California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Help COHA defeat the following bills that threaten your firearms freedoms:

1) AB 809 (Feuer), legislation which would require a permanent registry of long guns – including all shotguns and rifles. Under AB 809, those who purchase, or even transfer a shotgun or rifle to a family member, will be required to permanently register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number, occupation and sex to the CA Department of Justice.

“AB 809 will not help law enforcement agencies solve crime, but rather unnecessarily invade the privacy of law-abiding hunting and other sport-shooting enthusiasts,” stated Jason Rhine, Director of Advocacy for COHA.

2) SB 427 (De Leon) would redefine “handgun ammunition” to include many commonly used rifle rounds and allow for full implementation of AB 962 – an ammunition registration law passed in 2009, portions of which were recently ruled unconstitutional by the courts.

Under the provisions of AB 962, mail order and internet sales of handgun and some rifle ammunition would essentially be banned given that all transactions would have to be completed “face-to-face”. Additionally, sportsmen and women would be forced to submit personal information when buying commonly-used sporting ammunition, even though they had already undergone an extensive background check with the purchase or transfer of a firearm.

COHA has been actively working with our founding member, California Waterfowl, as well as the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Rifle Association and California Rifle and Pistol Association, to defeat these anti-gun bills.

“Sportsmen and gun owners need to make their voices heard before its too late by contacting the Governor and asking him to protect their rights,” said Rob Sexton U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Vice President of Government Affairs.

Please contact Governor Brown’s office immediately and ask that he veto AB 809 and SB 427. For the Governor’s contact information, click here.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus Shoot

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- On August 23rd, California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) staff spent a day in the field with members of the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus, Legislative staff and other policy-makers at the Cordova Shooting Center near Sacramento.

The annual event, which is hosted by COHA, drew nearly 130 attendees. Delta Waterfowl was again the lead funder of the event serving as the Platinum Sponsor of this popular shoot, and the National Wild Turkey Federation continued their long-time support of the event as a Gold Level Sponsor.

The shoot is intended to educate California’s lawmakers about the safe use of firearms, while providing an enjoyable shooting experience. Activities included both trap and skeet shooting – a mainstay of the event – as well archery for this first time ever. Participants were also treated to a delicious BBQ dinner.

Special thanks to the Department of Fish and Game’s Hunter Education Instructors for providing safety information and instruction, along with the California Bowman Hunters/State Archery Association for setting up the archery range. COHA would again like to thank our Platinum Sponsor Delta Waterfowl, and Gold Sponsor National Wild Turkey Federation. Special note is also warranted for the event’s Heritage Sponsor California Waterfowl, and two Silver Sponsors, National Shooting Sports Foundation and Platinum Advisors.

The following also provided valued assistance and partnership for this event: Federal Ammo/RCBS, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, California Deer Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, NRA-ILA, California Rifle and Pistol Association, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, California Correctional Peace Officers Association, Wilderness Unlimited, and Cordova Shooting Center.

To learn more about the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus, please visit California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus website.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Votes Imminent on Several Bills Impacting Hunters & Gun Owners

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- California Outdoor Heritage Alliance can use your help in defeating the following bills which threaten your firearms freedoms:

1) AB 809 (Feuer), legislation which would require a permanent registry of long guns – including all shotguns and rifles. Under AB 809, those who purchase, or even transfer a shotgun or rifle will be required to permanently register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number, occupation and sex to the California Department of Justice. AB 809 is on the Senate Floor and can be voted on asshells and gun early as next week.

2) SB 427 (De Leon) would redefine “handgun ammunition” to include many commonly used rifle rounds and allow for full implementation of AB 962 – an ammunition registration law passed in 2009, portions of which were recently ruled unconstitutional by the courts. Under the provisions of AB 962, mail order and internet sales of handgun and some rifle ammunition would essentially be banned given that all transactions must now be completed “face-to-face”. Additionally, sportsmen and women would be forced to submit personal information when buying commonly-used sporting ammunition, even though they had already undergone an extensive background check with the purchase or transfer of a firearm. SB 427 is on the Assembly Floor and can be voted on at anytime.

3) SB 798 (De Leon) would allow local governments to adopt local ordinances regulating nearly all aspects of the sale and manufacturing of imitation firearms, BB devices, and air rifles – including those legally used for hunting wild turkey and small game – resulting in a patchwork of local ordinances creating mass-confusion amongst BB device owners and purchasers. SB 798 can be voted on at anytime.

Please contact your Legislator immediately and ask them to oppose these three unnecessary and intrusive measures. For more information regarding how to contact your Legislator, click here.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance Foundation Challenge Shoot

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Join COHA and fellow sportsmen and shooters at the upcoming “COHA Foundation Challenge Shoot 2011″ to be held at the Cordova Shooting Center in Rancho Cordova on August 23rd.

A few individual shooting spots and sponsorships are still available, and all participants must register before the event. The event features 4-person teams with each team member shooting 100 targets Winning team Challenge 2010(trap & skeet combo).

Shells, targets, lunch and drinks are all included in your entry fee. In additional to capturing the perennial team trophy and individual trophies, the winning team will receive a $2000 gift certificate to the sport shop of their choice. Second and thirdplace prizes will also be awarded.

Event sponsors will get additional benefits — including an invitation to attend the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus Trap Shoot that evening. So gather up your top shooting friends and join COHA on the range on August 23rd.

For more information call Rick Bulloch at (916) 606-7039 or click here for the event flyer.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- In June, the California Resources Agency launched the implementation of the “California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision”.

The effort, mandated by AB 2376 (Huffman) which passed in 2010, is intended to reevaluate the long-term mission and priorities of the Department of Fish and Game and the California Fish and Game Commission.

Among other things, AB 2376 required the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to convene an Executive Committee (EC) made up of specified representatives, and for the EC to appoint a Blue Ribbon Citizen Commission (BRCC) charged with assisting the EC and working with a Stakeholder Advisory Group to develop the Strategic Vision.

California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision Logo

Nearly one month later, on July 21st, the BRCC held its first public meeting to gather input from agency and other experts in the fish and wildlife field. At the request of “Vision” staff, COHA President, Bill Gaines, gave a presentation to the Commission regarding the importance of considering the needs of hunters and anglers when outlining the future of the State’s fish and wildlife management.

During the 2010 Legislative Session, COHA successfully sought amendments that require the Strategic Vision process to consider recreational and commercial harvest of fish and wildlife and ensure that hunters and anglers have a seat at the table. The Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision Executive Committee will hold its next public meeting on August 10, 2011 at the State Capitol. COHA staff will again be in attendance.

For more information on the Strategic Vision process, including information on its upcoming meetings, visit www.vision.ca.gov

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Department Of Fish And Game

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) secured a $500,000 federal grant to support the creation of additional public hunting and fishing opportunities.

The grant, through California’s Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program, will allow public access for wildlife-dependent recreation on private lands.

“This significant grant funding is the shot in the arm that the SHARE Program needs to finally expand beyond a mere pilot or regional program,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). “Many new and exciting hunting opportunities will be made available to the public as a direct result of the department’s successful efforts to secure federal funds.

DFG will use the federal funds, which were originally authorized through the “Open Fields” provision of the 2008 Farm Bill, to compensate participating landowners and nonprofit organizations helping to administer the SHARE hunts. Hunters participating in SHARE will still remain a key funding source for the SHARE Program, along with hunting licenses, stamp and tag funds.

“DFG should be praised and congratulated for their efforts in securing these funds, which will increase public hunting opportunities on private lands in California,” stated John Carlson Jr., President of California Waterfowl. “In most instances, the properties enrolled in the SHARE Program have never been available for public use. Now, private land in Californiawill be made available for current and future generations.”

The SHARE Program was created by California Waterfowl-sponsored state legislation in 2003 to encourage private landowners to voluntarily open their properties to hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. The bill was authored by then Assembly Member Tom Harman. Due to limited funding, for the last several years, the SHARE Program has relied heavily on the assistance of nonprofit conservation groups like California Waterfowl and COHA, and has focused mostly on waterfowl and upland game bird hunts in select areas of the state. However, DFG has recently been able to secure several wild pig and elk hunts.

