The results of last week's 2010 statewide election will have several important implications for California's hunting community.  On the positive side, all of the 18 State Legislators who were running for re-election and also members of the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus won their individual races.  In addition, former Assembly Member Member Doug La Malfa (R-Butte), a Caucus member from 2006-2008, was elected to the 4th Senate District by a wide margin.  In fact, all but one (Senate District 12) of the COHA-endorsed candidates for State Senate or State Assembly won their election.

  COHA's focus in the next several months will be to work with the CA Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus Co-Chairs in both the Senate and the Assembly to bolster the current Caucus membership and educate freshman Legislators about hunting and wildlife conservation issues.

  On the downside, Proposition 21, which would have generated approximately $35 million annually for the management of Department of Fish and Game lands, was soundly rejected by the voters.  DFG's fiscal woes can therefore be expected to continue for some time, with both public hunting opportunities and game species conservation efforts adversely affected.  Most recently, this trend was evident in DFG's decision to eliminate traditional pheasant and upland game hunting on non-waterfowl hunt days at its Type A Wildlife Areas for the remainder of this season.

  It should also be noted that right-to-hunt statewide initiatives in South Carolina, Arkansas and Tennessee passed overwhelmingly, ensuring constitutional protections and establishing an individual right to participate in hunting in those states.  However, in the one case (Arizona) where animal rights groups actively opposed and contributed significant funds against a right-to-hunt ballot measure, it was voted down.