U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Sportsmen Monthly June 2015

8/21/2019 U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Sportsmen Monthly June 2015

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O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U . S . S P O R T S M E N ’ S A L L I A N C E

COMING SOON:

PROJECT ELK

COLORADO

YOUTH

CALIFORNIA

POLITICS

MAINE BEARS

AGAIN!

A N T I - H U N T I N G ' S U N C H E C K E D WA R O N W O M E N PG. 5

SOCIAL

INJUSTICE


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contents what’s inside

1 Sportsmen’s Monthly June

USSA @USSportsmen USSA @USSportsmen

Spreading the hunting heritage atthe @USSportsmen Trailblazer Adventure Day in Alabama thisweekend! #ourheritage

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

www.instagram.com/ussapixwww.facebook.com/ussportsmen

follow us!

www.twitter.com/USSportsmen

social media what’s trending?

We’re extremely thankful to haveawesome volunteers at USSA.#hunting #OurHeritageOurFight

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

1SOCIAL MEDIAThe greatest posts from ourFacebook and Twitter feeds.

2President's Message

A note from Nick Pinizzotto,President and CEO of yourSportsmen's Alliance.

3 NEWSWhat’s making headlinesaround the country.

7 Western office updateSportsmen's Alliance and ATCC lobby Gov. for science-minded commissioners.

8 FAMILIES AFIELD REACHES 38TH STATEMontana and Colorado jointhe ranks of states that allowapprentice-license hunters.

9 #projectelk on sportsman channelSportsmen's Alliance signs onas sponsor of one-hour elk-hunting special.

5 In the virtual battlegroundsof Facebook and Twitter,social justice reigns supreme-- except for female hunters.Unbridled backlash from acelebrity and his followerssets a dangerous precedent.

social injustice

3

7

9


3/12

messagefrom the president

June Sportsmen’s Monthly 2

Social media has changed how people communicate. When

I was growing up, I would take photos on a basic lm

camera of the sh and game our family caught or shot and

then wait until that particular roll was full before sending it in to

be developed. By the time the pictures came back, it was usually

already the following season and sharing them almost seemed

like reporting old news.

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago when my wife shot her

rst gobbler in Ohio. Within minutes I shared her photos on

social media and with family and friends via email and text. By

the time we left the farm, several hundred people had already

seen them. But is the ability to post hunting and shing photos

for the masses to see and comment on a good thing?

There are many sides to this argument and you will read about

several aspects of the situation in this issue of Sportsmen’s

Monthly. Personally, I think it’s great to share photos of our

outdoor passion, but I also believe lines can be crossed that only

serve to invite negative backlash from anti-hunters and even

non-hunters who aren’t necessarily against hunting.That said, it is the anti-hunting community that routinely

crosses the line from general disagreement and into the world of

bullying, antagonizing and threats. Anti-hunting celebrities can

make it worse when they decide to share their opinions.

For example, Ricky Gervais, who has more than 10 million

followers on Facebook and Twitter, mocked and rebuked a

female hunter named Rebecca Francis for killing an old bull

giraffe while in Africa. His followers on social media took it

even further, calling

her disparaging names,

wishing harm and even

death upon her. While

it would be nice to

chalk this up to online

bravado, it’s not a

stretch to believe that

of Gervais’ millions of

followers, one might

actually attempt to harm

Francis or another hunter. Celebrity worship in today’s society

is what makes idle threats scary, and the ability to nd personal

information online is what makes those threats very real.

When posting photos on social media, take precautions about

who you are sharing those images with and how they reect

upon your hunt, as well as all hunters. Those images and how

you engage online with those who have different views are

important building blocks with non-hunters. You’re never goingto convince an anti-hunter to change their view, but what you

post could inuence a non-hunter – and that has ramications for

all of us when a vote to protect hunting is needed.