Programs similar to SHARE have opened up millions of acres of land to public access across at least 18 other states. These programs have been well received by both hunters and landowners alike, and have fostered improved relations between sportsmen and the agricultural and ranching communities.

“We are excited for this opportunity to expand the SHARE program,” said John McCamman, Director of DFG. “This funding will allow us to create public access to additional lands for wildlife-dependent recreational activities.”

With the new funding, the SHARE Program is expected to expand over time into a statewide program with a wide variety of game bird and big game hunting opportunities. In particular, the program should provide improved hunter access to wild pig and wild turkey populations, two species for which there are currently only limited public hunting opportunities available.

California Waterfowl is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve California’s waterfowl, wetland, and our hunting heritage. For more information, visit www.calwaterfowl.org.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance(COHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting hunting and promoting wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

The Mission of the Department of Fish and Game is to manage California‘s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Newhall, CA --(Ammoland.com)- The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) and Uncommon Dialogue Films are pleased to present the “2011 Courage in Entertainment Award” to actor Joe Mantegna at the Oak Tree Gun Club on Saturday, June 11th.

Mantegna is being presented the award for his exceptional support of shooting, the Second Amendment, hunting, fishing, archery, and wildlife conservation. The award will be presented to Mantegna at the “2011 Hollywood Celebrity Sporting Clays Invitational” to be held this Saturday at the Oak Tree Gun Club, located at 23121 Coltrane Avenue, in Newhall, California.

Joe Mantegna, the Tony Award-winning star of TV’s Criminal Minds, is also well known for supporting the causes of our military veterans and our troops. Mantegna most recently hosted the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington DC.

“We are honored to be part of this great event and feel that those entertainers like Joe Mantegna who have the courage to stand up and publically support shooting, hunting and the Second Amendment need to be recognized and honored by our community,” stated Bill Gaines, President of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance and the COHA Foundation. “We are also proud to partner with well known actor, Patrick Kilpatrick, and his production company, Uncommon Dialogue Films, to present this well-deserved award to Mr. Mantegna.”

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a union of conservation organizations, outdoor industry and individuals who support wildlife conservation and the preservation of our hunting and shooting heritage. COHA is the only 501(c)4 political advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory, administrative and local government policy decisions in California which impact wildlife conservation and our outdoor traditions.

COHA Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization responsible for policy-related education and other outreach critical to the future of wildlife conservation and our hunting and shooting heritage. (Tax ID Number: 45-1258052)

The “2011 Hollywood Celebrity Sporting Clays Invitational” will be held on Saturday, June 11th, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Oak Tree Gun Club, 23121 Coltrane Avenue, Newhall, CA. For more information, contact Event Host, Patrick Kilpatrick, or Honorary Chairman and Event Co-Host Marina Susan, at (323) 252-8702 (cell), (323) 962-200 (office), (323) 962-3100 (fax) or via email at Kilpatrick203@gmail.com. For directions to the Oak Tree Gun Club please visit www.oaktreegunclub.com

Proceeds from the “2011 Hollywood Celebrity Sporting Clays Invitational” will benefit the following charitable organizations: Children of Heroes, Wounded Warriors; Guide On, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Children of Hero’s Wish Program and Gallant Few.

Two COHA-Sponsored Poaching Bills Await Floor Votes

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- AB 1162 (Chesbro) would significantly increase penalties for serious Fish and Game violations, including violations where poachers intentionally target trophy big game animals using illegal methods such as artificial lights or bait.

AB 1162 also provides for greater penalties for commercial bear violations. Revenues from the violations would be deposited in game species accounts and used for game conservation and public hunting purposes. AB 1162 is on the Assembly Floor.

SB 752 (Berryhill) would allow hunters and fishermen an opportunity to voluntarily release their contact information to non-profit conservation groups of their choice when purchasing any license through the Department of Fish and Game’s Automated License Data System (ALDS).

In doing so, the bill would help non-profit conservation groups educate sportsmen and women about their important work while facilitating additional conservation efforts at the grassroots level. SB 752 is on the Senate Floor.

For more information about these bills and other COHA efforts, please visit our website.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Bill to Require Registration of Handgun & Rifle Ammunition Nears Floor Vote

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- SB 124 would redefine “handgun ammunition” to include many commonly used rifle rounds and allow for full implementation of AB 962 – an ammunition registration law passed in 2009, portions of which were recently ruled unconstitutional by the capitolcourts.

Under the provisions of AB 962, mail order and internet sales of handgun and some rifle ammunition would essentially be banned given that all transactions must now be completed “face-to-face”.

Additionally, sportsmen and women would be forced to submit personal information when buying commonly-used sporting ammunition, even though they had already undergone an extensive background check with the purchase of the firearm.

Please contact your Legislator immediately and ask them to oppose SB 124. For more information regarding how to contact your Legislator, click here.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Shotgun and Rifle Registration Bill Up For Vote

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- AB 809 (Feuer), legislation which would require a permanent registry of long guns – including all shotguns and rifles – will be taken up on the Assembly Floor this week.

Under AB 809, those who purchase, or even transfer a shotgun or rifle will be required to permanently register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number, occupation, and sex to the California Department of Justice.

Under current law, all information provided when filling out paperwork for the purchase of a shotgun or rifle must be destroyed shortly after the ten day waiting period.

COHA views AB 809 as an extreme invasion of personal privacy masked as a crime fighting tool, particularly given that traditional sporting arms make up a very small portion of all firearms related crimes committed in California each year.

Your action is needed immediately to help defeat AB 809. Please take the time to submit a letter of opposition to your Legislator. Click here for a sample letter and contact information.

AB 809 (Feuer) – Long Gun Registration – OPPOSE
COHA is actively working to defeat AB 809 (Feuer/D-Los Angeles), legislation which proposes to expand the current handgun registration law to include all long guns by requiring the Attorney General to permanently maintain a registry of all firearms purchasers.

Under the bill’s provisions, those who purchase or transfer a shotgun or rifle would be required to register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number and occupation to the California Department of Justice.

At this point, it is unclear whether or not California’s existing handgun registration law is helping to fight crime in any meaningful way. COHA believes it is unnecessary to greatly expand the handgun registration law to include all firearms – particularly given that traditional sporting arms make up a very small fraction of all firearms related homicides in California each year.

AB 809 passed out of the Assembly Committee on Appropriations on May 27th, and is now on the Assembly Floor.
AB 809 Sample Letter

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) has introduced Assembly Bill 606, to encourage greater private landowner participation in voluntary, incentive-based conservation easement and wildlife habitat conservation programs administered by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG).

“COHA is pleased to partner with Assemblyman Gatto to fight to protect important wildlife habitat,” stated Jason Rhine with the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). “Without willing private landowners, programs such as the Permanent Wetlands Easement Program or the California Waterfowl Habitat Program will cease to exist and hundreds of wetland dependent species will greatly suffer from a lack of available habitat.”

AB 606 seeks to clarify that private landowners participating in a DFG-managed conservation easement or wildlife habitat conservation program, such as the Permanent Wetlands Easement Program, the California Waterfowl Habitat Program, and the Landowner Incentive Program, can continue to engage in hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreational activities on their property, unless expressly prohibited.

“The future of maintaining fish and wildlife populations is making sure we preserve and manage their habitats,” said George C. Thornton, National Wild Turkey Federation CEO. “Private landowners are a critical player because of their direct tie to the water and land.”

With nearly 50% of California land in private ownership, farmers, ranchers, and other landowners play an extremely important role in protecting and maintaining wildlife habitat. Often, the incentive for landowners to maintain their property for the benefit of wildlife stems from their passion to pursue our outdoor traditions.

“Voluntary wildlife habitat conservation programs preserve thousands of acres of land a year,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “If we can encourage more private landowners to participate in these programs by ensuring that they will maintain the right to recreate on their land, we could save countless more acres of disappearing wetland and riparian habitat across the state.”

