Governor to Consider Hunting/Fishing Protection Bill
A COHA-sponsored bill, AB 815 (Berryhill), that would help keep local governments from interfering with hunting and fishing activities has finally made its way to the Governor's desk. COHA is asking its members to contact Governor Schwarzenegger as soon as possible to urge his signature of the bill. AB 815 was introduced to address increasing efforts by local cities and counties to ban hunting within their jurisdictions. For example, the City of Hercules recently tried to ban waterfowl hunting a full 3 miles out into San Francisco Bay. Other local governments have inappropriately attempted to enforce firearms discharge ordinances in areas where hunting can be undertaken safely under state laws and regulations. Under AB 815, all local ordinances or regulations that impact hunting or fishing would be preempted (void) unless, in limited instances, legitimate public safety issues necessitate local action and there is only an incidental effect on hunting and fishing activities. Please help COHA obtain the Governor's approval of this important measure. Below is the Governor's contact information. For a sample letter, please visit www.outdoorheritage.org/
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor
State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph. 916-445-2841
Fax 916-445-4633 |
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Ailing Spay/Neuter Bill "Humanely Euthanized"
A measure that could have significantly impacted both the quality and quantity of dogs available for hunting and field trialing purposes was finally defeated in the California State Senate after only receiving five initial votes on the Floor. AB 1634 would have imposed fees for: (1) any unlicensed and unspayed/unneutered dog; or (2) for any unspayed/unneutered dog that has been impounded or found to be "at large" -- of which on the third such occasion, the dog would be required to be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense.
Although AB 1634 was amended eleven different times, COHA remained actively opposed to the bill throughout the Legislative process because it still wrongly imposed spay/neuter requirements for behavior not necessarily related to a dog's reproductive status, while utterly failing to target problem dog breeders. COHA was also concerned that the final version of the bill lacked any definition of the term "at large", creating potential adverse impacts on hunting and dog training activities.
COHA was pleased to be part of a coordinated opposition to AB 1634 by many different groups, including the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, California Houndsmen for Conservation, California Waterfowl Association, National Open Field Coursing Association, PetPAC, National Rifle Association, California Cattlemen's Association and California Farm Bureau. We would also like to thank the many individuals who contacted members of the Legislature to voice their concern with the measure. |
COHA/CHC Sponsored Bill Heads to Governor After months of intense scrutiny by the Legislature and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), AB 2132 (Houston), a COHA/California Houndsmen for Conservation (CHC) sponsored bill passed off the Assembly Floor and is now headed to the Governor's desk for his consideration.
AB 2132 (Houston) would help protect hunting dogs by making it a crime to remove their collars, including electronic and radio transmitting devices, without written permission of the owners. The bill would also clarify trespass rules, provide the Department of Fish and Game with much-needed flexibility regarding the collection of substantially increased commercial hunting club fees, and make other technical changes to the Fish and Game Code.
COHA is urging hunters to contact the Governor in support of AB 2132. Below is his contact information. For additional information and a sample letter, please also visit our website at www.outdoorheritage.org/
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor
State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph. 916-445-2841
Fax 916-445-4633
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The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of wildlife conservation and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association (CWA) to enhance the political effectiveness of hunters and other wildlife conservationists and enthusiasts in the halls of our State Capitol and beyond. For more information on COHA and its member organizations, please visit www.outdoorheritage.org
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