Nick Pinizzotto | President and CEO

Spreading the outdoor

heritage to futuregenerations of hunters

anglers and trappers

1.8 millionparticipants

events in all50 states

more than 10events a year

The most successful youth program of its kind, ussa foundation’s trailblazer adventure prog

introduces youth to hunting, fishing and trapping across the country


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The National Shooting Sports Foundation, thetrade association for the firearms industryand staunch supporter of the Sportsmen's

Alliance, recognized Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) forquestioning the fundraising tactics of the HumaneSociety of the United States. During a subcommitteehearing on the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015,Inhofe grilled HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle about theorganization’s misleading fundraising activity. Despiteraising $1.7 million from Oklahomans, largely throughads implying the funds raised would help animalsdisplaced by tornadoes, legitimate state animalwelfare organizations received only $110,000.

A New York Supreme CourtJustice signed an order forcingStony Brook University to re-spond to an animal rights groupthat believed two research chim-

panzees were being unlawfullydetained. The group deemed theorder a writ of habeas corpus,

which can only be granted to people, and claimed victory tothe media that chimps possessedthe same rights as humans.The judge amended the orderto scratch the writ but let thedetainment issue remain.

Rep. Dillon Bates of

Westbrook, Maine, a suburb

of Portland, introduced a billto ban bear hunting with dogs

and traps. Bates seeks to renew

discussions shot down by

citizens last year over ballot

Question 1. As we said prior

to the Nov. 4 vote, if left to

citizens and the legislators who

represent them, bear hunting

is a non-issue. Bates’ bill has

garnered little support and sits

stagnant in committee.

Coyotes up and down the east

coast have made bold attacks

on pets, livestock and humansalike. Four separate attacks

in a New Jersey township in

less than a month, including

three dogs and a sheep, have

citizens on alert. A Georgia

family awoke to nd a coyote

lounging on their kitchen

counter, and children and adults

in one Florida subdivision

were attacked by coyotes in

separate incidences.

An exacting winter across the

northern U.S. has taken a toll

on deer herds. In response,

biologists will look at reducing

hunting permits. That could

mean a 23-percent cut in

Maine, a 4-percent reduction in

Pennsylvania and a 50-percent

decrease in Vermont antlerlesstags. New Hampshire might

trim hunting days, and a drastic

proposal for Michigan’s

Upper Peninsula calls for a

cancellation of the season.

group claims chimpanzees

possess 'personhood'

Aggressive East Coast

Coyotes attack humans

Maine Legislator Proposes

bill to ban Bear hunting

Harsh Winter Leads to

Future Harvest Cuts

NSSF HONORS SEN. INHOFE FOR GRILLINGHUMANE SOCIETY OF UNITED STATES CEO

news around the country



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june Sportsmen’s Monthly 4

SOCIAL INJUSTICE

IN THE VIRTUAL BATTLEGROUNDS OF FACEBOOK, TWIT TER ANDYOUTUBE, SOCIAL JUSTICE REIGNS SUPREME – EXCEPT FO R HUNTERS

BY BRIAN LYNN, VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS


6/12

TODAY’S 24-HOUR NEWS CYCLE IS MORE DIVISIVE THAN

INFORMATIVE. BOTH SIDES OF ANY ISSUE CAN FIND CON-FIRMATION OF THEIR BIASES ONLINE AND CAN USE THATINFORMATION TO STIR A POT OF HATE AND DISCORD.WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, EVERY MOVE-MENT HAS A HASHTAG, AND FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS

AND COMPLETE STRANGERS USE THEM TO EXCHANGEFRENZIED OPINIONS WHENEVER A NEWS STORY BREAKS

AFFIRMING THE BELIEFS OF ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER.

Seemingly absent fromthe outrage of social-justicewarriors however, are hunt-ers – specifically femalehunters. The fastest grow-ing segment of sportsmen,women have time and againbeen singled out, vilifiedand harassed for undertak-ing the same exploits asgenerations of men.

It’s apparently justifi-able to threaten women

over their participation in

hunting. No feminist grouphas applied the hashtag#WarOnWomen to femalehunters targeted by animal-rights activists, despite thepublic leveling of obsceni-ties and death threats.

