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Speakout: Access key to wilderness opposition

Chris W. Cox

Published November 17, 2006 at midnight

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Ed Dentry's Nov. 7 column in the Rocky Mountain News ("NRA alienates hunters with latest positions," Sports) accuses the National Rifle Association of alienating hunters through its opposition to a bill in Congress that proposes wilderness status for 20,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management property east of the Arkansas River above Browns Canyon near Salida. That's an absolutely false assertion.

To keep our hunting legacy alive we need: places to hunt, well-managed wildlife resources, the tools with which to hunt and people to participate. Regrettably, these elements are diminishing every day in America. As the world's largest hunting organization, the National Rifle Association works tirelessly to preserve and enhance these vital elements.

Over the years, the NRA has worked on numerous pro-hunting bills at the local, state and federal levels, including passing legislation such as "No-Net-Loss of Public Hunting Lands," state constitutional amendments protecting the "Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap," anti-hunter harassment laws and re-instituting dove and bear hunting seasons in states that previously banned them.

The NRA also joins with sportsmen and conservation organizations in support of important efforts such as the Conservation Reserve Program that significantly expands habitat conservation. The reserve program offers incentives to farmers and other landowners to keep some of their land in its natural state, thereby providing critical habitat to benefit game species as well as expand opportunities for hunters. Additionally, the NRA joined forces with other sportsmen's groups to oppose the federal sale of public lands in the administration's proposed FY 2007 Budget, and is leading the fight in states like Missouri to protect critical hunting habitat from development.

Dentry also mentions a shady organization called the American Hunters and Shooters Association. It is true that NRA and AHSA are not natural allies as AHSA President Ray Schoenke and Executive Director Bob Ricker are gun-control advocates and major contributors to Handgun Control Inc. But what every hunter needs to know is that Schoenke regularly contributes to Sens. Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein and Edward Kennedy, politicians who work with extremist anti-hunting groups that detest our hunting heritage. How can you claim you're pro-hunting when you support politicians who are anti-hunting?

Here is why the NRA opposed the wilderness designation: Nationally, for every 100 hunters lost, only 69 replace them. NRA has led the way to establish mentored hunting programs and supports lowering minimum-age requirements to encourage new hunters and draw more youth to safely experience our hunting heritage.

But many hunters are getting older, and they must not be forced to give up hunting because of age. Likewise, hunters with disabilities should be given equal opportunity to hunt on America's public lands. It is wrong for the elderly or disabled to be denied equal access or opportunity. Their access to hunting land should not be treated any differently.

NRA wants all hunters - rich or poor, fit or disabled - to have equal access to hunt on America's public lands. While some hunters have the time and money to hike two days and hunt for a week before having to return home, the reality is that most do not.

Senate Bill 1971 will permanently close Forest Service Road 184, the Nathrop-to-Turret road that bisects the land now being considered for wilderness designation. FS 184 is vital for access to thousands of acres of public hunting lands, because roads on the periphery are often inaccessible during hunting season due to accumulations of snow and ice.

To be perfectly clear, the NRA is not advocating reopening any roads currently closed or building any new roads. FS 184 is currently an open road and it is best for all parties concerned if it remain open.

Unlike fly-by-night groups like the AHSA, which have accomplished nothing in their short history, the NRA continues to lead the way in protecting not only the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, but also our long-standing hunting heritage.

Anyone who argues differently doesn't have their facts straight.

Chris W. Cox is the executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action in Fairfax, Va.

Comments

  • October 29, 2008

    4:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Barb writes:

    In your view, are there any "non-extreme" anti-hunting groups? I would imagine they all seem "extreme" to hunters.