Post by Woody Williams on Aug 30, 2006 14:09:58 GMT -5
IWF Letter to the Governor
August 29, 2006
Governor Mitch Daniels
Office of the Governor
Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797
Dear Governor Daniels:
The Indiana Wildlife Federation strongly opposes the proposed court settlement agreement allowing canned hunting to continue in Indiana for 12 years.
DNR Director Kyle Hupfer endorsed adoption of a rule by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission in March to ban canned hunting in Indiana. Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter approved the legality of the DNR rule and Governor Daniels wisely signed the permanent rule in June. The Indiana Wildlife Federation applauds the efforts of the Governor to make Indiana a leader in the Midwest in eliminating high fenced hunting facilities. Indiana has joined 17 other states in banning trophy hunting in enclosed areas.
Repeated attempts by canned hunting facilities to pass legislation legalizing canned hunting failed again this year.
One canned hunting operator sued the state to block the rule and now all current canned hunting facilities could be legalized if the Governor signs the proposed court settlement.
The question before the court involves charging fees for shooting white-tailed deer and other animals in pens, an illegal activity under the new DNR Rule. Rumors of a settlement have circulated for weeks. IWF just received a copy of the proposal on August 27th and we find it completely unacceptable.
What happened? Why would the State of Indiana agree to abandon the common sense DNR rule just signed into effect only two months ago in June, 2006 by Governor Daniels?
Conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts cannot understand the quick reversal of policy by the Governor and the DNR and the rush to agree to 12 more years of Canned Hunting.
The Indiana Wildlife Federation encourages the State to stay the course to win the lawsuit defending the DNR ban.
The court could rule in favor of the State of Indiana or in favor of the property owner.
If the Attorney General wins the case, then canned hunting will end this year.
If the property owner wins, then the DNR can determine what rule to adopt in its place that will comply with the ruling of the court. At a minimum, there would be public discussion and another vote by the DNR Commission to adopt a rule putting strict regulations on canned hunting. Allowing 12 years for a phase out is unacceptable.
Less than a dozen canned hunting facility owners are trying to get a license to operate though the courts that they could not achieve through the regular public policy process. The Attorney General should oppose adding other canned hunting operators to the current lawsuit.
The Indiana Wildlife Federation is requesting that Governor Daniels reject the proposed 12 year extension of Canned Hunting and continue to defend the DNR Rule signed two months ago.
Sincerely,
Janet Ryan
President John Goss, Executive Director
On behalf of the Board of Directors Indiana Wildlife Federation
August 29, 2006
Governor Mitch Daniels
Office of the Governor
Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797
Dear Governor Daniels:
The Indiana Wildlife Federation strongly opposes the proposed court settlement agreement allowing canned hunting to continue in Indiana for 12 years.
DNR Director Kyle Hupfer endorsed adoption of a rule by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission in March to ban canned hunting in Indiana. Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter approved the legality of the DNR rule and Governor Daniels wisely signed the permanent rule in June. The Indiana Wildlife Federation applauds the efforts of the Governor to make Indiana a leader in the Midwest in eliminating high fenced hunting facilities. Indiana has joined 17 other states in banning trophy hunting in enclosed areas.
Repeated attempts by canned hunting facilities to pass legislation legalizing canned hunting failed again this year.
One canned hunting operator sued the state to block the rule and now all current canned hunting facilities could be legalized if the Governor signs the proposed court settlement.
The question before the court involves charging fees for shooting white-tailed deer and other animals in pens, an illegal activity under the new DNR Rule. Rumors of a settlement have circulated for weeks. IWF just received a copy of the proposal on August 27th and we find it completely unacceptable.
What happened? Why would the State of Indiana agree to abandon the common sense DNR rule just signed into effect only two months ago in June, 2006 by Governor Daniels?
Conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts cannot understand the quick reversal of policy by the Governor and the DNR and the rush to agree to 12 more years of Canned Hunting.
The Indiana Wildlife Federation encourages the State to stay the course to win the lawsuit defending the DNR ban.
The court could rule in favor of the State of Indiana or in favor of the property owner.
If the Attorney General wins the case, then canned hunting will end this year.
If the property owner wins, then the DNR can determine what rule to adopt in its place that will comply with the ruling of the court. At a minimum, there would be public discussion and another vote by the DNR Commission to adopt a rule putting strict regulations on canned hunting. Allowing 12 years for a phase out is unacceptable.
Less than a dozen canned hunting facility owners are trying to get a license to operate though the courts that they could not achieve through the regular public policy process. The Attorney General should oppose adding other canned hunting operators to the current lawsuit.
The Indiana Wildlife Federation is requesting that Governor Daniels reject the proposed 12 year extension of Canned Hunting and continue to defend the DNR Rule signed two months ago.
Sincerely,
Janet Ryan
President John Goss, Executive Director
On behalf of the Board of Directors Indiana Wildlife Federation