Until recently, main-stream media has neverbothered to address thediscrepancies, despite en-

joying the revenue reapedby covering the flare-ups

with salacious headlines,

sound bites and vitriol-filleddiscussion threads.However, the free pass

of hatred might be com-ing to an end. On April 17,the Washington Post, whilecovering the latest exampleof sexism in America – thatbeing the targeting of Re-becca Francis by comedianRicky Gervais, wrote aboutthe inconsistencies femalehunters face and why they

evoke such derisive scorn.

SOCIALINJUSTICE


Social Media Targets

REBECCA FRANCIS: A recenttarget, Francis drewthe disdain of actorand comedian RickyGervais after postinga photo with a giraffe. A fight took place onFacebook and Twit-

ter, and was coveredby mainstream news.Gervais backed offwhen accused of sex-ism and shifted gearsto include all hunters.

JEN “THE ARCHER” CORDARO: Vegetarian turnedhunter, Cordaro raisedantis' ire when sheposted a picture withsnow geese. Her mes-

saging cut through theflak and drew posi-tive news attention tohunting and her youthprogram. Her Face-book page is filled withfacts, and bridges thegap with non-hunters.

CHARISA ARGYS: Afterposting a photo of heradopted cat to their lo-cal shelter’s Facebook

page, a journalist fromGermany combedthrough Argys’ photosand found one of herwith a legally takenmountain lion fromColorado. The photowent viral and shereceived threats fromaround the globe.

THREATENED HUNTRESSES(CLOCKWISE): REBECCA FRANCIS,CHARISA ARGYS AND JEN CORDARO.


7/12

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June Sportsmen’s Monthly 6

While it’s encouragingto finally see the topicbroached in the media, apublic condemnation ofthe unjust hatred from anypublic entity – politician,social group or newscaster– has yet to surface. And inthis day and age, that sets avery dangerous precedent.

DIGITAL-AGEDANGERS

Though online threats

could be chalked up tohate speech spewed by anignorant yet vocal minor-ity, potential for vast harmexists. Access to informa-tion online makes findinga person's home address,place of employment orchild’s school simplistic.

Animal-rights activistshave assaulted people,burned multimillion dollarbusinesses and universities

to the ground and will-ingly go to prison for any

act that promulgates theirmisguided belief system.

When celebrities usetheir influence to targetlaw-abiding citizens, thosethreats can easily movefrom benign to malevolent.Superstars, of all people,should understand the per-version their celebrity cancreate, how statements canbe twisted and the lengthsindividuals will go to inorder to impress them.

In 1989, Rebecca Schaef-fer, star of the sitcom MySister Sam, was gunneddown by Robert John Bardo– her death served as theimpetus for passage of anti-stalking laws in California.In 1980, Mark David Chap-man killed John Lennonafter idolizing him for years.

And, in 1981, John Hinckley, Jr., attempted to assassinatePresident Ronald Regan as

means to impress the youngactress Jodie Foster.

The fact that Ricky Ger-vais, a man who has hostedthe Academy Awards andwho has more than 10 mil-lion followers on Facebookand Twitter, can freely andwithout reproach singleout a female hunter, oreven hunters in general, fortargeting by those who idol-ize him and share a fringebelief system is scary.

It’s also a testament tothe work hunters must

undertake to educate non-hunters and the mediaabout the role we serve inconservation, as well as themanagement and fundingof wildlife.

Each of us plays a role inthe positive promotion oreventual demise of hunting,fishing and trapping. Howwe conduct ourselves andthe image we perpetuate tonon-hunters online is just

one piece of the protectionpuzzle we must solve.

Avoid Becominga Target

ENSURE YOUR PRIVACY Keep your privacy set-tings to ‘friends only’on Facebook and otherplatforms so that onlypeople you know and

trust can view yourcontent. Check thesesettings frequentlyas they sometimeschange and differentposts can have differ-ent parameters.

CORRECT CONNECTIONS Don’t accept invita-tions to connect withpeople you don’tactually know. Giving a

stranger a glimpse into your personal life hasramifications.

