NRA Urges Voters to Protect Sportsmen’s Rights

(Fairfax, VA) – Anti-hunting extremists, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), submitted signatures to place an anti-dove hunting referendum on the November 2006 Michigan ballot.  Last year, the National Rifle Association (NRA), America’s leading sportsmen’s group, worked with key lawmakers to legalize dove hunting in Michigan.  NRA is now calling on Michiganders to vote against this referendum that would reverse the 2004 law and permanently ban dove hunting.

“Whether it is mourning doves in Michigan or black bears in Maryland, the well-funded anti-hunting groups want to incrementally ban all hunting - one animal at a time,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist.  “We must band together to protect our cherished heritage.  Talk to your fellow hunters and sportsmen and make sure they know how important defeating this ballot measure is to the future of hunting.” 

In previous anti-hunting campaigns, HSUS used paid signature gatherers to qualify issues for the ballot.  This scheme reveals their false claim that the anti-dove hunt campaign is a grassroots effort.  Still, the danger animal rights extremists pose to hunting is real.

“This is a sad day for hunters in Michigan, and a telling event for hunters and sportsmen across the United States,” Cox added.  “We can be sure that if HSUS successfully ends dove hunting in Michigan, they will push to end all forms of hunting in America.  To protect our rich hunting heritage, all hunters and sportsmen must be active in protecting this law.”

The mourning dove is America’s most popular and abundant game bird.  Forty-one states currently have a dove hunting season. 

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The National Rifle Association is the nation’s leader in protecting the right to hunt for all law-abiding Americans.  Along with approximately 17 million American hunters and many national conservation organizations, NRA is working to preserve the American hunting tradition for future generations.  Hunters and sportsmen play a pivotal role in America’s economy and society, and have been leaders in promoting wildlife management and conservation.  Since 1939, hunters and shooters have paid over $4 billion in excise taxes on sporting equipment.  Hunters and fishermen fund nearly 75% of the annual income for all 50 state conservation agencies.  And, hunters contribute $21 billion to the American economy each year.