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PROTECT HUNTING
Our hunting tradition and wildlife habitat is under serious threat. Care about the future of our heritage?
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Check out the COHA
Field Wire.
Subscribe to our Field Wire email newsletter and receive immediate updates on issues critical to you and join the COHA Action Team. |
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| Advocating for pro-hunting policy decisions and defeating anti-hunting and overzealous firearms control measures on all political levels. |
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| Organizing and co-sponsoring California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus events. |
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| The efforts and accomplishments of COHA on issues relating to wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage are often chronicled in newspapers, magazines and other print media. Below is a recent and historical archive of accounts of COHA's activities that have been documented in print media. |
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| California Big Game Conservation Takes a Huge Step Forward |
The Mule Deer Magazine: 2011 Convention Issue
By Randy Morrison
Big Game conservation in California got an enormous boost with the passing of SB 1058 this Fall. The landmark legislation was authored by State Senator, Tom Harman (R-Orange), and sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). SB 1058 mandates that all big game tag revenues, be used specifically to benefit those particular species, their habitats, and the hunting public that generates them.
For full article click link below. |
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| Western Outdoor News |
Bill introduced to stiffen penalities for poaching violations.
For full article click attachement below. |
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| New bill seeks increased penalties for poaching |
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A new bill that's been introduced in the state Legislature is taking aim at poachers and attempting to increase the fines and penalties associated with convictions.
North Coast Assemblyman Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata) introduced AB 1162, which he said is mean to protect wildlife and improve hunting in California.
AB 1162 would increase fines to as much as $40,000, along with forfeiture of hunting licenses and seizure of equipment for poachers who intentionally target big game trophy mammals – such as deer, elk, bighorn sheep and antelope – as well as those who use bait or spotlights, take game out of season or wantonly wasting game meat.
Chesbro's office said AB 1162 has received bipartisan support, and is sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, one the state’s largest coalition of hunting and wildlife preservation organizations.
For the rest of the story click below. |
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Lake County News
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| Lame-duck Congress may help delta wildlife |
By Bill Gaines
It is now the season of the duck in more than one way. Congress has returned for a closely watched lame duck session, while hunters are in the middle of the waterfowl season. The two activities may seem very different, but what the Senate does in Washington these coming weeks very much will affect hunters, recreationists, farmers and nature lovers in the Modesto region.
Modesto sits southeast of a delta that is rich with wetlands and agricultural fields. The diversity of ducks, pheasants, quails and doves is important for hunting, and through this support of wildlife, this agricultural production also supports local economies.
We cannot take this for granted. The delta and its agricultural lands once supported a tremendous pheasant population, but now pheasants are under severe stress here and throughout the state.
A key to their survival and the habitat necessary to sustain other game and nongame species is wildlife-friendly farming. Past efforts to provide the funding that keep farmers in business and to provide incentives for wildlife-friendly farming practices has been critical, and central to those efforts has been a little- known tool that is hanging in the balance in Congress — but one of the few pieces of legislation that could pass this lame-duck session.
To read more click below. |
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The Modesto Bee
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| Lame-duck Congress may help delta wildlife |
It is now the season of the duck in more than one way. Congress has returned for a closely watched lame duck session, while hunters are in the middle of the waterfowl season. The two activities may seem very different, but what the Senate does in Washington these coming weeks very much will affect hunters, recreationists, farmers and nature lovers in the Modesto region.
Modesto sits southeast of a delta that is rich with wetlands and agricultural fields. The diversity of ducks, pheasants, quails and doves is important for hunting, and through this support of wildlife, this agricultural production also supports local economies.
We cannot take this for granted. The delta and its agricultural lands once supported a tremendous pheasant population, but now pheasants are under severe stress here and throughout the state.
A key to their survival and the habitat necessary to sustain other game and nongame species is wildlife-friendly farming. Past efforts to provide the funding that keep farmers in business and to provide incentives for wildlife-friendly farming practices has been critical, and central to those efforts has been a little- known tool that is hanging in the balance in Congress — but one of the few pieces of legislation that could pass this lame-duck session.
