When Senate Bill 1221, a measure to ban bear and bobcat hunting with hounds, reached California Governor Jerry Brown’s desk, he did as expected—he signed it.
The highly controversial measure was introduced by State Senator Ted Lieu (D- Torrance) in April after anti-hunting organizations (including the Humane Society of the United States) failed to have California Fish and Game President Dan Richards thrown off the commission for legally hunting mountain lions out of state.
“From the get go, anti-hunting legislators have been out for revenge,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA’s Director of State Services. “Unable to get Mr. Richards to resign, they instead channeled their frustration towards sportsmen and used every political trick in the book. They are punishing a group of people who have done nothing wrong.”