If the end of 2009 is any indication, 2010 looks like it will be just another year full of crazy, “over the top antics” from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The latest is that the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) reported last week on PETA’s unauthorized use of First Lady Michelle Obama in an anti-fur ad at year’s end.

Since then, PETA has removed the ad due to its controversial nature, but the ad was by no means the only crazy thing PETA did to finish out 2009. Among other wacky stunts, it issued a call to make the Vatican go vegan and harshly criticized sportsmen for donating venison to local food banks.

PETA’s Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs Bruce Friedrich – who, coincidentally, is Catholic – sent a letter on Dec. 21 to Pope Benedict XVI urging him, “In light of the over-whelming scientific evidence showing that human consumption of animal products is degrading the environment, we urge you to go vegan and only serve vegan meals in Vatican City and at all Papal events.”

Friedrich went on to conclude, “Going vegan and serving only vegan meals at the Vatican would help ensure a bright future for all.”
Meanwhile, in a Washington Post story recounting how a Maryland deer hunter donates venison to food banks, Friedrich is quoted as saying, “I find it offensive that people would try to justify immoral behavior by claiming that something good comes out of it.”
“Unless you consider it charitable to ask for vegan dishes in the Vatican, what exactly has PETA done for those in need?” asks Doug Jeanneret, USSA vice president for marketing. “As PETA continues to churn out its outrageous viewpoints, sportsmen are donating the fruits of their labor for a good cause without seeking media limelight to advance a radical agenda.”

California’s ‘Terminator’
proposes raiding wildlife funds

With California facing a $21 billion budget deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is again proposing to divert millions of dollars in funding from hunting and fishing programs for non-game uses – a move which would likely result in significantly fewer hunting and fishing opportunities for California sportsmen.

The proposal from Gov. Schwarzenegger was made public with the release of the Fiscal Year 2010/11 state budget plan. However, no specific details were provided as to where the cuts would be made.
As in most states, wildlife management and conservation funding in California is largely paid for by sportsmen through their hunting and fishing licenses and related stamp and tag fees, rather than through general tax revenues. Additionally, any misuse of hunting license dollars would put into jeopardy millions more in matching federal funds. The loss of the funding would have a devastating impact on the state’s conservation efforts.

The situation faced by Golden State sportsmen is similar to what happened last year when the USSA, the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance and others joined forces to stop wildlife fund diversions within the 2009 budget.

Half-million acres of habitat work by Pheasants Forever

The 621 Pheasants Forever chapters, 103 Quail Forever chapters and 125,000 members of The Habitat Organization nationwide completed more than 22,000 wildlife habitat projects in 2009, benefiting over 500,000 acres for pheasants, quail and other wildlife.

The acreage includes more than 8,300 acres of land acquired and then opened to public hunting and recreation as state-managed wildlife areas or federal Waterfowl Production Areas.

Pheasants Forever spent over $34.7 million on program expenses last year, including $4.9 million on land acquisitions. In fact, since Pheasants Forever formed in 1982, the organization has spent $50 million on land acquisitions, opening 144,000 acres to public hunting and outdoor recreation.

And in 2009, 9,942 youngsters took part in local Pheasants Forever mentored youth hunts to introduce young hunters to hunting and wildlife habitat conservation.

“The past year was another testament to the ability of Pheasants Forever’s local approach to wildlife habitat conservation,” said Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever national president and CEO.
Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever, empower county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent – the only national conservation organization operating through a truly grassroots structure.

“A half-million acres is great, but we know with our model, we have the ability to do even more habitat projects on more acres and accomplish more for our favorite upland birds,” Vincent said.

Indiana boater education class scheduled for Feb. 6
There will be an Indiana Boater Education Class Feb. 6 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, during the Fort Wayne Boat Show.

The class is free, but students must pre-register by signing up at the Indiana Conservation Officers Booth at the Boat Show, or by calling the Indiana Conservation Officers District Office at 260-244-3720.

‘Eagles in Flight’ at Turkey Run & Raccoon Lake
“Eagles in Flight” weekend takes off at Turkey Run State Park Feb. 5-7. Enjoy up-close experiences with live hawks, owls and a bald eagle. Visit several active eagle nests, and watch dozens of eagles leave one of the largest overnight roosts in the state.

Visit the Eagle Watch webpage for more information, or call 765-597-2654. The cost is $20 per adult and $15 per child ages 4-12, and includes three days of programs and two guided bus tours.
Make room reservations at 877-563-4371; be sure and reference group code 0205EW.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.