For the past 45 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided money to federal, state and local agencies working to protect our natural treasures and wildlife habitats — including the delta lands northwest of Modesto. It has helped to restore and enhance wetlands, including more than $15 million for the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes 45,000 acres of wetlands and grasslands and 90,000 acres of conservation easements on private lands in the northern San Joaquin Valley.
This enormous area serves as a route for migrating waterfowl and water birds, providing habitat for the more than a million waterfowl that arrive here each winter, as well as opportunities for thousands of duck hunters. More importantly, it also has provided the resources to allow farmers to stay in business and continue ownership and the working of their lands that wildlife also call home.
The conservation fund is supposed to receive $900 million each year from federal leases from offshore oil and gas production. There's no question that the money is there — energy production has only increased in recent decades — but somehow this conservation program gets shortchanged each year. It fact, it has only received full funding once in its history, and the amount that has been underfunded now totals $16 billion.
That doesn't just affect California's natural beauty and habitats; it's also an economic issue. Each year, outdoor recreation generates $46 billion in revenues in California and supports an estimated 408,000 jobs. And the protection of our forests, watersheds and wetlands helps ensure clean, affordable drinking water, not to mention the prevention of costly, deadly wildfires.
Imagine what we could do for Modesto's economy and our entire nation if this important fund received its full, just due? Imagine the impact on farmers, wildlife, hunters and other nature enthusiasts? Members of the House can — a majority voted to fully fund LWCF, including Rep. Dennis Cardoza. Now its fate lies in the Senate, where full funding is anything but certain.
Fortunately, LWCF has some bipartisan support in an otherwise acrimonious Senate. If they join their colleagues in the House in fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, this duck season — and congressional session — would be anything but lame.
It'd be milestone achievement and the fulfillment of a longstanding promise.
Gaines is president of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance and former director of governmental affairs for the California Waterfowl Association. |
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The Sacramento Bee
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| 4.21.09 Tracking The Capitols |
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For full article click link below. |
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Tracking the Capitols
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| 3.10.09 Tracking The Capitols |
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For full information click below link. |
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Tracking the Capitol
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| Tulare Basin is Latest Addition |
The National Wildlife Refuge
System grew by one this
spring with the acquisition
of conservation easements on 777
acres to create the Tulare Basin
Wildlife Management Area in central
California.
On March 21, perpetual conservation
easements were bought on two tracts
of wetland habitat to create the new
wildlife management area, which
will be administered as part of the
Kern National Wildlife Refuge in the
southern San Joaquin Valley.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
approved the creation of Tulare Basin
Wildlife Management Area in 2007.
Plans call for eventual protection
of 22,000 acres between Kern and
Pixley National Wildlife Refuges.
Ninety percent of the land in the
wildlife management area will be
conserved through the purchase of
easements from willing landowners.
continued on pg 27
For more click file below. |
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| Governor Signs California Legislation to Improve Hunter Recruitment, Revenues |
Sacramento, CA - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 1254, a measure introduced by Assembly Member Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) and sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), which makes several important changes to the Fish and Game Code.
Specifically, AB 1254: 1) authorizes the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to offer special hunting opportunities to qualified hunter education instructors for recruitment and retention purposes; 2) allows DFG to suspend or seek reimbursement of Fish and Game Code violation fine revenue improperly expended by county governments; and 3) allows the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) to adjust its meeting schedule to address funding shortfalls.
California currently suffers from a shortage of hunter education instructors which, in some areas of the State, makes it difficult for individuals to find hunter education classes near their homes or in a timely fashion. AB 1254 will help increase the number of hunter education instructors by requiring DFG to offer special hunting opportunities to qualified individuals.
"I would like to commend COHA for their efforts in getting AB 1254 signed into law," stated Captain Roy Griffith, State Hunter Education Program Administrator. "This is a huge step forward in recognizing the thousands of hours California's volunteer hunter education instructors dedicate each year in passing on our hunting heritage. AB 1254 will assist the DFG's efforts to recruit new instructors which are needed to assure hunter education classes are available in communities throughout California."
