February 26, 2010 "In The Crosshairs"

In The Crosshairs Newsletter

February 26, 2010

SCI Lion
Federal Racketeering Lawsuit Stuns HSUS


Feld Entertainment, owners of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, have sued the Humane Society of the United States.  Feld’s suit is based on court documents that demonstrate HSUS paid a former Feld employee over $190,000 to be a key witness against Feld Entertainment. http://bit.ly/9pInhZ

SCI Lion
Kenyan Wildlife Populations Dropping At “Alarming Rate”


An article this week posted to the online website AllAfrica.com talks about the recent declines in Kenya’s wildlife, especially those of carnivores. As nearly all SCI members know, Kenya banned hunting in the 1970s. Since that time, Kenya’s wildlife population numbers have been in decline, whereas in the neighboring United Republic of Tanzania, who practices sustainable use through hunting, wildlife populations have increased over the same time period. http://bit.ly/cvQJ6U

SCI Lion
New Firearms Law Takes Effect


WASHINGTON – A change in federal law effective Monday, Feb. 22, allows firearms in many national parks. People who can legally possess firearms under federal and state law now can possess those firearms in the national parks in that state. The new law (Sec. 512 of P.L. 111-24) was passed by Congress and signed last May by the President. State and local firearms laws vary. Visitors who would like to bring a firearm with them to a national park need to understand and comply with the applicable laws. More than 30 national parks are located in more than one state, so visitors need to know where they are in those parks and which state’s law applies. http://bit.ly/c2sYwq

SCI Lion
Targeting New Monument Designations


House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA-04); National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Ranking Member Rob Bishop (UT-01); and 14 Members of Congress sent a letter today to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar requesting further information related to an internal DOI document that revealed the Administration is considering designating numerous new National Monuments that would lock up at least 13 million acres of land.  Secretary Salazar has publicly said that there is “no secret agenda” and wants to have a “public dialogue.” Therefore, the Department should be willing to answer questions regarding the exact undertakings and status of the potential Monument designations, as well as what outside group and individuals have been involved in the secret planning. http://bit.ly/ci6b9R

SCI Lion
SCI Statement On The Passing Of Fish & Wildlife Director Sam Hamilton


Washington, DC - Safari Club International released the following statement on the passing of Sam Hamilton, the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service:

"Safari Club International and our members are saddened by the passing of US Fish and Wildlife Director Sam Hamilton.  A dedicated Fish and Wildlife Service employee for more than 30 years, Hamilton was a true champion for America's public lands, the ideal that conservation must be driven by sound science and our wildlife habitat. His efforts and contributions will surely be missed in the hunting and conservation community."  http://bit.ly/a7Mjw4