“Acknowledging the role of hunting associated with conservation easements helps ensure that future generations of Californians will have the same opportunities afield as we currently enjoy. This bill is an important step in clarifying that easements are intended to maintain the habitat values associated with these special lands, not to restrict their recreational benefits,” stated John Devney, Senior Vice President Delta Waterfowl.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting hunting and promoting wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org/

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Assembly Member Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1162 to significantly increase penalties for serious poaching violations, including those which involve the illegal take of trophy big game animals.

The measure is sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).

“AB 1162 provides the Department of Fish and Game with an effective tool to protect our game and wildlife, some of California’s most valuable resources,” stated Assembly Member Chesbro. “My bill is modeled on legislation supported by hunters in other Western states where poaching has also become a big problem.”

AB 1162 would authorize significant financial penalties (up to $40,000), hunting license forfeiture and equipment seizure for poachers who intentionally target trophy big game mammals, such as deer, elk, bighorn sheep and antelope, using illegal methods. Violations involving the use of bait, the use of spotlights, the take of game outside of legal season(s) or the wanton waste of game meat would be subject to the new penalties.

Several other western states, including New Mexico and Montana, have implemented similar laws in recent years to address ongoing big game poaching problems, and the new laws have been well received by state fish and game agencies, hunters and private landowners.

In the last several years in California, there have been a number of high-profile poaching cases involving big game, including the illegal take of trophy mule deer from Yosemite National Park and the shooting and subsequent abandonment of two elk at Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterrey County.

AB 1162 would also authorize the Department of Fish and Game to seek substantially higher civil penalties for those particular poaching cases that it believes warrant additional financial penalties. Civil penalties were first authorized under the Fish and Game Code in 1988, but the maximum fines have remained essentially unchanged since then while, for example, the market price for wildlife parts has skyrocketed in many cases.

“AB 1162 would ensure that poachers pay back the entire value of wildlife they effectively stole from the public,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA.

For waterfowl, upland game bird and big game-related violations, the revenues from the additional financial penalties provided in the bill would be deposited in 3 dedicated game species accounts, and could only be used for the conservation of those particular game species. The first legislative hearing on AB 1162 will likely occur in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee in April.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting hunting and promoting wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) has introduced Senate Bill (SB) 752 to allow hunters to directly contribute to their favorite wildlife conservation organization when they purchase a hunting license or associated stamps and tags.

The legislation is sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).

SB 752 would create a sportsmen’s organization “check-off” box that would permit hunters buying their licenses through the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Automated Data License System (ALDS) to voluntarily make a donation to the non-profit hunting-related organization of their choice. Hunters would also have the opportunity to voluntarily release their contact information to the non-profit organization in order to receive educational and promotional materials.

“As a hunter, I can proudly talk of the vital role these non-profit organizations play in California,” said Senator Berryhill. “I believe this bill will go a long way to preserving and strengthening California’s rich hunting history.”

Non-profit sportsmen’s groups provide valuable assistance to DFG in the agency’s effort to conserve and manage California’s wildlife and their habitats. Projects include, but are not limited to, wetland restoration efforts, big game population surveying and research, controlled burning to improve habitat, re-forestation efforts, securing public access to land, facilitating conservation easements on private land, migratory bird banding, installing guzzlers to provide water for wildlife, and trapping and relocation efforts.

“This bill would help financially support the many non-profit groups that protect and restore game species’ habitat or carry out other critically needed conservation projects,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA.

“It would also encourage more hunters to get involved locally to assist these important conservation efforts.”

The first legislative hearing on SB 752 will likely occur in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee in April.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting hunting and promoting wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA –-(Ammoland.com)- The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is asking California hunters, as well as our 40-plus member organizations, to contact the Governor’s office as soon as possible in support of three separate pieces of state legislation.

The following COHA-sponsored bills received broad bipartisan support within the State Legislature, and are currently awaiting consideration by Governor Schwarzenegger:

• SB 1058 (Harman) would provide accountability and transparency over the expenditure of hunting license tag/stamp monies to help ensure that such monies are used for game species conservation and public hunting purposes. The bill would create a single, consolidated fiscal account for all big game tag monies, create an advisory committee of sportsmen’s groups to review and provide comment on proposed expenditures of hunting license tag/stamp monies and facilitate greater nonprofit assistance with related conservation projects. For a sample letter visit www.outdoorheritage.org
• AB 1254 (Berryhill) would authorize the Department of Fish and Game to temporarily suspend, as well as seek reimbursement of, a County’s expenditure of Fish and Game (DFG) fine monies should DFG find that the County is improperly spending such funds on purposes unrelated to fish and wildlife conservation. The bill also authorizes DFG to offer incentives (e.g. special hunting opportunities) to hunter education instructors in order to recruit and maintain a sufficient number of instructors statewide. For a sample letter for a sample letter visit www.outdoorheritage.org
• AB 979 (Berryhill) would keep local governments from arbitrarily banning or restricting hunting and fishing activities. This measure is necessary as growing urban development and other recreational uses continue to infringe on traditional hunting and fishing areas. For a sample letter visit www.outdoorheritage.org

Support letters may be faxed to the Governor at 916-558-3160. You may also email his office at http://gov.ca.gov/interact

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

California --(Ammoland.com)- Legislation is pending on the California Senate Floor that would expand the current handgun registration law to long guns by requiring the CA Attorney General to permanently maintain a registry of ALL firearms purchasers.

Under the provisions of AB 1810 (Feuer), those who purchase or transfer a shotgun or rifle will be required to register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number and occupation to the California Department of Justice. [a defacto registration of gun owners]

AB 1810 could come up for a vote on the Senate Floor at any time. Please help COHA stop AB 1810 by immediately submitting a letter of opposition to your Legislator and the full Senate.

AB 1810 (Feuer) – Long Gun Registration – OPPOSE
Please watch the above important video from Rob Olson, President of Delta Waterfowl and COHA Board Member regarding the possible impacts of AB 1810. Video Link

AB 1810 (Feuer/D-Los Angeles) proposes to expand the current handgun registration law to long guns by requiring the Attorney General to permanently maintain a registry of all firearms purchasers. Under the provisions of AB 1810 (Feuer), those who purchase or transfer a shotgun or rifle will be required to register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number and occupation to the California Department of Justice.

Unfortunately, AB 1810 raced through the Assembly earlier this summer and is moving equally quick on the Senate side. The measure passed out of Senate Appropriations Committee in early August and is now headed to the Senate Floor, where it will come up for a vote in mid August.

COHA believes that AB 1810 is an extreme invasion of personal privacy masked as an important crime fighting tool. At this point, it is unclear whether or not California’s existing handgun registration law is helping to fight crime in any meaningful way. [But it is safe to assume that it will be no different in California than any where else in the world were it has not made a difference in crime]

Therefore, it is unnecessary to greatly expand the handgun registration law to include all firearms – particularly given that traditional sporting arms make up less than 10% of all firearms related homicides in California each year.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) will continue to fight this intrusive and unnecessary measure on the Senate Floor. If you would like to assist COHA in defeating this bill in the Senate, please contact your Senate representative.

To find your Senator’s contact information click here

State Senate Sample Letter

insert date

The Honorable YOUR STATE SENATOR

RE: AB 1810 (Feuer) – Oppose

Dear YOUR STATE SENATOR:

I am writing to oppose AB 1810 (Feuer), which would require the registration of all newly purchased firearms, including shotguns and rifles commonly used for hunting purposes.

More specifically, AB 1810 would require the Attorney General of California to permanently keep and maintain a firearms registry that includes extensive personal information of all firearms purchasers. Under AB 1810, those who purchase a firearm will be required to register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number, occupation, and sex to the California Department of Justice.

AB 1810 is little more than an extreme invasion of personal privacy masked as an important crime fighting tool. At this point, it is unclear whether or not California’s existing handgun registration law is helping to fight crime in any meaningful way. Therefore, it is unnecessary to greatly expand the handgun registration law to include all firearms, particularly given that traditional sporting arms make up less than 10% of all firearms related homicides in California each year.

