" means exactly; maybe they were working behind the scene, but it was SCI who fought the battle in court for years.[/QUOTE]

Actually, Steve, DSC was there at the early stages of this fight - the fight over the permitting requirement for the Three Amigos. When the District Court ruled that permitting was required and that USFW was ordered to develop and implement a permitting process, DSC began working with the Exotic Wildlife Association and members of Congress. I was in Washington, DC in 2011 in my capacity as DSC President when Ben Carter and several DSC representatives and I met with Charlie Seale, ED of the EWA, and members of Congress. I was in Washington, DC later in 2011 when we met with Reps. John (Judge) Carter, Don Young (DSC member) and Pete Sessions (Life member of DSC and a key proponent of the measure) and others to discuss the very solution that we now have. I know of Glenn Lemunyon's incredible work on the issue. I was there when we met with Charlie, Congressman Sessions and others in Dallas in 2012 to discuss the issue and strategy. I know about the DSC sponsored workshop in Kerrville last year wherein EWA members and others met with USFW representatives. I have had numerous personal conversations with Congressman Sessions about the issue, and I know that others within DSC have had far greater involvement than I have had, including frequent discussions with Senator John Cornyn (Life member of DSC) and a key proponent of the measure. I was there 10 days ago when we met again with Charlie and several other representatives of the EWA in Dallas to discuss the status of our efforts and ongoing strategies.

Unlike you with regard to DSC, I do not question or denigrate SCI's contributions, but rather celebrate and appreciate them. I can't begin to understand why someone would use this opportunity to question DSC's role and motive. I am absolutely certain that anyone and everyone involved in the measure would disagree with your assessment, but don't take my word for it - call Charlie, Jeff Crane of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Congressmen Sessions, Carter, or Young, or Senator Cornyn and ask them.

Regardless of credit, this is a wonderful outcome and I couldn't be happier for Charlie, the members of the EWA and every rancher who is effected by this new law.

Well said, Richard.

Karl

Charly (not Charlie) Seale.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Well said, Richard.

Karl

+1

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
... (correct me if I'm wrong on that but I don't think so).

Consider yourself corrected...

quote:

Originally posted by Richard T. Cheatham:
Actually, Steve, DSC was there at the early stages of this fight - the fight over the permitting requirement for the Three Amigos. When the District Court ruled that permitting was required and that USFW was ordered to develop and implement a permitting process, DSC began working with the Exotic Wildlife Association and members of Congress. I was in Washington, DC in 2011 in my capacity as DSC President when Ben Carter and several DSC representatives and I met with Charlie Seale, ED of the EWA, and members of Congress. I was in Washington, DC later in 2011 when we met with Reps. John (Judge) Carter, Don Young (DSC member) and Pete Sessions (Life member of DSC and a key proponent of the measure) and others to discuss the very solution that we now have. I know of Glenn Lemunyon's incredible work on the issue. I was there when we met with Charlie, Congressman Sessions and others in Dallas in 2012 to discuss the issue and strategy. I know about the DSC sponsored workshop in Kerrville last year wherein EWA members and others met with USFW representatives. I have had numerous personal conversations with Congressman Sessions about the issue, and I know that others within DSC have had far greater involvement than I have had, including frequent discussions with Senator John Cornyn (Life member of DSC) and a key proponent of the measure. I was there 10 days ago when we met again with Charlie and several other representatives of the EWA in Dallas to discuss the status of our efforts and ongoing strategies.

Unlike you with regard to DSC, I do not question or denigrate SCI's contributions, but rather celebrate and appreciate them. I can't begin to understand why someone would use this opportunity to question DSC's role and motive. I am absolutely certain that anyone and everyone involved in the measure would disagree with your assessment, but don't take my word for it - call Charlie, Jeff Crane of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Congressmen Sessions, Carter, or Young, or Senator Cornyn and ask them.

Regardless of credit, this is a wonderful outcome and I couldn't be happier for Charlie, the members of the EWA and every rancher who is effected by this new law.

Hi Richard,

The most striking thing about this entire issue is that it was resolved (so far, anyway) by a 50-word inclusion in the 2014 Omnibus Bill after years of litigation and thousands of pages of court rulings going back to 2005 (which I labored to read through almost all of).

Anyway, when the DSC did get involved (in 2011 according to your notes), they apparently took a different tack by lobbying rather than litigating – which has proven to be much more successful than SCI’s years of effort. So - kudos to the Dallas Safari Club on this victory and apologies for diminishing their (and your) efforts.

Still SCI does deserve some credit for their efforts which no doubt influenced the USF&W Service to reverse course.

Best regards and keep up the good work.

Steve

PS: I expect FoA will challenge this latest development anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
... (correct me if I'm wrong on that but I don't think so).

Consider yourself corrected...

Actually, Jorge, I wasn't wrong. Below is a partial list of the filings which SCI was party to. The DSC never got involved in any of the litigation (again, as far as I know). They worked behind the scene - though to much ggreater effect.

Court Rulings:

Friends of Animals, Plaintiff, v. Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior, Defendant. (SCI – Intervenor) September 14, 2006, Decided

Rebecca Ann Cary, et al, Plaintiffs, v Dale Hall et al, Defendants, Safari Club International, et al, September 30, 2006, Decided

Friends of Animals et al., Appellees v. Kenneth Lee Salazar, Secretary of the Interior and Dale Hall, Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, originally in 06-2120, Appellees; Exotic Wildlife Association, Appellant Safari Club International Foundation and Safari Club International, Appellees. May 18, 2010, Filed (Various motions either dismissed, denied, granted or dismissed-as-moot - disposition not published)

Various Civil Actions: Safari Club International, the Exotic Wildlife Association, and ranch manager Terry Owen (et al.), all against the Department of the Interior (motions denied)

Safari Club International, Plaintiff, v. Sally Jewell, in her official capacity as Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior et al., Defendants. Exotic Wildlife Association, et al., Plaintiffs, v. US Department of the Interior, et al., Defendants (herein referred to as SCI v Jewell). August 9, 2013, Decided

That is why I left the "I don't think so". Still and honestly, you could have worded it a bit more diplomatic...

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
That is why I left the "I don't think so". Still and honestly, you could have worded it a bit more diplomatic...

No doubt.