Has anyone heard of this?

If I am reading it right the antis have managed to convince USFWS to approach CITES and have them review the entire "hunting as a conservation tool" resolution that CITES adopted back in 1979. In essence do an end run and get CITES to disapprove of hunting?!!

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/...-end-trophy-hunting/

"There are many social obstacles that must be overcome if we are going to finally end trophy hunting of endangered African lions, rhinos, elephants, and other animals.

But what few realize is that the primary legal basis for allowing the killing of these animals for “sport” rests on the nonsensical theory that trophy-hunting can work as a “conservation tool” to ensure these animals continue to survive in the wild. Supporters of this theory, which are led by sport-hunting advocacy organizations, like the Exotic Wildlife Association, Conservation Force, and the Safari Club International, argue that trophy hunting can accomplish two goals: incentivize governments in developing countries to generate conservation programs; and directly raise funds for on the ground conservation efforts in countries with otherwise limited resources.

It probably won’t come as much of a surprise to you that supporters of trophy hunting-based conservation theories simply ignore that these so-called benefits have not overcome the long-term negative impact of hunting. namely the legalized killing of these animals continues to decrease their overall chance of survivability as a species in the wild.

Trophy Hunting and “Conservation”

In fact, researchers at the University of Manchester recently conducted a study on illegal trade of wildlife and found that “the literature advocating trade as a conservation solution for endangered species relies on models that are based on simplistic and/or extremely restrictive assumptions.” The study went on to explain that “[i]n most cases these models rely on conceptual tools that have been theoretically discredited.” In contrast, many objective scientific studies and in-the-field observations (that are not directly supported by sport-hunting organizations) have repeatedly concluded that sport-hunting endangered or threatened species, even if well managed, is one of the primary factors driving the illegal trade of these species in the black market. These findings show that the legal and illegal markets are intertwined in a complex manner and that their interactions create a dual market that is impossible to regulate.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

So if research has casts serious doubt on, if not completely disproved, the trophy hunting-based conservation model, the why is it still legal to kill these animals for sport? The answer rests in a single document adopted under the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) over 35 years ago. That document — Resolution Conf. 2.11 (1979)—accepts the hunter’s conservation theory and legalizes the trade in trophy hunted animals.

But here is the good news. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that it is seriously considering raising the validity of this 1979 CITES resolution at the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP17), which will be held in South Africa in September 2016. You can read FWS’s announcement of this proposal here.

The decision to bring to the meeting the issue of trophy hunting and its impact on conserving endangered African wildlife is not final, however. FWS is in the process of soliciting further comments from the public on its CITES agenda.

What You Can Do

If you want to help end trophy hunting of endangered African wildlife, submit a comment to FWS now telling them you support the proposal, originally offered by Friends of Animals, to raise anew the issue of how CITES treats trophy hunting.

FWS must receive comments by February 2, 2016. Here is how to make your voice heard:
•Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2014-0018 (the docket number for this notice).
•U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-IA-2014-0018; Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS BPHC; Falls Church, VA 22041."


Excerpt from official filing in the Federal Register

http://www.fws.gov/internation...extended-version.pdf

"6. Trade in sport-hunted trophies
Friends of Animals recommended that we submit several draft decisions, including a draft decision directing Parties that undertake voluntary wildlife trade policy reviews to examine the probable impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild and provide the Secretariat with the results so that these may be shared with the Parties; a draft decision directing the Animals Committee to form a working group to examine the probable impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild and submit its findings to the Secretariat; and a draft decision directing the Secretariat to compile information received on this issue on its website, assist interested Parties in examining the probable impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild, organize a conference to examine the findings of the Animals Committee on the probable impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild, and report at SC69 and CoP18. We agree that, due to the substantial attention devoted to sport hunting of certain CITES-listed species and the specific resolutions and decisions that consider sport hunting, it may be useful to examine more closely how CITES treats sport hunting. We are considering the utility of raising these issues via a discussion document at CoP17."

The entire basis of the antis argument is always the same. Emotionally, I do not like cute cuddly animals being killed for fun. I have no real life and am basically rejected by all human beings. I derive all my pleasure and happiness from my 3 cats, who have no Idea what a loser I am, because I feed them.

They then use bogus studies and propaganda by like minded losers who base their arguments on feelings with the sole purpose of furthering their cause. No facts, no arguments, no examples. Just innuendo, hyperbole and anger.

We just need to expose them for the weak souls they are and make sure no one listens to them.

quote:

They then use bogus studies and propaganda by like minded losers who base their arguments on feelings with the sole purpose of furthering their cause. No facts, no arguments, no examples. Just innuendo, hyperbole and anger.

And like it or not, they have found the correct recipe in the ongoing war against hunters - problem is that the hunters are on the losing end as they are only able to offer criticism but nothing of substance that may effectively counter this onslaught.

