While working to protect the interests of predator hunters and trappers, as well as the use of lead ammunition, in California during recent weeks, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Western U.S. office has also spent countless hours addressing a larger threat to the state’s long-term game management plans.
The California Fish and Game Commission develops policies and practices for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, lists and delists endangered species in the state, and sets seasons, bag limits, and methods of take. Commissioners are appointed by the governor for six-year terms and, obviously, wield significant power that affects the lives, business interests, and passions of sportsmen statewide. Two commissioners have resided on the board despite exceeding their official term limit. In the case of Commissioner Richard Rogers of Santa Barbara, laws and limits don’t apply – his term expired in 2011 and he has continued to fill the role despite no official reappointment.
Michael Flores, USSA’s senior director of Western U.S. operations, hopes to change this willful neglect, as well as the complexion of the commission. “The commission is supposed to listen to everyone and make a decision based on science and public input, but with a few of the commissioners, their public comments have made it quite clear that their decision is a foregone conclusion,” he said. “We need to change the complexion of the commission so that it is not nearly so biased. I don’t mind losing battles, but I want to lose battles in front of an impartial commission.”
To that end, Flores and the Al Taucher Conservation Coalition, which was reassembled under the direction of USSA last year, and represents 1.2 million California sportsmen, have put forth candidates to replace those individuals whose authority to preside over critical matters involving wildlife have long since expired.
One of those candidates, Bob Harris, would bring diversity to the board. A native of Fresno, California, Harris began his career as a teacher and worked his way up the administrative ladder, eventually becoming an assistant school superintendent. Currently, the board lacks the diversity reflective of California’s population. Harris has interviewed with the governor and is awaiting the next phase of the process, which could be anyone’s guess – no timetable exists or is being followed for the appointment of commissioners.
“As a former commissioner, I want to bring back a sense of balance to the policy-making process. It’s not necessary to promote a die-hard hunter’s perspective,” said Flores. “We simply want people that can ask tough questions on both sides of the issue and make decisions based on science and not emotion.”
About the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) is a 501(c)4 organization and provides direct lobbying and grassroots coalition support to protect and advance the rights of hunters, trappers, anglers and scientific wildlife management professionals. The USSA is the only organization exclusively devoted to combating the attacks made on America’s sportsman traditions by anti-hunting and animal rights extremists. This is accomplished through coalition building, ballot issue campaigning and legislative and government relations. Stay connected to USSA: Online, Facebook and Twitter.