"Hunter education instructors are vitally important to hunter recruitment efforts in California. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has long supported hunter education and believes that AB 1254 will ultimately introduce more people to our hunting heritage," stated Joe Pecsi, NWTF California State Chapter President and hunter education instructor since 1976.
Additionally, AB 1254 will greatly enhance DFG's auditing capabilities by providing it with the power to recoup misspent F&G fine revenues. For too long, some county governments have ignored the law and used Fish and Game Code violation monies to support programs unrelated to hunting, fishing and conservation activities.
For more click below. |
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The Outdoor Wire
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| State quietly studying proposal to end hunting ban in game refuges |
By Denis Cuff
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 11/07/2010 01:00:00 AM PDT
Updated: 11/08/2010 12:28:40 PM PST
A century ago, when more families relied on hunting to put meat on the dinner table, it was a bold idea: set aside large swaths of land where killing animals was banned, so that deer and other wildlife could multiply and repopulate.
Now, however, the California Department of Fish and Game says those refuges are a dismal failure, and it's quietly studying a plan that could end the hunting restrictions in 19 refuges across the state.
The refuges cover nearly 1 million acres in 16 counties -- including sections of Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County, Mount Tamalpais in Marin County and parts of the Peninsula in San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
For more click below. |
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Contra Costa Times
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| California Hunting Tag Fee Bill SIgned Into Law |
Sacramento - Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) announced that Senate Bill 1058, a measure to ensure that hunting license tag and stamp funds directly benefit game species and their habitats, has been signed by the Governor. The measure was sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).
"The Governor's signature on Senate Bill 1058 means wildlife and habitat restoration will once again be the priority of hunting tag and stamp fees. That is what those fees are supposed to be used for - not bureaucratic paperwork," said Harman. "I am very pleased my bill has become law."
Current law has allowed hunting tag funds to be used for non-game purposes. SB 1058 protects these funds by requiring that, before any of the hunting tag monies can be expended, hunting-related organizations would have an opportunity to review proposed projects and provide comment to the Department of Fish and Game.
For more click below. |
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The Outdoor Wire
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| COHA-Sponsored Bills Approved by California State Legislature! |
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For full article click on file below. |
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| CA: New Law Prevents Misuse of Hunting Funds |
California state Sen. Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) announced Sept. 29 that Senate Bill 1058, a measure to ensure that hunting license tag and stamp funds directly benefit game species and their habitats, has been signed into law. The measure was sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) and supported by the NRA.
“Senate Bill 1058 means wildlife and habitat restoration will once again be the priority of hunting tag and stamp fees,” said Harman. “That is what those fees are supposed to be used for—not bureaucratic paperwork. I am very pleased my bill has become law.”
Current law has allowed hunting tag funds to be used for non-game purposes. SB 1058 protects these funds by requiring that, before any of the hunting tag monies can be expended, hunting-related organizations would have an opportunity to review proposed projects and provide comment to the Department of Fish and Game. Specifically, SB 1058 will prevent big game tag and upland bird stamp monies from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes.
Combined, these revenues total roughly $11 million dollars each year.
“This much-needed law will ensure accountability and transparency over the state’s use of hunter-generated dollars,” said Mark Hennelly, vice president of COHA.
For more click below. |
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NRAhuntersrights.org
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| California Governor Signs Legislation to Protect Hunting Tag/Stamp Monies |
EDGEFIELD, S.C. —California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Senate Bill 1058 to prevent hunter generated revenues from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes. The measure was authored by Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) and sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).
The bill's approval will annually reallocate an estimated $3.6 million of hunter-generated dollars back to their intended wildlife conservation and hunting related uses.
"These funds were generated by hunters and will be staying where they belong to the benefit of hunters and outdoor enthusiast of all types," said George Thornton, CEO of the NWTF and member of the COHA Board of Directors. "The passage of SB 1058 will substantially enhance the National Wild Turkey Federation's ability to do habitat work in California for wild turkeys and other upland species."
Since the 1980s, in an effort to address budget shortfalls and unfunded mandates in other areas, California has improperly redirected big game tag and upland bird stamp revenues.