I saw this last night by picking up a link off of Yahoo News. I was going to post something similar. I'm glad you caught it.

This is exactly they way regulations get changed. As such, we need to participate by commenting as clearly, directly, and unemotionally as possible. They have found a very effective way to create change in their favor if we do not respond.

Good catch!

Read paragraph 6 in the PDF:

Trade in sport-hunted trophies
Friends of Animals recommended that we submit several draft decisions, including a draft
decision directing Parties that undertake voluntary wildlife trade policy reviews to examine the
probable impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild
and provide the Secretariat with the results so that these may be shared with the Parties; a draft
5
decision directing the Animals Committee to form a working group to examine the probable
impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild and submit
its findings to the Secretariat; and a draft decision directing the Secretariat to compile
information received on this issue on its website, assist interested Parties in examining the
probable impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild,
organize a conference to examine the findings of the Animals Committee on the probable
impacts of lawful sport hunting on the sustainability of the hunted species in the wild, and report
at SC69 and CoP18. We agree that, due to the substantial attention devoted to sport hunting of
certain CITES-listed species and the specific resolutions and decisions that consider sport
hunting, it may be useful to examine more closely how CITES treats sport hunting. We are
considering the utility of raising these issues via a discussion document at CoP17.

They maybe nuts, but they are organizing better than we are.

quote:

They maybe nuts, but they are organizing better than we are.

One of the most effective weapons in the anti-hunter's arsenal (after Facebook) is the initiation and circulation of online petitions (via change.org). If one of their ilk posts anything regarding animal welfare on the various anti-hunting Facebook pages, one of their followers will always ask "Is there a petition that we can sign?".

Antihunters Spring?
That is a social media's best weapon and I honestly have doubts, we can match it anywhere near close to what they accomplish.
Don't wanna be Doug Downer, just seeing it that way.

I was concerned by the title and then when I took the time to review the website I realized it is actually comical.
Unfortunately these people have their heads in the clouds, that's not to say they are not capable of causing damage but rather they are so far gone that no matter the response from the hunting industry, they will not change!

Hunt on gentlemen...hunt on!

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

They then use bogus studies and propaganda by like minded losers who base their arguments on feelings with the sole purpose of furthering their cause. No facts, no arguments, no examples. Just innuendo, hyperbole and anger.

And like it or not, they have found the correct recipe in the ongoing war against hunters - problem is that the hunters are on the losing end as they are only able to offer criticism but nothing of substance that may effectively counter this onslaught.

Nothing of substance? Maybe to emotional idiots, but to anyone who can think critically all we have to do is demonstrate to difference between wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania or Kenya and South Africa. In the 70's Kenya was game paradise and SA was almost devoid. My how the pages turn when legal trophy hunting ceases in one country, and flourishes in another.

Also Namibia seems to not be swayed by the Anti's and can be held up as a wonderful model. They are even hunting a select few Black Rhino, and I believe the money raised by such hunts can be documented as being used in rhino conservation.

And if you need examples outside Africa, White tailed deer, elk, bison, turkey, pronghorn numbers all up from 100 or so years ago. End market hunting(poaching), allow regulated(read season and bag limit) trophy and non trophy hunting, wildlife and entire species, benefit.

Their argument that hunting does not help species survive in the wild is asinine. Bontebok, Southern White Rhino to name just two owe their existence to game ranchers.

Thanks, VV. Here are the comments I just posted.

Regards, Tim

Under possible agenda approaches, item B.6 notes a Friends of Animals request to begin review of the impact of lawful sport hunting on wildlife. That issue was settled decades ago as CITES adherents accepted that sport hunting is a feature of sustainable use of wildlife. The fundamental principle is sustainable use. The proposal appears to be an attempt to undermine the very concept of sustainable use by calling into question a major element of its practice, sport hunting.

I oppose this approach and urge that the United States does not raise it at the Conference of Parties.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Collector:
The entire basis of the antis argument is always the same. Emotionally, I do not like cute cuddly animals being killed for fun. I have no real life and am basically rejected by all human beings. I derive all my pleasure and happiness from my 3 cats, who have no Idea what a loser I am, because I feed them.

They then use bogus studies and propaganda by like minded losers who base their arguments on feelings with the sole purpose of furthering their cause. No facts, no arguments, no examples. Just innuendo, hyperbole and anger.

We just need to expose them for the weak souls they are and make sure no one listens to them.

You are quite wrong in your assessment. Many hunters are on this band wagon. Many people who otherwise approve of hunting for food are on this bandwagon.

Jeff

Some of those hunters have even hunted Africa.The moment they decide that it is difficult for them to return again to Africa for whatever the reason they try and ruin it for the ones that can.Some post here on AR.