Post by Woody Williams on Aug 29, 2005 14:49:15 GMT -5
SCI Denies Any Connection to Law Suit
Tucson, Ariz., Aug. 29, 2005 -- SCI today denied any connection with a lawsuit filed in Harrison County Circuit Court on Aug. 24, 2005 that seeks to challenge an emergency ruling by Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Kyle Hupfer concerning the issue of high fenced hunting in that state.
“While SCI does support the concept of hunting wild game behind private high-fence operations as long as it adheres to ethical hunting practices such as fair chase, the organization is in no way involved with this lawsuit, nor does it hold any position on this matter,” said SCI Executive Director Tom Riley. “It is unfortunate and inaccurate that SCI has been named by the suit’s originators and the news media as a supporter.”
In fact, SCI’s Central Indiana Chapter, SCI Members and other organizations have worked closely with Director Hupfer in creating Indiana’s First Annual Take a Kid Hunting Day, a grassroots effort meant to introduce youth to outdoor sportsmanship scheduled to take place Sept. 17, 2005.
Riley continued, “SCI hopes that this will clear up any misinformation currently in the public eye.”
SCI’s official policy concerning hunting behind high fences is as follows:
SCI First for Hunters (SCI) and its sister organization SCI Foundation (SCIF) were formed by hunters to represent hunters and their concerns about wildlife conservation and management issues. SCI advocates to protect the freedom to hunt and for wildlife conservation and management based on wildlife science. SCIF supports and manages wildlife conservation programs world wide and promotes sound scientifically based management of wildlife through conservation hunting programs. With over 170 chapters and over 46,000 members around the world, SCI hunter conservationists are dedicated to conservation of natural resources and advocacy for the hunting community.
This policy addresses SCI first for Hunters’ issues worldwide regarding hunting operations utilizing high fences as a wildlife management tool.
“Commercial demand for hunting and for sale of live wildlife and their products has prompted the growth of a commercial industry that raises non-domesticated native ungulates within managed properties.” (Demaris et al 2002:1). The industry also includes those properties that raise exotic wildlife. With the advent of Chronic Wasting Disease, confinement of wildlife and related activities have emerged as major conservation issues in North America and has ramifications to hunting-based businesses throughout the world. SCI has a strong interest in the status of the commercial hunting industry worldwide, reflected in the recognition of trophies from these types of facilities in its record books.
Man’s relationship with various wildlife species has evolved over time, with some species becoming domesticated while attempts were made to eradicate some species because of threats to life and personal property. These relationships are not static in time, as some domesticated animals have returned to “wild” status while other species such as large carnivores have gone from pest to protected status and have been recovered to viable populations. Additionally, a host of species have come to be recognized as “game species” because of their elusiveness, cunning, appearance or other attribute which ensure that their pursuit will be challenging when practices of fair chase are observed. The growth of the commercial hunting industry in confined wildlife reflects a desire by the public to have an opportunity to pursue rare species or mature specimens of common species while experiencing the challenge of the hunt.
Landowners have the right, under property law, to manage their lands for their own interests so long as those management practices are allowed under governmental laws and regulations. The erection of high fences to control animal movements is a legitimate wildlife management practice so long as the presence of the fence does not interfere with free-ranging animal movements to critical habitats. However, landowners have an obligation to ensure that their management practices do not threaten the population status of publicly owned wildlife in their area.
The use of high fences to contain wildlife can be a legitimate tool for wildlife management, wildlife conservation and for hunting programs worldwide when applied under appropriate conditions. Thus SCI First for Hunters advocates the following:
The state or country hunting industry shall have industry approved standards based on the specific conditions of that region including types of species, terrain, habitats and weather as well as such factors as cultural history of hunting practices and current regulations;
Management programs must include adequate practices to effectively address disease issues including a testing program, record keeping of animals that have been moved and any other preventative practices that are considered appropriate for the region and species involved;
Hunting programs conducted behind high fences must be conducted under fair chase principles. It is recognized that there is difficulty in defining fair chase principles for different species and habitat conditions but the hunting programs must have a reasonable set of standards that address the issue with a minimum standard which provides that all hunted animals have an opportunity to escape into adequate cover and to retain a natural flight response;
Management programs must address the well-being of the animals involved in all phases of the programs and must provide adequate food, water and cover within the fenced area;
Standards for high fence facilities should be of high quality with regular checks to maintain the integrity of the fences on the facility and a process to deal effectively with escaped animals;
Management programs must be conducted in such a manner that they will not shed a negative light on the sport of hunting.