Loopholes in state law allowed for a significant portion of deer tag funds and all bear tag monies to be used for non-game purposes, while a large percentage of wild pig tag funds simply remained unspent or were redirected. According to the state's own data from 2006, only 62 percent of deer tag revenue was actually used for deer-related projects. Similarly, only 64 percent of wild pig tag money and 48 percent of wild sheep auction tag money was used for related conservation work.
Under COHA-sponsored SB 1058, state law will now requirethatall user fee revenues generated from bear, elk, wild sheep, antelope, wild pig, deer and upland game bird stamps and tags be used for big game and upland bird conservation, and public hunting purposes. Combined, these revenues total roughly $11 million each year.
For more click below. |
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National Wild Turkey Federation
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| Letter to DFG: Return the money, sportsmen, -women will make up the difference and more |
The following letter was sent by California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) to the Department of Fish and Game, representing dozens of the largest hunting and fishing organizations of California and the United States, asking for the return of money to the anti-hunting, animal-rights group HSUS.
June 23, 2009
Mr. Don Koch, Director
California Department of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: DFG Partnership with HSUS
June 3, 2009 HSUS Press Release
Dear Don:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), and each of our undersigned organizational members, would like to express our serious concerns regarding the Department of Fish and Game’s (Department) decision to enter into a “partnership” with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), as lauded in their press release, dated June 3, 2009. Although each of our organizations strongly support the need to curb illegal poaching in our state, the full ramifications of who we partner with to achieve this goal must also be considered. Not only do we believe it was a poor decision for the Department to partner with, and highly promote the contribution of the HSUS to this effort, it was offensive to those organizations and individuals who have long supported the Department’s funding and programs in many ways.
COHA and our membership understand the value of building unique partnerships to achieve our mutual goals. COHA staff has long had a close and productive working relationship with organizations such as the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy and many more. These environmental organizations recognize the value of hunting, its place in science-based wildlife management, the important annual funding it generates for resource conservation, and the tremendous incentive it provides to private landowners to manage their lands to provide habitat for game and non-game species alike.
HSUS, however, has little or no track record of supporting habitat conservation and science-based resource decisions. Rather, HSUS is an animal-rights organization that pursues many of the same goals as PETA and other radical groups — including the elimination of hunting in California and throughout the nation. The Humane Society of the United States is a “humane society” in name only and has little to do with local animal shelters. Yet, through this name association and emotionally appealing marketing, HSUS has reportedly become the wealthiest animal-rights organization in the world. Although better funded than any other animal-related organization, HSUS has done little to enhance the fish and wildlife resources we all care so deeply about.
COHA staff, and our member organizations, have advocated for years on behalf of the Department for annual program funding and warden salaries. This Legislative Session alone, we have spent many staff hours fighting for Department budgets, including our efforts to address a proposed $30 million transfer from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund to non-fish and game related purposes. As you are well aware, the Department must support the Governor’s proposed budget and cannot ostensibly contribute to these efforts. So most often, COHA staff and our allied conservation partners are alone at the podium and in the halls advocating for increased Department funding. To our knowledge, HSUS rarely, if ever, contributes to these efforts.
Those who support COHA’s member organizations also generate tens of millions of dollars each year in Department funding by way of their purchase of hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and tags. In addition, they annually provide millions in additional funding to the Department and other state wildlife agencies through their purchase of sporting arms, ammunition and related items via the tax revenues generated pursuant to the federal Pittman-Robertson Act. In addition, they generate even more funding to support the Department’s mission via the many fundraising dinners and related events sponsored by our member groups.
The below listed organizations and their members have long worked hard to support the Department and its wardens financially, as well as to reduce illegal activities in the field. In addition, they often generously spend out of their own pockets to conserve and enhance habitat for both game and non-game species. By far and away, the efforts of the hunting community have been overwhelmingly positive to the Department and our natural resources. Knowing this, it is unfortunate that so much of the Department outreach has dealt with poaching incidents. The resulting steady diet of negative media coverage has, unfortunately, helped foster a poor opinion of hunting by a large portion of the California public, and somewhat diminished the positive work of the Department’s dedicated professional habitat and wildlife management staff. This negative public sentiment, in turn, translates to the difficult battles COHA and our partners must fight in the halls of the Capitol and beyond to protect our outdoor traditions and the critical annual funding streams they provide to all facets of the Department.
