JAN, 2012 "In The Crosshairs"
SCI has received advanced notice that tomorrow, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will publish the Final Rule removing
the permit exemptions for U.S. captive-bred Scimitar-Horned Oryx,
Addax, and Dama Gazelle in the Federal Register. The
Final Rule will not go into effect until April 4, 2012, which is 90
days following publication. Until that date, the
existing permit exemptions applicable for these animals remain in
effect. Once the rule becomes effective, the take; export or
re-import; delivery, receipt, carrying, transport or shipment in
interstate or foreign commerce in the course of a commercial
activity; and sale or offer for sale in interstate or foreign
commerce will require permit authority. Owners and/or hunters
can obtain that authority from the FWS either via individual
Endangered Species Act enhancement of survival permits pursuant to
50 C.F.R. 17.21(g) or through participation in the Captive Bred
Wildlife Registration program pursuant to 10 C.F.R.17.22.
To assist SCI members in preparing for this change in
regulation, SCI has invited Rowan Gould, Deputy Director of
Operations for the FWS, to attend SCI’s 40th Annual
Hunters’ Convention in Las Vegas, NV in order to educate our members
about the new requirements and explain how private ranchers can
continue to trade and offer hunts for these animals under the new
regulatory scheme. Stay tuned to Crosshairs for a listing of
the dates and times for these sessions.
SCI continues its fight against these unnecessary
regulatory restrictions. SCI is currently in litigation
against the FWS in a challenge to the agency’s decision to list U.S.
captive members of these species as “endangered.” If not for
their endangered classification, permits and regulatory restrictions
would be unnecessary.
If you would like to help SCI defend sound conservation and
oppose radical animal rights and anti-hunting groups please consider
donating to the SCI's Hunter Defense Fund by
clicking Here.
Contributions to the Hunter Defense Fund go
directly to SCI’s litigation and legislative efforts to Protect the
Freedom to Hunt!
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