HR701: What it is, and what it means to Hunting Dog Owners

The legitimate concern over some animal welfare circumstances has been distorted by a few for their own purposes. This has the unfortunate attendant effect of misleading much of the general public. By and large groups such as the Humane Society of the US (HSUS), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and their allies attribute "rights" to all animals which approach those associated with human beings.

The animal rights (AR) groups that feel animals shouldn't be hunted or killed also object to pet and animal ownership too: no dogs, no horses and no cats. Unfortunately, the hunting dog owner is an easy, attractive target. The animals rights, anti-hunting activists see us as the most vulnerable, visible segment in the sporting world. If they can stop us from hunting, they feel they've not only saved a bird, rabbit or a deer, they have likely "liberated" a dog.

Much of the AR attack has been aimed at hunting dog use on public game lands, specifically those funded by the Pittman-Robertson Act firearm and ammunition sales excise tax. Sportsmen's efforts to repulse these attacks are currently centered on a bill before the U.S. House of Representatives, HR701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (CARA). It's important that Virginia hunting dog owners understand the purpose of HR701 and ask their representatives to support this legislation.

HR701 is a large, complex funding bill, but its most important feature is its Title III that provides a new funding source for American wildlife restoration and habitat improvement, while simultaneously protecting hunting dog sportsmen. Title III diverts $350 million annually for ten years from federal royalty oil revenues to state fish and game departments. Currently sportsmen's excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment purchases amount to ~$430 million per year.

After being stalled in the Senate last fall, the heart of HR701's Title III was passed as a single year, abbreviated $50 million program. Virginia's share was $1 million. This year HR701's supporters are attempting to fully fund the original program, from which Virginia's wildlife share would be $7.6 million per year.

In a landmark decision, HR701's authors a year ago included the term "field trialing" along with "hunting and fishing" in a key Title III definition of the Pittman-Robertson program's 'wildlife-associated recreation.' This critical statutory recognition serves to answer the AR attacks against hunting dog use on state game lands. It's imperative that the expanded HR701 be passed this session so that our hard won gains are protected and perpetuated.

Last year all but a few Virginia legislators supported HR701. This identical bill passed the House by a vote of 315-102. The only Virginians that voted against HR701 a year ago were Messrs. Bliley, Goode, Goodlatte and Wolf. Rep. Bateman, Boucher, Tom Davis, Moran, Pickett, Scott, Sisisky and Senators Warner and Robb all supported HR701.

Action Requested: You must communicate with your Congressman, asking him to cosponsor HR701. Currently, only Rick Boucher (D-9) is a listed cosponsor and HR701 had 315 such commitments when it came to a floor vote in 2000. A similar show of strength is needed again. Your message needn't be sophisticated or involved. A simple "I live in your district, support hunters' rights and would like you to cosponsor HR701" will suffice.

Contact details are below. Considerable HR701 background and supporting information may be found at http://www.radiks.net/~swagle/dogowners_vs_usfws.html and at http://www.teaming.com/.

Constituents of Rep. Goode, Goodlatte and Wolf should take pains to explain their support for this bill to their legislators, as these three men belong to the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, a group normally sympathetic to hunting and fishing interests. Mrs. Davis and Messrs. Cantor and Shrock are first year representatives; they need to be encouraged and informed about sportsman's issues and HR701.

Together, we can make a difference in advancing and protecting the Old Dominion's hunting traditions, both in Washington and in Richmond.