Proposal Would Eliminate Hunting Opportunities on Public and Private Lands
County Commissioners in Thurston County, Washington have proposed enacting strict, new, no shooting zones that would eliminate hunting on many public and private lands.
Among the regulations is a prohibition from hunting within 300 yards from shore in Puget Sound. Waterfowlers have safely hunted these areas in Puget Sound for generations and the proposed ordinance would arbitrarily eliminate much of this traditional hunting ground.
Those backing this anti-hunting proposal are claiming that the ordinance is needed for public safety to protect people, pets, and property. However, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have testified before the Commissioners stating that there have been absolutely zero substantiated hunting accidents on Puget Sound. In addition, current state laws already ensure that hunting is done safely.
Sportsmen are encouraged to attend a County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, April 5, 2012 starting at 1:00 p.m. where they will be discussing the ordinance. The meeting will be held at the Thurston County Courthouse, Building One, in Room 280. The Courthouse is located at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia.
“The supporters of this ordinance have absolutely no data to support their claims that hunting is unsafe and are simply seeking to take away hunting opportunities,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance in-house counsel and associate director of state services. “Washington sportsmen should contact the Thurston County Commissioners and ask them to vote down the ordinance. If passed, it could be used by anti-hunters in other counties to persuade their commissioners to pass similar hunting bans.”
Take Action! Washington sportsmen should contact the Commissioners at (360) 786-5440 or by email and ask them to oppose the ordinance.
Thurston County Commissioners
Commissioner Sandra Romero – [email protected]
Commissioner Cathy Wolfe – [email protected]
Commissioner Karen Valenzuela – [email protected]
U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
801 Kingsmill Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43229
614-888-4868
www.sportsmensalliance.org
[email protected]