High fence hunting operations worldwide can offer unique hunting experiences to many types of hunters, including beginning hunters, advanced trophy hunters, elderly hunters, and special needs hunters. However, we also recognize that some of these facilities can provide opportunities to take animals in a manner that does not meet the ethical standards of fair chase. Property managers must conscientiously avoid any situation which casts a negative light on sport hunting. SCI knows many industry operations can provide high quality experiences and will work with the industry to promote fair chase within high fence facilities.
SCI believes the management of non-domesticated wildlife within high fences has been practiced for centuries and remains legitimate activity. However, this legitimate activity must be balanced with the potential risks associated with enclosed wildlife. Because of these concerns, SCI recognizes the rational for reasonable regulatory oversight of this industry by appropriate governmental agencies.
SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s 173 Chapters represent all 50 United States as well as 13 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit www.safariclub.org or call 520-620-1220 for more information.
SCI’s record-breaking 33rd Annual Hunters’ Convention hosted more than 19,700 sportsmen from 50 countries around the world. Thanks to over 1,100 top exhibitors helping hunters realize dreams around the globe, the Convention raised nearly $11 million for SCI and the SCI Foundation. To register to attend SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention, in Reno Jan. 18-21, 2006, call 888-746-9724 toll-free or visit www.safariclub.org.
Professional journalists wishing to attend SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention as members of the working media may register online at www.sci-foundation.org/pr/pressreg06/.
# # #
Contact:
Matt Anderson
520-620-1220, ext. 268
manderson@safariclub.org
Find out about the PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR MEDIA ASSOCIATION (POMA), a new organization for hook-n-bullet writers, editors and other media professionals in the outdoor and shooting sports industries! Go online towww.professionaloutdoormedia.org today!
To unsubscribe from this and all other SCI e-mail distributions, please visit:http://www.safariclub.org/unsubscribe/.
Tucson, Ariz., Aug. 29, 2005 -- SCI today denied any connection with a lawsuit filed in Harrison County Circuit Court on Aug. 24, 2005 that seeks to challenge an emergency ruling by Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Kyle Hupfer concerning the issue of high fenced hunting in that state.
“While SCI does support the concept of hunting wild game behind private high-fence operations as long as it adheres to ethical hunting practices such as fair chase, the organization is in no way involved with this lawsuit, nor does it hold any position on this matter,” said SCI Executive Director Tom Riley. “It is unfortunate and inaccurate that SCI has been named by the suit’s originators and the news media as a supporter.”
In fact, SCI’s Central Indiana Chapter, SCI Members and other organizations have worked closely with Director Hupfer in creating Indiana’s First Annual Take a Kid Hunting Day, a grassroots effort meant to introduce youth to outdoor sportsmanship scheduled to take place Sept. 17, 2005.
Riley continued, “SCI hopes that this will clear up any misinformation currently in the public eye.”
SCI’s official policy concerning hunting behind high fences is as follows:
SCI First for Hunters (SCI) and its sister organization SCI Foundation (SCIF) were formed by hunters to represent hunters and their concerns about wildlife conservation and management issues. SCI advocates to protect the freedom to hunt and for wildlife conservation and management based on wildlife science. SCIF supports and manages wildlife conservation programs world wide and promotes sound scientifically based management of wildlife through conservation hunting programs. With over 170 chapters and over 46,000 members around the world, SCI hunter conservationists are dedicated to conservation of natural resources and advocacy for the hunting community.
This policy addresses SCI first for Hunters’ issues worldwide regarding hunting operations utilizing high fences as a wildlife management tool.
“Commercial demand for hunting and for sale of live wildlife and their products has prompted the growth of a commercial industry that raises non-domesticated native ungulates within managed properties.” (Demaris et al 2002:1). The industry also includes those properties that raise exotic wildlife. With the advent of Chronic Wasting Disease, confinement of wildlife and related activities have emerged as major conservation issues in North America and has ramifications to hunting-based businesses throughout the world. SCI has a strong interest in the status of the commercial hunting industry worldwide, reflected in the recognition of trophies from these types of facilities in its record books.
