Supporting Conservation?

Ray Schoenke goes on and on about how the big bad NRA supports politicians who are raping our planet and that the AHSA is the only ones able to 'really' support hunters by conserving our environment.

Why then do I have a feeling we'll hear nothing but crickets over this latest bill by the IL legislature stripping millions from conservation funds in the state?

In an unprecedented move to reduce Illinois’ budget deficits, the Illinois Legislature passed a bill authorizing Gov. Rod Blagojevich to sweep $18 million from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, including $9.25 million from dedicated conservation funds, which are primarily generated through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and permits...

“Hunters and anglers pay for the opportunity to hunt and fish by purchasing licenses, stamps and permits, as well as through the federal tax on firearms, ammunition and sporting equipment,” said Kent Adams, National Wild Turkey Federation regional biologist for Illinois. “These funds are dedicated for conservation, wildlife management and public land acquisition, and sweeping them would cause Illinois to lose $15 million in federal funds that would be used for wildlife conservation. That loss would continue annually, until the swept funds were restored, so this action does nothing to solve the state budget deficit.”

Conservation and hunting organizations banded together to request Gov. Blagojevich veto SB 790, but on Oct. 7, 2008, Gov. Blagojevich quietly signed it into law. Now, many are contacting the Governor’s office asking that he not harm the future of conservation and hunting in Illinois, or the state’s economy, by sweeping dedicated sportsmen’s funds.

potentially affected conservation funds:

Illinois Habitat Fund
Wildlife and Fish Fund
Fish and Wildlife Endowment Fund
Illinois Habitat Endowment Trust Fund
State Migratory Waterfowl Fund
State Pheasant Fun


Ray, Any comment?