HA Newsletter 03

A few years ago when HUNTER'S ALERT was founded, we were labelled as radicals and malcontents by some of the Wildlife Commissioners. This was because we felt there was a strong smell of antihunting in the Nevada Department of Wildlife. We had our reasons. Quite obviously, when you see the director of NDOW sitting with and being supported by antihunting groups, you must suspect something. In addition, we felt that when our Governor's appointed Wildlife Commissioners are setting hunting regu­lations and seasons for all Nevada hunters, they should have some experi­ence. When they have never hunted in their lives, it makes one wonder where their experience has developed to prop­erly do this important task.

The time is here and it's your choice. You can continue on the same course of less game or you can do something about it. Nevada hunters have never been at such a seri­ous crossroads when it comes to hunting and fishing. Game numbers continue to decline and so are the numbers of hunters and fishermen. We are going to be the endangered species if we continue this direction. HUNTER'S ALERT has made a difference in the last two legisla­tive sessions and we can do it again.

My name is Cecil Fredi and I thank you for the privilege of speaking to you today. I represent a group called HUNTER'S ALERT and I'm going to talk for a few minutes about some prob­lems concerning our shared interest in fish and game matters. I'll then be happy to answer any questions regarding our goals. I have some literature for those of you who may be interested.

Because of involvement in civic responsibilities for most of my adult life, 1 had very little time for one of my favorite pastimes, hunting. However, when time permitted, I enjoyed hunting in Nevada for over 30 years and have many fond memories of these trips.
I feel strongly that hunters must be able to have controlled hunting while not endangering any species. Overkill and overprotection are both practices which are detrimental to all species. A good example of overprotection is the wild horse and burro. Because they are wild, their numbers need to be stabilized as are deer, antelope and other wild animals. With total protection, their numbers increase to the point that they damage their range and diminish their food sup­ply. By not overkilling or overprotecting, there will always be a healthy herd of wild horses and burros.

This could quite possibly be the most important year for your hunting future. If you are one of the outdoors people who let everyone else do it (make necessary changes), then we will all be the losers. If you think your hunting, fishing, and trap­ping are not in jeopardy, then just look at the recent election in Arizona (Proposition 200) to outlaw these outdoor activities. In the final vote, 68% of the people voted to keep hunting, fishing, and trapping in that state. WHOOPEE! We won. Do you realize that if 12-1/2% more of the voting public wanted to out­law these activities, they would be lost forever. The defeated were so happy with this high percentage that they are already coming back with a "reworded bill" in a couple years.

In February this year, the Foundation of North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) had their fundraiser in Reno. Two Nevada Desert Bighorn sheep tags were auctioned, one for $75,000 and the other for over $80,000. The Arizona Desert Bighorn tag went for a record $301,000. From this we learned the Desert Bighorn sheep is indeed a prized, valued trophy. Apparently, NDOW and our Wildlife Commission do not look at it this way because they want to give our Desert Bighorn sheep away. The last time they did this it was the fee­ble excuse, "We traded for turkeys." In other words, NDOW traded a herd of prize beef for a cocktail weenie.

...is it that a 200pound man
and a 100 pound woman can
reproduce in the back seat of a
Volkswagen but the spotted
owl needs millions of acres?
...is it that you can buy a
hunting license in any of
Arizona's regional Fish &
Game Department offices but
in Nevada you cannot
purchase a license
in any office?

...who says he is not interested
in politics is like a drowning
man who says he isn't
interested in a life raft.

"Don't" rely on others.

Do your part to make hunting and fishing better in our state.

All sportsmen and users of public lands in Clark County need to be aware that the attempt to close substantial areas in both the northern and southern parts of the county are continu­ing. Environmental activists and animal rights groups are persisting in the attempt to persuade the U.S. Forest Service and BLM that the tortoise should be given priority over people when it comes to access to public lands. (Sadly, these agencies seem to need very little convincing in that restricting access to land has been a primary goal for years.)