AB 1810 would not help law enforcement agencies solve crime, but rather unnecessarily invade the privacy of otherwise law abiding hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts. Because the bill’s negative ramifications far outweigh its potential positive benefits, I urge you to oppose AB 1810.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

AmmoLand Gun News

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) announced today that Senate Bill 1058 has passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. SB 1058 seeks to ensure that hunting license tag and stamp funds benefit game species and their habitats. The bill is sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).

“I am extremely pleased that my colleagues in the Assembly policy committee unanimously passed this important piece of conservation legislation,” said Harman. “I am hopeful it will make it all the way to the Governor for signature.”

Current law has allowed hunting tag funds to be used for non-game purposes. SB 1058 will protect these funds by requiring that, before any of the hunting tag monies can be expended, hunting-related organizations would have an opportunity to review proposed projects and provide comment to the Department of Fish and Game.

“SB 1058 will further two causes that I am passionate about: increased transparency in government spending and conservation of the environment,” Harman stated.

SB 1058, a reintroduction of Harman’s Senate Bill 589 last year, will now head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration. Senate Bill 1058 addresses concerns raised by the Administration last year when the Governor vetoed SB 589.

Senator Harman represents the cities of Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Rossmoor, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and portions of Buena Park, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Westminster.

California Foolishly Follows Canada Down the Path with an Expensive and Invasive Long Gun Registry Bill.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)- After a lengthy debate which featured passionate opposition from Assembly Members Bill Berryhill and Jim Nielsen and quotes from the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance’s opposition letter, AB 1810 passed off of the Assembly Floor this afternoon by a vote of 43-28. The measure now moves to the Senate.

Under the provisions of AB 1810 (Feuer), those who purchase or transfer a shotgun or rifle will be required to register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number and occupation to the California Department of Justice.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) will continue to fight this intrusive and unnecessary piece of Legislation as it heads to the Senate.

COHA would like to thank all of those who submitted a letter of opposition to their Assembly Member in anticipation of today’s floor vote. Watch for future Field Wires for your opportunity to assist COHA in defeating this bill in the Senate.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(AmmoLand.com)- On April 5, 2010, Assembly Member Feuer (D-Los Angeles) amended AB 1810 to require the Attorney General of California to permanently keep and maintain a firearms registry that includes extensive personal information of all firearms purchasers.

Under AB 1810, all those who purchase a firearm will be required to register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number, occupation, and sex to the California Department of Justice.

Freedom Hating California Assembly Member Feuer (D-Los Angeles)

AB 1810 is little more than an extreme invasion of personal privacy masked as an important crime fighting tool. At this point, it is unclear whether or not California’s existing handgun registration law is helping to fight crime in any meaningful way. Therefore, it is unnecessary to greatly expand the handgun registration law to include all firearms, particularly given that traditional sporting arms make up less than 10% of all firearms related homicides in California each year.

AB 1810 will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety on April 13, 2010.

• 2010 Assembly Public Saftey Committee
• COHA Opposition Letter

To join COHA in opposition to this bill, please go to www.outdoorheritage.org and click on “AB 1810″ under “Urgent Issues” for Public Safety Committee contact information.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

Southern California Pheasant Shoot

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Norco, CA --(AmmoLand.com)- 1st Annual Pheasant Hunt at Raahauge’s Pheasant Club in Norco on Friday, March 19th.

The event, which will benefit the efforts of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), will not only offer a great upland bird hunt, but also an opportunity to meet and talk with members of COHA staff and Board of Directors.

The rolling fields of Raahauge’s Pheasant Club – some of the most beautiful in Southern California – are conveniently located close to Orange County and just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles.

The fields will be made up of five person teams with four birds provided per person (cleaned). Dogs can be provided (please bring a tip for the handler). The day’s activities include a catered Mexican lunch, raffle and auction.

Registration begins at 7:00 AM at Raahauge’s Pheasant Club, 5800 Bluff St., Norco, CA. Directions can be found at: Raahauge’s Pheasant Club or call 951-738-9212.

The cost is $160 per shooter through March 10th, $200 per shooter after March 10th. Valid hunting license and upland game stamp required.

Come and enjoy a fun day in the field while doing your part to support COHA’s important fight to protect your right to hunt today, and for generations to come.

Please send your registration in to: Gretchen Heffler, So. California Director of Development, 10 Shasta Court, Oceanside, CA 92057

Ph: 760-722-6697 Fax: 760-722-6695 gretchen@outdoorheritage.org

State of California

Sacramento, CA --(AmmoLand.com)- Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) vowing to keep up the fight, re-introduced legislation today that seeks to ensure that hunting license tag and stamp funds benefit game species and their habitats.

Senate Bill 1058 will require that, before any hunting monies can be expended, hunting-related organizations would have an opportunity to review proposed projects and provide comment to the Department of Fish and Game. Not only will this create much-needed transparency, it will allow for projects to be modified to better fit the needs of game species and hunters.

“As an avid outdoorsman, I feel pretty strongly that money rightly belonging to species preservation be spent accordingly,” said Harman. “We got so close last year to fixing this problem that I just couldn’t give up the fight. People pay those fees with the expectation that the money goes where it’s supposed to go – not that the fees are sucked up by a bureaucracy for office expenses.”

Current law, particularly as it relates to bear and deer tag monies, does not always require that the monies be used for a dedicated purpose. Unfortunately, these funds have been continuously used for non-game purposes.

“This bill will ensure transparency in the spending of these funds,” said Harman. “That is something we should have in all government spending – clarity – so people know where the dollars go.”

SB 1058, sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), a sportsmen’s advocacy coalition of over 30 wildlife conservation and hunting organizations, will address the funding issue and add transparency as to how the tag and stamp fees are utilized.

“Hunters are proud of their key role in funding many of the Department of Fish and Game’s conservation activities through the purchase of hunting license stamps and tags,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA. “SB 1058 will help ensure that those important dollars are used as efficiently and effectively as possible to benefit game species and their habitats.”

SB 1058 is a reintroduction of SB 589 which passed out of the legislature with bipartisan support and was unfortunately vetoed by the Governor.

“This bill went all the way to the Governor’s desk last year. It had a lot of support and I am committed to seeing it signed into law,” said Harman. “I am working with the Governor’s office to address their concerns.”

The first hearing on SB 1058 will likely be in early April in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(AmmoLand.com)- Senator Tom Harman (R-Orange) has introduced SB 1058, COHA-sponsored state legislation which would prevent big game tag and upland bird stamp monies from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes.

A similar COHA-sponsored bill, SB 589, was vetoed by the Governor last year.

SB 1058 would mandate that all deer, elk, wild pig, antelope, bighorn sheep and bear tag revenues and upland game bird stamp monies be used to benefit those particular species, their habitats, and the users that generate them. It would also provide much-needed opportunity for sportsman’s groups to review and provide comment on proposed expenditures of the funds.

Beginning in the 1980s, a portion of hunting license tag/stamp monies were redirected away from game species conservation to other purposes. Loopholes in state law also currently allow for a significant portion of deer tag monies and all bear tag monies to be used for non-game purposes, while a large percentage of pig tag funds have also remained unspent or have been redirected in recent years.

According to data from 2006, only 62% of deer tag revenue was actually used for deer-related projects. Similarly, only 64% of wild pig tag money and 48% of wild sheep auction tag money was used for related conservation work.

SB 1058 also consolidates various existing big game species fiscal accounts into a single account, which improves efficiencies in the use of the monies and gives the Department of Fish and Game greater flexibility to benefit all big game species.

A separate provision of SB 1058 elevates hunting and fishing above other recreational uses when the Fish and Game Commission determines which uses are appropriate for DFG’s Wildlife Management Areas.

“California sportsmen and women expect their license dollars to go to the wildlife management and conservation programs they were intended for,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) director of state services. “These funds should not be spent to fix roads or patch holes in the state budget.”