Man’s relationship with various wildlife species has evolved over time, with some species becoming domesticated while attempts were made to eradicate some species because of threats to life and personal property. These relationships are not static in time, as some domesticated animals have returned to “wild” status while other species such as large carnivores have gone from pest to protected status and have been recovered to viable populations. Additionally, a host of species have come to be recognized as “game species” because of their elusiveness, cunning, appearance or other attribute which ensure that their pursuit will be challenging when practices of fair chase are observed. The growth of the commercial hunting industry in confined wildlife reflects a desire by the public to have an opportunity to pursue rare species or mature specimens of common species while experiencing the challenge of the hunt.
Landowners have the right, under property law, to manage their lands for their own interests so long as those management practices are allowed under governmental laws and regulations. The erection of high fences to control animal movements is a legitimate wildlife management practice so long as the presence of the fence does not interfere with free-ranging animal movements to critical habitats. However, landowners have an obligation to ensure that their management practices do not threaten the population status of publicly owned wildlife in their area.
The use of high fences to contain wildlife can be a legitimate tool for wildlife management, wildlife conservation and for hunting programs worldwide when applied under appropriate conditions. Thus SCI First for Hunters advocates the following:
The state or country hunting industry shall have industry approved standards based on the specific conditions of that region including types of species, terrain, habitats and weather as well as such factors as cultural history of hunting practices and current regulations;
Management programs must include adequate practices to effectively address disease issues including a testing program, record keeping of animals that have been moved and any other preventative practices that are considered appropriate for the region and species involved;
Hunting programs conducted behind high fences must be conducted under fair chase principles. It is recognized that there is difficulty in defining fair chase principles for different species and habitat conditions but the hunting programs must have a reasonable set of standards that address the issue with a minimum standard which provides that all hunted animals have an opportunity to escape into adequate cover and to retain a natural flight response;
Management programs must address the well-being of the animals involved in all phases of the programs and must provide adequate food, water and cover within the fenced area;
Standards for high fence facilities should be of high quality with regular checks to maintain the integrity of the fences on the facility and a process to deal effectively with escaped animals;
Management programs must be conducted in such a manner that they will not shed a negative light on the sport of hunting.
High fence hunting operations worldwide can offer unique hunting experiences to many types of hunters, including beginning hunters, advanced trophy hunters, elderly hunters, and special needs hunters. However, we also recognize that some of these facilities can provide opportunities to take animals in a manner that does not meet the ethical standards of fair chase. Property managers must conscientiously avoid any situation which casts a negative light on sport hunting. SCI knows many industry operations can provide high quality experiences and will work with the industry to promote fair chase within high fence facilities.
SCI believes the management of non-domesticated wildlife within high fences has been practiced for centuries and remains legitimate activity. However, this legitimate activity must be balanced with the potential risks associated with enclosed wildlife. Because of these concerns, SCI recognizes the rational for reasonable regulatory oversight of this industry by appropriate governmental agencies.
SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s 173 Chapters represent all 50 United States as well as 13 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit www.safariclub.org or call 520-620-1220 for more information.
SCI’s record-breaking 33rd Annual Hunters’ Convention hosted more than 19,700 sportsmen from 50 countries around the world. Thanks to over 1,100 top exhibitors helping hunters realize dreams around the globe, the Convention raised nearly $11 million for SCI and the SCI Foundation. To register to attend SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention, in Reno Jan. 18-21, 2006, call 888-746-9724 toll-free or visit www.safariclub.org.
Professional journalists wishing to attend SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention as members of the working media may register online at www.sci-foundation.org/pr/pressreg06/.
# # #
Contact:
Matt Anderson
520-620-1220, ext. 268
manderson@safariclub.org
Find out about the PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR MEDIA ASSOCIATION (POMA), a new organization for hook-n-bullet writers, editors and other media professionals in the outdoor and shooting sports industries! Go online towww.professionaloutdoormedia.org today!
To unsubscribe from this and all other SCI e-mail distributions, please visit:http://www.safariclub.org/unsubscribe/.