HSUS has in no way earned the right of partnership in preserving the future of our hunting heritage and the vital funding streams it generates for the Department, its wardens, and our fish and wildlife resources. In fact, a large portion of HSUS’s mission is in direct conflict with the Department’s stated goal of promoting recreational use and science-based management of our natural resources. It is a shame that with such a very small contribution to CalTIP and warden canines, HSUS managed to persuade the Department to help substantially promote their organization and animal-rights agenda.
The Department’s proposed “lasting partnership” with HSUS to combat poaching threatens many other productive and time-honored partnerships that your agency has with hunting and wildlife conservation organizations and their membership. We urge you to reassess your relationship with HSUS, consider returning their contribution, and approach your traditional partners who would be pleased to assist you with CalTIP reward funding and food and veterinary care for your warden canines.
On behalf of the below listed organizations,
Bill Gaines, President
California Outdoor Heritage Alliance
California Waterfowl
Association
Delta Waterfowl
California State Chapter,
National Wild Turkey
Federation
Mule Deer Foundation
California Deer Association
California Houndsmen for
Conservation
National Open Field Coursers
Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation
Wilderness Unlimited
Wilderness Unlimited
Foundation
Kids Outdoor Sporting Camp
Sportsmen in Labor Coalition
Golden Ram Inc.
Suisun Resource Conservation
District
U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
Mendocino County Blacktail
Association
Garcia’s Hunting Preserve
Black Points Sports Club
California Hawking Club
Red Bank Outfitters
Westervelt Ecological Service
California Bowmen
Hunters/State Archery
Association
California Retriever Training
Association
Lower Sherman Island Duck
Hunters Association
Sportsmen’s Council of Central
California
Golden Gate Chapter, Safari
Club International
Pheasants Forever, Yolo County
Chapter
Northern San Joaquin Chapter,
Safari Club International
The Black Brant Group
Tulare Basin Wetlands
Association
California Chapter, North
American Wild Sheep
Foundation |
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Western Outdoor News
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| BREAKING LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS! - Harman bill passed |
SACRAMENTO— Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2376 into law this past week, beginning the task of taking a new look at how best to re-organize the California Department of Fish and Game, and the California Fish and Game Commission, if at all.
In it's first draft, AB 2376, completely left California sportsmen and women out of the process, leading many to think that the bill would be a re-play of the Marine Life Protection Act that is currently being forced through without consideration of any public input.
But that was exactly what prompted California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) to take action.
"Sportsmen didn't even have a seat at the advisory table," said Jason Rhine, Director of Advocacy for the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). "Even the 'use and benefit' of state citizens was left out. COHA immediately requested that the bill be amended to accurately state DFG's mission and require the Blue Ribbon Citizen Task Force to include “seats at the table” for recreational fishing, hunting and commercial interests.
For more click below. |
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Western Outdoor News
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| WON STAFF ON THE SPOT: HUNTERS show strong support for COHA |
CORONA — More than 50 wing shooters showed up at Raahauge's Pheasant Club last week to show their support for the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance organization, which is a union of conservation organizations, the outdoor industry and individuals who support wildlife conservation and the preservation of our hunting heritage.
Tony Hendy, manager of Raahauge's Pheasant Club, gathered the hunters together in the parking lot of Raahauge's Shooting Enterprise to go over safety in-the-field instructions and assign groups of hunters to each field. Gretchen Heffler then stepped up to thank hunters for showing up so early in the upland game bird season and also talked a little about the success that COHA has had in getting important bills signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
For more click below. |
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Western Outdoor News
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| LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:Audubon joins with HSUS to ban lead shot on state wildlife areas, and more… |
SB 1058 — Expenditure of Big Game Tag and Upland Game Stamp Revenues; Senator Tom Harman (R-Orange) has introduced SB 1058, COHA-sponsored legislation which would prevent big game tag and upland bird stamp monies from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes. A similar COHA-sponsored bill, SB 589, was vetoed by the Governor last year.
