Guys, this would help if everyone would comment on this issue. Even if you have no plans to hunt any of these exotics, letting the USF&W put them on restrictions or CITES opens the door to more trouble for hunting in the US. Please take a minute and post a positive comment against regulations.
Thanks, David

As you are aware, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has announced a proposed rule that will change the existing system for the take and use of U.S. captive bred scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle and addax. The proposed rule was published on July 7, 2011 and the public has until August 8, 2011 to submit comments. [Please note that Safari Club International will be asking for an extension of time for submission of comments. If that extension is granted, we will inform you.]



This is a very important opportunity for all owners of herds of these species to tell the FWS about their herds, their successes in raising and allowing for hunting of these animals, and the problems it will cause if permit restrictions are imposed on the trade and use of these antelope. It is also an excellent opportunity for owners to explain to the FWS exactly what type of restrictions, if any, they will tolerate so that they can continue to own, raise and breed these animals.



Attached to this e-mail is a questionnaire that we have put together to help you to put together your comments for the FWS. The answers to these questions are the information that the FWS needs to know to help them understand the situation you are facing and to craft a solution that will not harm your efforts or the three antelope species. Do not submit the questionnaire itself, but simply use it as a guide for the kind of information to send, in letter form, to the FWS.



When drafting your letter, please be candid. If permit restrictions of any kind will force you to end your ownership of one or more of these three exotic species, do say so. But, if there are some kind of restrictions that you can think of that would create a system that would allow you to continue your ownership and use of these animals, then share it. The FWS is looking to ranchers and owners to help create a system that will allow those ranchers and owners to continue to earn an economic benefit from these species and that will allow conservation of the three species to persist. This is your chance to tell the Service how they can make that work, within the confines of the Endangered Species Act.



You are welcome to share the questionnaire with your friends and fellow owners of these three species to help them craft their own letters to the FWS.



If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Nelson Freeman at 202-543-8733 or nfreeman@safariclub.org .



Individuals must submit their comments to the FWS by August 8, 2011. You can mail your comments to the address below or email them to nfreeman@safariclub.org and we will deliver your comments to FWS.



By U.S. mail or hand-delivery:

Public Comments Processing,

Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2010-0056

Division of Policy and Directives Management

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222

Arlington, VA 22203



Thank you.



Nelson Freeman

Government Affairs & Hunter Advocacy

Safari Club International – D.C.

501 2nd St, NE

Washington, DC 20002

Office: 202-543-8733 or email nfreeman@safariclub.org

Out of 105 views, did any of you bother to send a simple email to Nelson at SCI or the Fed's? Closing hunting for these 3 species that are alive and well on private ranches is just another nail in the coffin to stop all hunting. That's the main goal of the anti-hunting crowd.

Dave,

The thread might be a bit confusing for many. Where is the survey? A link or two would be very helpful.

Most of us do not own land or wildlife in Texas. I am probably one of the few who would 'hunt' an exotic on a ranch. Those animals totally have the advantage on me and my late 40's Osteo-arthritis.

Being from the midwest and now living on the East Coast, I understand small properties, no trespassing and a whole lot of small acreage hunting rules and confinement (of the hunter).

The sad thing about AR is many just don't care because it isn't free range enough for them. Particularly for those who live west of the Big Muddy who have millions and millions of acres of BLM and Fed lands to hunt unencumbered upon.

I too urge all here to speak up and support these ranches, these animals belong to them. Not our panhandling government.
I personally hate to see ANYTHING regulated by our government. I hope those who do tune in and read re-think their decision to not post or comment because it is all about gov't restraint and the loss of our individual freedom....

I heard some folks are cross breading Gemsbok Scimitar Horned Oryx to create a new species.