POST T ASTEFUL PHOTOS While admittedlya subjective topic,photos that containpools of blood andcarcasses with gutshanging out can churnthe stomachs of thosenot accustomed to

or who don’t under-stand hunting. There’sno need to apologizefor being a hunter,but there’s also noneed to antagonizesomeone and to turna non-hunter into ananti-hunter by postinggraphic images.

Rules of Social Engagement

WITH EVERY SOCIAL-MEDIA TEMPEST SURROUNDING HUNTERS, YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO EDUCATE THE NON-HUNTING PUBLIC, A CONTINGENCY WHO, THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX, HAS THE POWER TO END HUNTING. WITH EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA POST, YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO ADVANCE HUNTING AND TO TELL THE STORY OF HOW HUNTERS FUND CONSERVATION AND MANAGE GAME.

CHANGE MINDS, NOT HEARTS

You’ll never convince an animal-rights

activist that hunting is necessary,

so don’t concentrate on them. Focusinstead on the non-hunters lurking

and watching online exchanges.

Frame the argument not in emotional

terms, but in science, sustainability,

funding, biology and conservation. It’s

about influencing non-hunters and

helping them understand our role in

conservation and wildlife management

throughout the ecosystem – from

habitat to apex predator.

ASK QUESTIONS

Don’t play defense. Sitting back and

justifying why you hunt is a no-win

battle. Use facts and remain level-headed. ask why a person objects to

hunting or a specific method and put

the ball back in their court. When they

freely object to the death of an animal,

point out that hunters effectively

keep more animals from enduring the

cruel deaths of starvation and disease.

Let their own words shine a light of

ignorance on their viewpoint while you

appear rational to non-hunters.

FOCUS ON FACTS

Exchanging emotional barbs with an

anti-hunter does nothing to further

your standing in the eyes of onlookers.Stick to the facts – hunters, anglers

and trappers contribute to conserva-

tion more than any other single group.

We fully fund 75 percent of all 50

state fish and game agencies, create

billions of dollars in economic impact

for communities and for conservation,

as well as donate millions of dollars

and man-hours of service for on-the-

ground habitat enhancement.


8/12

western officeupdates from california


When Michael Floresand Josh Brones of theSportsmen’s Alliancemet with Gov. Jerry

Brown's office in May, they broughtrepresentatives from a contingency ofgroups from the Al Taucher Conserva-tion Coalition, including CaliforniaWaterfowl, California Deer Associa-tion and the California Farm BureauFederation. The alliance hopes to everso slightly change the politics andpolitical makeup of the California Fish

and Game Commission, which to datehas been languid.“Our meeting with Gov. Brown

went well,” said Flores. “I’m hope-ful that the next two commissionershe appoints will not only let sciencenurture their decisions, but will alsoreflect the diversity of California."

incumbents sit despite lapsed terms» At stake are two commissionerseats currently occupied byindividuals despite their term limitshaving expired. The commissiondevelops the policies and practices

of the California Department of Fishand Wildlife, which obviously impactssportsmen to a great extent.

The Sportsmen’s Alliance has putforward two candidates who woulddiversify the commission and givevoice to the concerns of 1.2 millionhunters, anglers and trappers whofund the state’s conservation ethic.

Desires for dutiful commissioners» “In the end, we just wantcommissioners who will do their duty

of protecting California’s resourcesby asking tough questions and usingscience,” said Flores of the desiredchange. “To date, that hasn’t beenthe case. Too many decisions arepredetermined and are based onemotion and politics."

Sportsmen’s Alliance and atcc Urge gov. brown in Commissioner Selection

governor's Office meets with alliance


9/12

legislative blockstatus of pending laws

Colorado, Montana andTennessee all passedlegislation to increase therecruitment of new hunt-

ers and to ensure the future of ouroutdoor heritage.» All three pieces of legislation weresupported by U.S. Sportsmen’s Allianceunder the Families Afield program,a state legislative effort that createsapprentice hunting opportunities andeliminates barriers faced by newcom-ers interested in hunting.