SB 1058 will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee in early April. Please contact members of the Committee and urge their strong support of this much needed measure. For Legislator contact information and a sample support letter, click here.

To view Senator Harman’s press release announcing the reintroduction of the legislation, click here.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(AmmoLand.com)- Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) has introduced AB 2223, legislation which would prohibit the use of lead shot on state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) operated by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). Violators of the bill’s provisions would be subject to a $500 fine on the first offense.

The bill would not only undermine the Constitutional authority of the California Fish and Game Commission–the regulatory body tasked with determining the precise methods of take for hunting and the specific public use regulations for each WMA–but also remove any meaningful scientific review and analysis of the effects of lead shot by providing an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

In doing so, the measure ensures that politics, rather than sound science, dictates the state’s hunting regulations and management of wildlife.

According to proponents, the bill is intended to reduce alleged lead shot-induced mortality to mourning doves (the most populous game bird in North America) as well as to raptors that feed on doves and other small game. Yet, only a portion of the WMAs across the state provide significant dove hunting opportunity, and fields that are heavily hunted for dove are typically disked on an annual basis by DFG so as to make most lead pellets unavailable to wildlife.

In addition, raptor populations on WMA’s remain at very high levels, while there has reportedly been no documented incidents of raptors succumbing to lead shot poisoning.

“I’ve hunted two dozen WMAs across the state for just about every upland game bird and small game species, and the one thing you notice is that each area is unique in terms of species, topography, management practices and degree of hunter pressure,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA.

“AB 2223 wrongly mandates a ‘one-size fits all’ approach without a single WMA-specific study demonstrating significant impacts from the ongoing use of lead shot on wildlife.”

“These issues should be decided by the state’s wildlife management professionals on a case by case basis,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) director of state services. “Science, not politics or public opinion, should be the basis for these decisions.”

AB 2223 is sponsored by the Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife and Humane Society of the United States. The first hearing will likely be in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee in early April. For the Committee’s contact information to voice opposition to the bill, click here..

COHA Sponsored Shooter Michael J. Flores

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, CA –-(AmmoLand.com)- USA Shooting, the national governing body for Olympic shooting sports, announced the selection of Michael J. Flores to the 2010 National Junior Olympic Shotgun team. Flores is one of just nine young men selected from across the country and the one and only Californian. Young Mr. Flores is sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA)

“It feels great to earn this recognition. I want my supporters to know this is as much their accomplishment as mine,” said Michael Flores. “I am proud to wear the letters USA. But I won’t let the celebration overshadow the work ahead to pursue my Olympic dreams.”

The Junior Olympic team is selected annually by the USA Shooting National Shotgun Coach based on an individual shooter’s performance in the previous year’s shooting events, including the National Junior Olympics and National Championships. Other considerations for selection include a candidate’s volunteer activities, academic performance and the National Coach’s judgment on the shooter’s potential for future success.

Flores captured the 2009 California State Championship, as the youngest ever to win the title at 14 years of age. He went on to win the 2009 Canadian National Junior Open Championships in Vancouver, Canada. And, as a member of the Scholastic Clay Target Team in 2009, Flores won the gold medal at the California Junior Olympics and the bronze medal at the National Junior Olympic Championships.

Flores was 10 years old when his shooting talents were first discovered at COHA’s 2005 California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus event. Bill Gaines, the President of COHA, was excited by Flores skills and offered COHA’s sponsorship.

“Flores demonstrated great potential, not only in shooting but in his ability to be a great ambassador for the conservation community and outdoor enthusiasts,” said Gaines. “His selection to the Junior Olympic Team is proof of that. The outdoor community is proud of him.”

Arguably, Flores’ proudest supporters, his parents – Michael and Melissa, listened as Flores read the congratulatory letter aloud. Friends and other family members were quickly informed as phone calls were made.

Flores’ first call was to his coach, Josh Lakatos, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist.

The coach offered his congratulations and told Flores’, “Now we have our work cut out for us. Let’s go to work!”

Next month, Flores will travel to Ft. Benning, Georgia to compete in the Spring Preliminary Tryouts, attempting to win a spot on the World Cup team. Flores’ ultimate goal is participating in the 2016 Olympics.

COHA Sponsored Shooter Michael J. Flores

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a partnership of conservation organizations, outdoor industry, other related interests and individuals who support science-based wildlife management and the preservation of our hunting rights in California. COHA is a 501(c)4 Political Advocacy organization dedicated solely to influencing legislative, regulatory and administrative policy decisions which promote wildlife conservation and our outdoor heritage. For more information about COHA, visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA –-(AmmoLand.com)- The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is proposing a number of changes to the 2010 black bear hunting regulations in an effort to better manage the state’s burgeoning bear population, which has expanded well beyond its traditional range and has quadrupled in the last 25 years to upwards of 38,000 animals.

The regulatory changes include raising the annual harvest quota, which is currently set at only 1,700 bears, and expanding existing bear hunting zones to include portions of Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Modoc and Lassen Counties. These changes will help reduce private property damage and other human-bear conflicts, which have increased significantly in recent decades, while providing for expanded bear hunting opportunity for the public.

CDFG is also proposing to eliminate a prohibition on the use of Global Position Systems (GPS) to locate hounds used to tree bears. Hounds may become lost in the woods during hunting season, often for days at a time, or may be injured or killed by vehicles. Lifting the prohibition on GPS would help to ensure the safety of the dogs while allowing hunters to keep their dogs away from private property or other restricted areas.

“GPS dog recovery solutions are already legal for pets and dogs used for bird hunting in California, and legal for hounds in dozens of other states, provinces, and countries,” said Josh Brones, Legislative Analyst for California Houndsmen for Conservation. “It’s time that California’s hounds enjoy the same welfare and protection.”

Current sales of bear hunting tags generate about $900,000 in funding for bear-related research and other wildlife conservation activities. While the state’s ongoing budget crisis has limited conservation efforts in some areas, bear tag monies have remained a reliable but critical source of funding to conserve bear populations and protect wildlife habitat.

In 2008, the success rate for bear hunters averaged about 8%, with many hunters spending days or even weeks in the field without actually harvesting a bear. For those lucky enough to harvest one, bear meat is often shared with friends and family during holidays and other special occasions.

“The regulatory package put forward by Fish and Game is based in sound science, and would help to maintain healthy black bear populations over the long-term,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance.

The California Fish and Game Commission accepted public comment on the bear hunting regulations at its February 4th meeting in Sacramento, and will make a final decision on the proposed regulatory package in April.

California Houndsmen for Conservation

The California Houndsmen for Conservation (CHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the use of hounds as both a time-honored piece of American culture and a sound means of wildlife management. For more information, visit www.californiahoundsmen.com.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting our hunting heritage and promoting wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org/

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA - -(AmmoLand.com)- In a move that further validates California as the front line in the nationwide fight to protect the future of hunting, the California State Legislature has laid claim to the first ever Caucus formed solely to push an animal rights agenda.

According to a press release issued by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the new “Animal Protection Caucus” – co-chaired by Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter), Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks), Assembly Member Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita), and Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) – will serve to highlight important issues affecting animals and to educate legislators and their staff on the need for “sensible” animal protection legislation.

This bold move by certain members of the California Legislature and the animal rights community clearly demonstrates their focus on California and their increased priority of passing legislation in our state that directly challenges your freedom to hunt.

“Although it may be unfathomable, hunters and other conservationists have just been served serious notice that California will now face even greater challenges to our outdoor traditions,” stated California Outdoor Heritage Alliance President, Bill Gaines.

California’s outdoorsmen and women simply have no choice but to ensure their voice is loud and united in the halls of the State Capitol by supporting the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) and COHA’s Political Action Committee (COHA PAC).

Do your part – unite with COHA and help meet this challenge by joining COHA at Join COHA.

http://www.outdoorheritage.org/donate.php

Support COHA PAC and enter to win great prizes by purchasing tickets for the COHA PAC raffle at COHA PAC. COHA PAC funds are only used to help elect pro-hunting candidates for statewide public office

To view the HSUS press release: http://tiny.cc/radicalhsus

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 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

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA - -(AmmoLand.com)- As of January 1st, several new laws sponsored or supported by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) have gone into effect which will benefit hunters and provide more hunting opportunity in the field.

