New Jersey Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden) has decided not to move Senate Bill 3541 that would ban all hunting contests, following an outcry of opposition from sportsmen. The Sportsmen’s Alliance, along with our New Jersey members and other allies, voiced opposition to the bill because of the negative impacts it would have on hunting and training sporting dogs, as well as the negative impacts it would have had on New Jersey’s wildlife management practices.
“The language in SB 3541 is so vague, it could easily apply to a father and daughter who have agreed that the first person to harvest game is owed an ice cream cone,” said Luke Houghton, associate director of state services. “We’re pleased to see that Sen. Cruz-Perez heard the concerns of sportsmen and women and agrees that her own bill would set a dangerous precedent.”
Animal-rights groups, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), are supporting similar bills in multiple states that threaten hunting competitions, field trials and even the future of hunting with dogs in general. Allegedly aimed at coyote-killing contests, the legislation is often written so broadly as to apply to much larger groups of American sportsmen. The Sportsmen’s Alliance, along with our members and partners, are fighting these horrendous attacks in Oregon, New Mexico, New York, Nevada and Wisconsin.
Field trials, hunt tests and other canine competitions are essential to the development of high-quality hunting dogs, making SB 3541 a concern for all who hunt using dogs – including upland, retriever and hound breeds. According to SB 3541, anyone participating in any activity, competition, contest, derby, tournament or other organized activity where participants are encouraged to take wildlife and are rewarded by a prize or any kind of inducement or reward would be in violation of the law, and could have faced up to six months of imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000 or both.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.