Post by Bobcat on Jan 25, 2004 22:30:43 GMT -5
Texas treats its hunters better than many other states
By Bob Hood
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Many Texas hunters might be surprised how well off they are, especially compared to hunters in several other states.
Many hunters outside Texas have found their hunting is limited or seriously challenged to the point that it often takes court or legislative action to support their rights.
Several recent events around the country provide a glimpse of what other hunters have been facing.
• Dove hunting, for example, is a big thing in Texas and several other states, where opening-day rivals the opening of deer season in numbers of hunters afield. Michigan hunters, however, are awaiting their first dove season. A bill recently approved by Michigan's House of Representatives would make Michigan the 40th state to allow mourning dove hunting. The bill, which drew a rally of more than 600 people at the state capitol, has gone to the state's senate.
• Wisconsin had its first dove hunt last fall, but a lawsuit to outlaw dove hunting is now before the state's supreme court. Before last fall's hunt took place, a lower court blocked the fall hunt but an appellate court reversed the decision. Now, a new lawsuit has been filed, and it's up to the state supreme court to decide if Wisconsin hunters will hunt doves this fall.
• In New Jersey, the state game and fish department approved the first black bear hunt in 30 years to address growing concerns about an increase in bear populations, concerns that were heightened by two bear attacks last year. Several suits tried to block the hunt, but recent state and federal rulings upheld the hunt, which will be allowed on state park and forest lands.
• In Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney signed a bill in October that re-directed that state's 2003 hunting and fishing license fees from the state's general fund to wildlife conservation programs, where it belongs. The move also preserved a reported $4.7 million in federal matching funds for Massachusetts wildlife programs.
• New Hampshire's House of Representatives is considering a bill that would put more teeth in that state's hunter harassment laws. Current New Hampshire hunter harassment laws apply only to public land.
• Also in Michigan, hunters may now hunt on Sundays throughout the state, thanks to two bills signed recently by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, including one that repeals several local ordinances that ban Sunday hunting on private land in some counties.
By Bob Hood
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Many Texas hunters might be surprised how well off they are, especially compared to hunters in several other states.
Many hunters outside Texas have found their hunting is limited or seriously challenged to the point that it often takes court or legislative action to support their rights.
Several recent events around the country provide a glimpse of what other hunters have been facing.
• Dove hunting, for example, is a big thing in Texas and several other states, where opening-day rivals the opening of deer season in numbers of hunters afield. Michigan hunters, however, are awaiting their first dove season. A bill recently approved by Michigan's House of Representatives would make Michigan the 40th state to allow mourning dove hunting. The bill, which drew a rally of more than 600 people at the state capitol, has gone to the state's senate.
• Wisconsin had its first dove hunt last fall, but a lawsuit to outlaw dove hunting is now before the state's supreme court. Before last fall's hunt took place, a lower court blocked the fall hunt but an appellate court reversed the decision. Now, a new lawsuit has been filed, and it's up to the state supreme court to decide if Wisconsin hunters will hunt doves this fall.
• In New Jersey, the state game and fish department approved the first black bear hunt in 30 years to address growing concerns about an increase in bear populations, concerns that were heightened by two bear attacks last year. Several suits tried to block the hunt, but recent state and federal rulings upheld the hunt, which will be allowed on state park and forest lands.
• In Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney signed a bill in October that re-directed that state's 2003 hunting and fishing license fees from the state's general fund to wildlife conservation programs, where it belongs. The move also preserved a reported $4.7 million in federal matching funds for Massachusetts wildlife programs.
• New Hampshire's House of Representatives is considering a bill that would put more teeth in that state's hunter harassment laws. Current New Hampshire hunter harassment laws apply only to public land.
• Also in Michigan, hunters may now hunt on Sundays throughout the state, thanks to two bills signed recently by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, including one that repeals several local ordinances that ban Sunday hunting on private land in some counties.