First, penalties for hunter harassment have appropriately been increased to a possible misdemeanor on the first offense, while field trials and related hunting dog training are now legally protected activities. Also, commercial hunting club license fees imposed by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) have been substantially reduced, with most hunting clubs seeing their annual fees cut nearly in half. In addition, California’s private lands hunting program (SHARE Program) has finally been formally established as a statewide program, paving the way for significant new hunting opportunity for the public in future years.

Other positive legal changes written by COHA include new laws which: a) reduce penalties for hunters who have been cited for not having their hunting license in the field, but who can produce it in court; b) allow hunters to shoot across roads and other ways open to the public when it can be done in a reasonably safe manner; c) make it a crime to remove the collar of a hunting dog without written permission of the owner; and, d) require the Wildlife Conservation Board, in acquiring land for hunting and fishing purposes, to take into consideration those areas of the state most in need of increased hunting and fishing access.

COHA also teamed with DFG to substantially increase penalties and fines for egregious cases of poaching. Violators can now face tens of thousands of dollars in fines and possibly have their hunting license revoked for life.

COHA thanks Assembly Members Tom Berryhill (D-Modesto) and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) for their considerable efforts to support and pass these legislative provisions.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA - -(AmmoLand.com)- Today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released his proposed FY 2010/2011 state budget, which seeks to close a massive $21 billion dollar deficit.

To help bridge the budget shortfall, Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing to raid hunting and fishing program funding by $5 million dollars.

The Governor’s budget summary did not provide any detail on where the cuts to these programs would be made and/or how they would affect hunters and anglers.

The Governor’s budget proposal must now go to the State Legislature for consideration, with the intention being for the Governor and the Legislature to reach agreement on the final budget by the beginning of the new state fiscal year on July 1st, 2010. California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) staff will be actively engaged throughout the Legislature’s review of the budget package to minimize cuts to these important programs.

Click here for the Governor’s FY 2010/2011 State Budget Summary.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

OMAHA, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Wildlife tend to migrate and feed along the edges of freshly harvested fields making these areas prime hunting spots. With many fields adjacent to Union Pacific Railroad tracks, hunters find it very tempting to hunt on or near the tracks. Union Pacific urges hunters to resist that temptation, and for their safety, avoid railroad property this hunting season.

“As hunters head outdoors this year, we want to remind them that walking on or near railroad tracks is extremely dangerous because you never know when a train will come along,” said Dennis Jenson, assistant vice president-chief of police.

“It can take a mile or more to stop a train and by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it would be too late,” said Dale Bray, director – public safety. “Locomotives and rail cars overhang the tracks by at least three feet on either side of the rail and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are next to the tracks, you can be hit by the locomotive, a rail car or anything that may be hanging loose from the car,” added Bray.

Hunters are not the only ones drawn to railroad tracks – hikers, bikers, fishermen and snowmobilers are as well. To ensure an enjoyable hunting season this fall, COHA urges the hunting community to heed this safety warning of our close partners at Union Pacific.

Through September of this year, more than 32,000 people have been caught trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property. Trespassers on railroad property can be arrested for violating trespassing laws. If they are caught, they could serve jail time and/or have to pay a fine. Anyone choosing to walk on or near railroad tracks could face more dire consequences. Last year, 458 people died and 426 were injured while trespassing on the property of railroads throughout the United States.

In an effort to educate the public about pedestrian and grade crossing safety, Union Pacific works closely with Operation Lifesaver. Operation Lifesaver is a national, nonprofit education and awareness program dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad tracks. To accomplish its mission, Operation Lifesaver promotes education, enforcement and engineering. More information about Operation Lifesaver can be found at www.oli.org.

Do not become a railroad statistic; stay away from railroad tracks.

About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and provides Americans with a fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly and safe mode of freight transportation. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad emphasizes excellent customer service and offers competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico.

For additional information, contact Mark Davis at (402) 544-5459 or via email at mwdavis@up.com Editor’s Note: Audio clips of Dale Bray, UP’s director – public safety and Bob Resch, UP’s manger – public safety, regarding the dangers of hunting on railroad tracks are available from Union Pacific Railroad’s Web site at www.up.com attached to this news release under Media and News Releases.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA - -(AmmoLand.com)- After more than 3 years of lobbying efforts, the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) has succeeded in including $110 million for waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation efforts in a statewide bond measure that, with the Governor’s expected signature, will appear on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

COHA was pleased to work with its founding member, California Waterfowl, as well as its conservation partners, Ducks Unlimited and the Grasslands Water District, to include this important funding as part of an overall $11.14 billion water bond package.

The measure, entitled the “Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010″, includes language COHA helped draft which calls for “at least $100 million” to be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the purchase of water rights and water conveyance infrastructure for wildlife refuges and habitat areas under the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA). These waterfowl habitat areas include Central Valley National Wildlife Refuges, state Wildlife Management Areas and private duck clubs within the Grasslands Resource Conservation District in Merced County – areas which provide significant hunting opportunity for waterfowl, pheasant and other game birds.

The measure also includes COHA written language which would provide an additional $10 million for private lands wetland conservation programs administered by the Department of Fish and Game – including the California Waterfowl Habitat Program (i.e. Presley Program) – that offer financial incentives to duck clubs and other private landowners to protect and enhance the wildlife values of their property.

COHA wishes to thank Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Fresno), the author of the bond measure, as well as Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Members Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) and Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), for their considerable efforts to include our funding provisions. To take effect, the measure must be approved by the California electorate on November 2010 statewide ballot.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(AmmoLand.com)-Two other wildlife conservation bills supported by COHA were also recently signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.

AB 94 (Evans) extends the “Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Act” for five years and deletes the monetary limit on the award of tax credits pursuant to the Act. The bill maintains important financial incentives offered through the Act for private property owners to voluntarily contribute lands to the State of California, local governments or nonprofits at a reduced cost to the public. Such lands not only have significant wildlife conservation values, but may also provide much-needed recreational opportunities for the public, including hunting and fishing.

SB 448 (Pavley) creates the “California Safe Harbor Agreement Program Act” to encourage private landowners to voluntarily manage their property for the benefit of threatened and endangered species without being subject to additional regulatory restrictions. This is an appropriate legal approach in COHA’s view, since additional take regulations would hinder conservation efforts in many cases by compelling landowners to not participate in habitat protection programs. By ensuring that the program creates a “net conservation benefit” without jeopardizing the continued existence of a particular species, COHA believes the bill will improve land management practices in a landowner-friendly manner.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA --(AmmoLand.com)-During the 2009 State Legislative Session, COHA was successful in inserting several pro-hunting amendments into AB 1442 (Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee).

The bill was ultimately signed into law on October 11th. The COHA-drafted language will do the following:

1. Authorize the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to secure voluntary easements on private land to create public access for recreational activities, such as hunting and fishing opportunities.
2. Require WCB, in acquiring land for hunting and fishing purposes, to consider those areas of the state in which public access and opportunity for those activities is most needed.
3. Make technical changes to provisions of law relating to shooting near roads and other ways open to the public to ensure that hunting can continue to safely and legally occur in those areas.
4. Make it a crime to remove the collar of a hunting dog without the written permission of the owner.
5. Reduce penalties for hunters who have been cited for not having their hunting license in the field but can produce the license in court.

A separate provision in AB 1442 that was supported by COHA creates a voluntary stamp that may be purchased at Fish and Game license offices to support California Game Wardens.

COHA appreciates the willingness of Assembly Member Jared Huffman and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee to include these important provisions in AB 1442.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, California --(AmmoLand.com)- On October 11th, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 708 (Huffman), a measure that seeks to combat illegal commercialization and egregious poaching of California’s fish and game resources by establishing mandatory minimum fines and jail time for those that violate the law.