“The Families Afield program has con-sistently proven to be the most success-ful initiative in terms of recruiting newhunters and stabilizing recent trendsof declining hunter numbers in theUnited States,” said Evan Heusinkveld,vice president of government affairsfor Sportsmen's Alliance. “With Colo-

rado and Montana becoming the 37th

and 38th states to implement the

Families Afield program, and Tennes-

see strengthening its existing program,

we are encouraged and motivated to

continue to take this program to the

states that do not take advantage of

this highly successful recruitment tool.”

ColoradoSenate Bill 226 adds Coloradoto the growing list of states

having passed Families Afieldlegislation. The bill allows huntersat least 10 years of age to huntunder the watchful eye of an adult,licensed mentor. SB 226 cleared itsfinal legislative vote on April 30, andwas signed into law by Gov. JohnHickenlooper on May 22.

MontanaThe Montana legislaturepassed, and Gov. Steve Bullocksigned, legislation that cre-

ates the state’s first-ever youth ap-prentice hunting program under theFamilies Afield concept. Contained inHouse Bill 140, the program allowsnew hunters age 10 to 18 years old totry hunting under the supervision ofan adult mentor prior to completing ahunter-education course.

TennesseeSenate Bill 1237 expanded theexisting apprentice programby increasing the number of

years, from one to three, an individuacan obtain an apprentice license. Theprogram is open to youth and adults.

Trio of states pass laws expanding apprentice hunting licenses

Families Afield Reaches 38th State

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savagearms.com


10/12

The Sportsmen’s Alliance hassigned on as a sponsor of Ja-son Matzinger’s #ProjectElk,a one-hour film scheduled

to air on Sportsman Channel Aug. 15and Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. EST.

#ProjectElk is more than a filmabout a man filling an elk tag. With

six years’ worth of intimate elk foot-age, Matzinger highlights the chal-lenges the animals face during eachof the four seasons, the intimate con-nection of hunter to prey and the roleof sportsmen in wildlife managementand conservation.

“Jason’s vision, storytelling abilityand messaging elevates the genre ofoutdoors television to a new level.One that goes beyond the point of

what it takes to kill an animal, and toa place where non-hunters can beginto understand why hunters do whatthey do,” said Brian Lynn, vice presi-dent of marketing and communica-tions for Sportsmen's Alliance. “Thatplace and those messages, especiallythe role of sportsmen in conservation,

are where the Sportsmen’s Alliancewants to be holding discussions.”

A Montana native, Matzinger is anaward-winning cinematographer,lifelong hunter and former guidewho hosts and produces Into HighCountry on Sportsman Channel. As hisreputation has grown, Matzinger hasbecome passionate about using theexposure to enhance and improve theperception of hunters.

“It is critical not only for the futureof hunting, but for the future ofwilderness access that we broadenour audience and inform them howhunting is critical to conservation.Many do not understand the complexdomino effect that transpires, tak-ing its toll on the land when wildlifenumbers are not managed properly,”

said Matzinger.Those messages and Matzinger’s

talent for capturing the essence of ahunt on film are what attracted USSAto the project.

“Project Elk is not just a film forhunters, it’s a film for everyone. Itis imperative that hunters and thehunting industry work hard to framethe discussion about who we are andthe incredible service we provide forhabitat and wildlife conservation,”said Sportsmen's Alliance President

and CEO, Nick Pinizzotto. “Jason’soutstanding work on this project is agiant step in the right direction.”

“Having the USSA’s support on thisproject is humbling to say the least. Ittakes a certain vision to help see thisgoal through, and the Sportsmen’s

Alliance definitely understands theimportance behind this piece,” saidMatzinger. “I couldn’t have asked fora better partner on this film.”

alliance partners working to support sportsmen

Sportsmen’s Alliance becomes part ofhour-long special documenting the hunt

Supporting Project Elk

into high country

Catch Jason Matzinger's televi-sion series Into High Country on Sportsman Channel every

Saturday at 12 p.m. EST.



11/12


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Non-Proft Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No.183

Columbus, Ohio

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance801 Kingsmill Parkway

Columbus, Ohio 43229-1137

Ph. (614) 888-4868 Fax (614) [email protected]

June 2015

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U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Sportsmen Monthly June 2015