SB 1058 would mandate that all deer, elk, wild pig, antelope, bighorn sheep and bear tag revenues and upland game bird stamp monies be used to benefit those particular species, their habitats, and the users that generate them. It would also provide much-needed opportunity for sportsman’s groups to review and provide comment on proposed expenditures of the funds.
Beginning in the 1980s, a portion of hunting license tag/stamp monies were redirected away from game species conservation to other purposes. Loopholes in state law also currently allow for a significant portion of deer tag monies and all bear tag monies to be used for non-game purposes, while a large percentage of pig tag funds have also remained unspent or been redirected in recent years.
For more click below. |
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Western Outdoor News
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| CA LEGISLATURE forms animal rights caucus! |
SACRAMENTO — The California State Legislature has formed the first-ever Caucus formed solely to push an animal rights agenda, pressured by the Humane Society of the United States.
In a move that further validates California as the front line in the nationwide fight to protect the future of hunting, the California State Legislature has laid claim to the first ever Caucus formed solely to push an animal rights agenda.
According to a press release issued by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the new “Animal Protection Caucus” — co-chaired by Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter), Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks), Assembly Member Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita), and Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) — will serve to highlight important issues affecting animals and to educate legislators and their staff on the need for “sensible” animal protection legislation.
This bold move by certain members of the California Legislature and the animal rights community clearly demonstrates their focus on California and their increased priority of passing legislation in our state that directly challenges Californians freedom to hunt.
For more click below. |
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Western Outdoor News
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| NEW LAWS impact Cal. hunters |
SACRAMENTO — As of Jan. 1, several new laws sponsored or supported by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) have gone into effect which will benefit hunters and provide more hunting opportunity in the field.
First, penalties for hunter harassment have appropriately been increased to a possible misdemeanor on the first offense, while field trials and related hunting dog training are now legally protected activities.
Also, commercial hunting club license fees imposed by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) have been substantially reduced, with most hunting clubs seeing their annual fees cut nearly in half.
For more click below. |
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Western Outdoor News
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| LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:Audubon joins with HSUS to ban lead shot on state wildlife areas, and more… |
SB 1058 — Expenditure of Big Game Tag and Upland Game Stamp Revenues; Senator Tom Harman (R-Orange) has introduced SB 1058, COHA-sponsored legislation which would prevent big game tag and upland bird stamp monies from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes. A similar COHA-sponsored bill, SB 589, was vetoed by the Governor last year.
SB 1058 would mandate that all deer, elk, wild pig, antelope, bighorn sheep and bear tag revenues and upland game bird stamp monies be used to benefit those particular species, their habitats, and the users that generate them. It would also provide much-needed opportunity for sportsman’s groups to review and provide comment on proposed expenditures of the funds.
For more click link below. |
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Western Outdoor News
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| LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT |
SACRAMENT0 —The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is asking California hunters, as well as our 40-plus member organizations, to contact the Governor’s office as soon as possible in support of three separate pieces of positive state legislation.
The following COHA-sponsored bills received broad bipartisan support within the State Legislature, and are currently awaiting consideration by Governor Schwarzenegger:
SB 1058 (Harman) would provide accountability and transparency over the expenditure of hunting license tag/stamp revenues to help ensure that the funds are used for game species conservation and public hunting purposes. The bill would create a single, consolidated fiscal account for all big game tag funds, create an advisory committee of sportsmen’s groups to review and provide comment on proposed expenditures of hunting license tag/stamp monies and facilitate greater nonprofit assistance with related conservation projects. For a sample letter, go to: actionteam@outdoorheritage.org.
For more click below. |
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Western Outdoor News
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| BREAKING LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS! - Harman bill passed |
SACRAMENTO— Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2376 into law this past week, beginning the task of taking a new look at how best to re-organize the California Department of Fish and Game, and the California Fish and Game Commission, if at all.
In it's first draft, AB 2376, completely left California sportsmen and women out of the process, leading many to think that the bill would be a re-play of the Marine Life Protection Act that is currently being forced through without consideration of any public input.
But that was exactly what prompted California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) to take action.