Specifically, AB 708 would establish a fine of $5000 to $40,000 and/or impose a penalty of up to one year in county jail for violators who are convicted of illegally selling, purchasing, or trading any amphibian, bird, fish, mammal, or reptile for profit or personal gain. AB 708 also increases the fine and jail time for those who egregiously violate the daily bag limit or possession limit of fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians or mammals. Additionally, an individual convicted of violating any provision of AB 708 would be subject to possible permanent hunting or fishing license revocation.

“Poaching has, and continues to be a problem for certain species – most notably, big game. Several recent high profile poaching cases involving deer and antelope have further demonstrated the need for tougher criminal penalties for those who have no respect for the law,” stated Miles Moretti, President/ CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation and Board Member of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).

When AB 708 was first introduced it arguably cast far too wide a net and could have criminalized otherwise law abiding hunters and anglers. After working closely with Assembly Member Huffman, his staff, the Department of Fish and Game and other conservation partners, COHA was able to help amend AB 708 to more narrowly target illegal commercialization and flagrant poaching of California’s fish and game resources.

As signed by the Governor, AB 708 would only apply to those that illegally sell, purchase, or trade fish and game or to individuals that illegally possess more than three times the daily bag or possession limit. AB 708 also clarifies that an individual may possess unlabeled migratory birds, such as waterfowl, dove and band-tailed pigeons, as authorized by federal waterfowl regulations. Additionally, AB 708 does not impact a person’s ability to gift a possession limit of fish or game to another person, regardless of whether or not both parties reside in the same dwelling.

“Hunters pride themselves on protecting wildlife and thus have no respect for poachers. AB 708 strikes a better balance between cracking down on illicit poaching and commercialization of game species, while not inadvertently criminalizing law abiding sportsmen and women,” declared Jason Rhine, Director of Advocacy for the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit our website.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA –-(AmmoLand.com)- Two separate state bills were recently signed into law to protect hunters using dogs from anti-hunting activity. The measures, which take effect January 1st, were sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) and supported by the California Houndsmen for Conservation (CHC), U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), California Retriever Training Association (CRTA), and National Open Field Coursing Association (NOFCA).

AB 1423 (Berryhill) will make it a crime to willfully interfere with hunting dog training and related hunt tests and field trials, while AB 1442 (Huffman) will make it unlawful to remove a collar from a hunting dog in the field without written permission from the owner. Both provisions could be punishable as misdemeanors on the first offense, with violators facing a possible six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

“The use of dogs in hunting is not only an important conservation tool, but greatly enriches the overall hunting experience,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA. “In our view, every effort should be made to increase the legal protections for that time-honored practice.”

The measures come in response to recent incidents across the country and in California of members of the public harassing licensed hunters afield with their dogs, particularly hunters who are training their dogs on game birds or mammals prior to hunting season. In most cases, the offending individuals personally disapproved of hunting or training dogs on live animals.

In several incidents, individuals removed tracking collars and left them in the woods in an attempt to keep hunters from recovering their dogs. This action not only disrupted hunting activities, but jeopardized the retrieval and safety of the dogs.

On a related note, two other state measures opposed by COHA, CHC, NOFCA, CRTA and USSA that would have negatively impacted hunting dog breeders were vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. AB 241 (Nava) would have banned large-scale dog breeding operations. AB 1122 (Lieu) would have prohibited the sale of dogs on certain property open to the public.

“We’re extremely pleased with the passage of these two important measures,” said Evan Heusinkveld, director of state services for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Coupled with the Governor’s veto of AB 241 and AB 1122 and the failure of the spay/neuter bill, it’s been a good few weeks for California sporting dog owners. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of California’s sporting dog community.”

“It is pleasing to see bills signed into affect which protect the working dogs of hunters and others afield,” said California Houndsmen for Conservation President, John W. Kunkle. “The anti-hunting movement has proven to be such a menace to not only the traditional American hunter but to most of the very animals they allegedly wish to protect. The California voting public at large recognizes this and I am proud to see the Governor take measurable positive action. I hope this type of reasonable conduct and genuine concern for true working animals continues from the public as well as our legislatures.”

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a 501(c) 4 nonprofit political advocacy organization founded by the California Waterfowl Association (CWA) to protect our hunting heritage and promote wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org/

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA –-(AmmoLand.com)- Despite garnering near unanimous support in the State Legislature, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed Senate Bill 589, which would have prevented hunting license tag/stamp monies from being misused for non-game conservation or non-hunting purposes.

The bill was authored by Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) and sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), a political advocacy organization representing more than 30 hunting and conservation organizations.

“The issue of tag fees being used inappropriately is not going away and I will continue working to address this problem,” said Senator Harman. “For years sportsman have sat by and watched money – that was supposed to go to species preservation – be used for anything but. Senate Bill 589 would have added much needed transparency and honesty to how the Department of Fish and Game uses our tag money. It is a shame the Governor missed an opportunity to set things right and help protect the rich heritage of outdoor sports in California.”

“Hunters are sick and tired of seeing their tag and stamp fees siphoned off for unrelated purposes. The Governor’s failure to sign this bill, along with his recent efforts to raid $30 million from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, will only feed the longstanding cynicism within the hunting community that many of their dollars are being wasted” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA.

Since the 1980s, a portion of hunting license tag and stamp monies has been redirected away from game species conservation to other unrelated purposes. Loopholes in state law also allow for a significant portion of deer tag monies and all bear tag monies to be used for non-game purposes, while a large percentage of pig tag funds have also been redirected or simply gone unspent.

According to California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) data from 2006, only 62% of deer tag revenue was actually used for deer-related projects, while only 64% of wild pig tag money and 48% of wild sheep auction tag money was expended for related conservation work.

To more fully address these problems over the long-term, SB 589 would have mandated that all user fee revenues (about $9.5 million total) from the sale of bear, elk, wild sheep, antelope, wild pig, deer and upland game bird tags and stamps be used for related conservation activities and public hunting purposes.

In addition, DFG would have been required to consult with non-profit sportsmen’s organizations on all proposed conservation projects funded from the fees, while facilitating the cost-effective assistance of the nonprofits in completing the projects. DFG would have also been required to post a description of each completed project on its website, allowing hunters to see how their monies are used on the ground.

The Governor’s veto message stated that “The creation of more dedicated accounts and reserving more funds for those accounts will only increase the complexity of the Department’s fiscal management…as well as reduce the Department’s flexibility to appropriately administer hunting programs.”

However, rather than creating more accounts and increasing budget complexity, SB 589 would have in reality simplified DFG’s budgeting by consolidating several existing big game species fiscal accounts into one single account. And, contrary to the Governor’s statement, the bill would have actually given DFG greater flexibility to benefit all big game species by allowing big game tag funds to be used interchangeably.

COHA will continue to maintain as a top priority the passing of legislation which prohibits inappropriate redirection of hunter generated game revenues to non-related uses.

“The Governor missed an opportunity to gain back the confidence of the outdoor community by providing much needed transparency and accountability over the state expenditure of hunter generated dollars,” said Bill Gaines, COHA President. “As a result, the hunting community is likely to overwhelmingly oppose any future effort to address budget shortfalls via the raising of existing hunting related fees or the creation of new hunter related revenue streams.”

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization founded by the California Waterfowl Association (CWA) to protect our hunting heritage and promote wildlife conservation. For more information, visit www.outdoorheritage.org/

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, California –-(AmmoLand.com)- On October 11th, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1423, a measure authored by Assembly Member Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) that significantly reduces existing commercial hunting club license fees; promotes full implementation of California’s “public access to private lands” hunting program (SHARE); and expands and increases penalties for willfully interfering with hunting, fishing, trapping, falconry and recreational shooting activities. AB 1423 was sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done on AB 1423,” stated Assembly Member Berryhill. “This is an important bill which will substantially promote hunting opportunities in our state and help protect hunters in the field. It was a pleasure working with the staff of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) and, while the bill was met with its share of resistance, this is a victory for Californian’s who share a common affinity for outdoor recreation.”