For more click below. |
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Western Outdoor news
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| NWTF Newletter July 1, 2010 |
News from the Roost:
In this issue:
Thornton to Lend Leadership to California Conservation Group. Click below for more. |
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| California Wildlife Organization Strengthens National Leadership |
Leading Outdoor Organizations/Industry Join COHA Board of Directors
Sacramento – The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) further established itself as a leading advocacy organization for the future of our hunting heritage with the addition of four leaders of our nation’s outdoor industry to their Board of Directors. The slate of new Directors was officially approved in front of a packed house at the annual "Meeting of the COHA Members" held recently at the Black Point Sports Club in Petaluma. Joining the COHA Board of Directors is:
S. David Allen - President and CEO, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), a national conservation organization with more than 150,000 members supporting over 550 chapters nationwide. Organized in 1984, RMEF has influenced the protection and improvement of more than 5.7 million acres of habitat;
George C. Thornton - President and CEO, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), an internationally recognized conservation organization with 350,000 members and 2,300 chapters nationwide, as well as international chapters in Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1973, NWTF has raised and spent more than $306 million since its inception to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife;
Chris Dorsey – President/Executive Producer, Orion Multimedia, the international leader of outdoor adventure programming, Chris Dorsey has created more than 35 television series in the last decade and currently produces 32 series on five networks that have won scores of the industry’s most prestigious awards;
Gene Lumsden - President and CEO, Turner’s Outdoorsman and Legacy Sports International. Turner’s Outdoorsman serves as the West Coast’s premier hunting, fishing and shooting outlet, operating 13 stores in Southern California. Legacy Sports International is one of the most trusted names in the shooting industry. A skilled marksman, Mr. Lumsden is also in the California Trapshooting Hall of Fame.
In taking a seat on the COHA Board, these gentlemen have joined ranks with the leaders of three other major wildlife conservation organizations who already serve as COHA Directors - Rob Olson, President of Delta Waterfowl, and Miles Moretti, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. California Waterfowl, the organization which created COHA in 2006, also has its leaders on the COHA Board.
“We are honored to have these individuals – leaders of our nation’s finest outdoor organizations and industry – willing to dedicate their own personal time to help lead the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance,” stated Bill Gaines, President of COHA. “These gentlemen fully recognize the significant national impact of political decisions made in California, the unprecedented political partnership we have formed, and the impact our Alliance is having – on our nation’s toughest political playing field. We are pleased to have them working with our Alliance to address the very serious challenges we face."
Electing to personally serve on the Board, incoming member David Allen, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation commented “California faces many unprecedented challenges in protecting our members’ ability to maintain a connection with our natural resources. COHA is the right organization at the right time to face those challenges. We are honored to join the Alliance and work to maintain our ability to recreate in the great outdoors.”
Also choosing to personally represent the National Wild Turkey Federation on the COHA Board, George Thornton, NWTF President and CEO, stated “NWTF is pleased to align with COHA and add to the collective voice of hunting heritage and conservation. We believe that our voices must be fully united to be heard as our traditional rights are being challenged on many fronts. We look forward to joining COHA and its aligned membership in the public debate. The success of this Alliance is integral to the future of conservation, our heritage and NWTF’s mission accomplishment.”
Chris Dorsey, President/Executive Producer of Orion Multimedia agreed. “No one knows more about the threats posed to hunters and gun owners across America than California sportsmen,” said Dorsey. “COHA is on the front lines of pioneering successful models to answer these threats. Make no mistake; those threats will likely be coming to your state sooner than you think. That’s why the time to engage with COHA in California is now.”
Gene Lumsden, President and CEO of Southern California’s largest sporting goods outlet, Turner’s Outdoorsmen, stated “I am pleased to part of the COHA. The time is now to stand united for the rights of all hunters and sportsmen and women throughout the State of California. Uniting under COHA is critical to our ability to effectively protect our heritage for future generations.”