AB 1423 will help maintain and improve hunting opportunity in our state by keeping hundreds of commercial hunting operations across the state in business. Specifically, AB 1423 will control fees assessed to commercial hunting clubs by prohibiting the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) from charging a separate permit fee for each individual property or parcel used for commercial hunting purposes. Prior to AB 1423, commercial hunting clubs were charged $376 for each property in their control, putting some larger clubs at risk by subjecting them to several thousands of dollars in annual fees. AB 1423 eliminates DFG’s current fee schedule, instead establishing a much lower sliding scale fee structure ranging from $200 for one property managed by a club to a maximum of $2,000 annually for 11 or more properties per club.

Additionally, AB 1423 will facilitate full implementation of the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program – a “public access to private lands” hunting program – and greatly facilitate its ability to attract federal funding made available in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under AB 1423, the SHARE Program will now be allowed to expand from what is currently a small, regional pilot program for waterfowl to a statewide hunting access program for all game species. AB 1423 will help SHARE provide California’s public with relatively low cost, high quality hunting access to the lands of willing private landowners throughout the state.

Lastly, AB 1423 strengthens the criminal penalties for members of the public interfering with hunting, fishing, trapping, falconry and recreational shooting so that it may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor on the first offense. Additionally, AB 1423 expands the definition of lawfully protected activities to include hunting dog training and field trials. The bill also specifically bans such actions as 1) placing gates or barricades to block access to public lands without authorization and 2) placing bait on property so as to prevent lawful hunting.

“AB 1423 clearly demonstrates COHA’s commitment to making positive change on behalf of sportsmen and women in California,” stated Jason Rhine of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance. “By working together, hunters can help ensure that future generation will have an opportunity to take part in our hunting heritage.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

AB 241 (Nava) – Restrictions on Dog Breeders
AB 241 (Nava) would ban large-scale dog breeding operations (50 dogs or greater), including those which sell dogs used for hunting and field trialing purposes. COHA opposes this legislation because it establishes an arbitrary, maximum number of dogs which may be offered for sale that does not necessarily relate to the health and safety conditions under which the dogs are kept. In addition, current law already provides many of the legal tools necessary to ensure the proper care and treatment of dogs, making much of AB 241 unnecessary.

Similar to the recently defeated SB 250 (Florez), AB 241 would also allow local governments to adopt dog breeding regulations more restrictive than what is provided in the bill, creating additional problems for hunting dog breeders in certain counties.

AB 962 (De Leon) – Ban on Internet/Mail Order Sale of Ammunition
AB 962 (De Leon) would, among other things, effectively ban mail order and internet sales of handgun ammunition, and require purchasers of handgun ammunition to provide detailed personal information – including their thumbprint, name, address, driver’s license number, and amount of ammunition purchased.

AB 962 would create a serious disincentive for the law abiding public to purchase handgun ammunition and therefore participate in hunting and other legal shooting activities. By essentially banning mail order and internet sales of handgun ammunition (given that all transactions must be completed “face-to-face”), AB 962 forces sportsmen and women to rely entirely on local ammunition dealers who may charge higher prices or may not have available all handgun ammunition calibers and types. In addition, the measure unnecessarily requires individuals to submit personal information simply to buy commonly used sporting ammunition, even though current law already mandates an extensive background check with each firearm purchase.

The Governor could act on either of these two bills at anytime. Please help COHA and our members and partners stop these unnecessary bills by contacting the Governor to voice your opposition TODAY!

The Governor’s contact information is below:

Click here to email the Governor

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA currently represents the political interests of nearly every major wildlife conservation organization active in California – including California Waterfowl, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, California Houndsmen for Conservation, Mule Deer Foundation, California Bowmen Hunters, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, numerous hunting clubs and other outdoor interests. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association.

For more information on COHA’s membership and efforts visit www.outdoorheritage.org.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

California --(AmmoLand.com)- At their August 6th meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission voted 4-1 not to expand the ban on the use of lead ammunition to the taking of small and migratory upland game in the range of the California condor.

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) joined the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), California Rifle and Pistol Association and the NRA in testifying against the proposed expansion at the hearing, noting that the best available science simply does not warrant such a move.

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) also recommended against an expansion of the lead ban. The Commission’s negative vote on the expansion proposal maintains the ability of hunters to use traditional lead ammunition for small and upland game in the range of the condor.

Currently, non-toxic loads are required for the hunting of big game within the range of the condor pursuant to the passage of AB 821 in 2007 and the promulgation of detailed Commission regulations which followed the passage of the measure. DFG was required to offer the expansion of the ban to small and upland game as an “alternative” within the 2009 season regulatory package, and the Commission had to consider the alternative, pursuant to the recent settlement of a long-standing lawsuit filed by several environmental organizations.

For the past several months, COHA has been closely monitoring the DFG analysis of this possible regulation change and working with DFG and our partners to ensure that the final regulation adopted by the Commission was based purely on science, and not the emotions surrounding the general lead bullet debate.

In their testimony, COHA noted that – in contrast to big game – the carcasses of small and upland game are removed from the field in their entirety, leaving no gut piles or other body parts for condors to feed upon.

Further, COHA noted that, according to DFG records, there is no single documented incident of a condor feeding on small or upland game. Finally, COHA pointed out that Commission adoption of a ban on lead ammunition for the hunting of small and upland game was not required in the state legislation (AB 821) that mandated the use of non-toxic loads for big game, nor was it required by the recent lawsuit settlement.

When the original lead ban legislation, AB 2123, was first being considered in the California State Legislature in 2006, COHA’s initial opposition convinced the bill’s author, Assembly Member Pedro Nava, to exclude small and upland game from the bill. A short time later, COHA played a key role in killing AB 2123 in committee.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA currently represents the political interests of nearly every major wildlife conservation organization active in California – including California Waterfowl, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, California Houndsmen for Conservation, Mule Deer Foundation, California Bowmen Hunters, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, numerous hunting clubs and other outdoor interests. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association.

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - -(AmmoLand.com)- The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) took another step forward in their efforts to unite the political voice of California’s wildlife conservation interests recently when the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) President and CEO, Miles Moretti, joined the COHA Board of Directors. Mr. Moretti was officially approved as a member of the COHA Board at the annual “Meeting of the COHA Members” held in late April at the Quail Point Hunt Club in Zamora.

“The Mule Deer Foundation is well aware that the greatest immediate threat to the future of our hunting heritage is from political decisions. We are also aware that the state where our community is at most risk is California. With the rest of the nation always looking to follow California’s lead, it is critical that MDF take a stand in this trendsetting state,” stated Miles. “I have always believed that by working together for a common purpose, we are more effective than when we work alone. COHA provides the opportunity for MDF and others that care about our outdoor and hunting heritage to have a strong voice in the world of California politics.” In addition to committing the time of their President and CEO to COHA’s management team, MDF has also contributed $25,000 to COHA’s annual operations.

In taking a seat on the COHA Board of Directors, Mr. Moretti and MDF have joined ranks with top management representatives of three other leading wildlife conservation organizations who also serve on the Board – including the President of Delta Waterfowl, Rob Olson, National Wild Turkey Federation Board Member and Treasurer, Vince Rosdahl, and California Waterfowl Association Board Members Jim Waters, Yancey Forest-Knowles and Mike Eberhard.

“We are proud to have Mr. Moretti join our Board, and honored to have the Mule Deer Foundation as a member of our growing alliance of wildlife organizations, industry and individuals who care deeply about the future of wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage,” stated COHA President, Bill Gaines. “MDF clearly recognizes the significant national impact of political decisions made in California, and we are pleased to have MDF working closely with our Alliance to address these challenges.”

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA currently represents the political interests of nearly every major wildlife conservation organization active in California – including California Waterfowl, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Deer Association, California Houndsmen for Conservation, Mule Deer Foundation, California Bowmen Hunters, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, numerous hunting clubs and other outdoor interests. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association.

For more information on COHA’s membership and efforts visit www.outdoorheritage.org.