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c)4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active in all political arenas where decisions are made which may impact science-based wildlife management, habitat conservation, hunting opportunity and the purchase and possession of sporting arms and munitions. COHA currently represents the political interests of over forty organizations and outdoor industry – including nearly every major wildlife conservation organization. For more information on COHA's membership and efforts visit www.outdoorheritage.org
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| Support Pro-Hunting Bills |
Write to our Governor Today
Two California Waterfowl supported pro-hunting bills have passed out of the State Legislature and are now on the Governor's desk for his consideration. We are asking all of our members to take action by submitting a support letter to the Governor for each of the following bills. |
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| NSSF Bullet Points |
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TWO PRO-HUNTING BILLS IN CALIFORNIA . . . There are a couple of positive pro-hunting bills that will be on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk for his consideration. For more information click below. |
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| MDF Magazine July/Aug 2009 |
MDF Takes a Bold Stand on California's Wildlife and Sportsmen Issues
MDF contributes $15,000 to the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance. by Rich Fletcher |
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| Lead Shot Use Okay for Upland in Condor Zone |
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Western Outdoor News - August 21, 2009 - Page 2 and 30. |
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| Gretchen Heffler Joins COHA as Director of Development for Southern California |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – August 3, 2009 – The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is pleased to announce the addition of Gretchen Heffler as the Director of Development for Southern California.
“Gretchen Heffler has been involved in the promotion of wildlife conservation and the protection of our hunting heritage in Southern California for the nearly a decade," said COHA President, Bill Gaines. "She not only has shown a commitment to these resources and traditions, she understands the tremendous political threats they currently face in our state. Her proven dedication to the future of our outdoor heritage is well known in the Southern California by those who treasure the majesty of being on the mountain or in the marsh at daybreak and seeing the world come alive. We are honored to welcome her to COHA."
Gretchen will continue her fundraising and leadership in Southern California’s conservation community, and help COHA build volunteer infrastructure for the next generation of conservationists.
"COHA has made tremendous strides in building alliances with organizations, outdoor industry and individuals who care deeply about wildlife conservation and our ability to hunt in California. However, those that oppose these traditions are more organized and better funded than ever, and are actively trying to chip away at these rights. From ammunition to hunting dogs, they view California as the most fertile ground for launching an anti-hunting agenda that would quickly sweep the nation. COHA must stand tall in California for the sake of outdoorsmen and women throughout the nation,” said Gretchen.
Gretchen joins COHA after previously serving with Ducks Unlimited, where she led the development efforts in Southern California and Arizona since 2001. Prior to joining Ducks Unlimited, Gretchen was employed by MSGI Direct, marketing Capital Campaign fundraising programs. Gretchen also worked as Director of Marketing and Sales for two international performance tour companies (music festival and event production) and spent 10 years at the University of Southern California as the Assistant Director of Direct Marketing. During her tenure, she produced both telemarketing and direct mail annual giving programs.
Born in Ventura, California, Gretchen has a BS and an MPA in Public Administration with an Emphasis in Systems Management, Statistical Analysis and Labor Relations from the University of Southern California.
Gretchen enjoys fishing, hunting and music. Gretchen played with the U.S.C. Trojan Marching Band and currently plays with the Pommerado Community Band. |
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| COHA/CHC Joint Fundraiser |
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COHA and the California Houndsmen for Conservation joint fundraising dinner August 1st, Thornton California. Click below for more informaiton. |
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COHA Press Release COHA/CHC Joint Fundraiser
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| Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) President and CEO, Miles Moretti, joined the COHA Board of Directors |
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) took another step forward in its efforts to unite the political voice of California's wildlife conservation interests recently when the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) President and CEO, Miles Moretti, joined the COHA Board of Directors. Mr. Moretti was officially approved as a member of the COHA Board at the annual "Meeting of the COHA Members" held in late April at the Quail Point Hunt Club in Zamora. In taking a seat on the COHA Board of Directors, Mr. Moretti and MDF have joined ranks with top management representatives of three other leading wildlife conservation organizations who also serve on the Board -- including the President of Delta Waterfowl, Rob Olson, National Wild Turkey Federation Board Member and Treasurer, Vince Rosdahl, and California Waterfowl Association Board Members Jim Waters, Yancey Forest-Knowles and Mike Eberhard.
Outdoor Wire New Release |
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