As we begin the Year 2000, let us all make a commitment to instill in the young people of our country a deep understanding and appreciation of our "hunting heritage" so that they will strive to see that these traditions are passed along to following generations and into the NEXT century. Before you are tempted to say "pshaw!"arid .slough off this RESPONSIBILITY that we have to preserve these traditions, stop for a moment and reflect:

One hundred years ago the majority of Americans lived on farms; "everybody" hunted, fished and a great many people trapped to supplement income. One hundred years ago, nobody-even in their wildest dreams would believe that their own Government would attempt to subvert the intent of the Second Amendment that GUARANTEES Americans the RIGHT to keep and bear arms. One hundred years ago there were societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals and Anti-Vivisection societies, but someone walking around dressed up like a carrot asking children, "Does your food have a face?" would have been locked away in an insane asylum instead of getting news coverage.

Now most of the population is 3 generations removed from the farm. Fewer and fewer of us derive our livelihood from livestock or farming. The only contact many people have with animals is as PETS, or, as the Animal Rights folks prefer to say, "companion animals." Less than 10%- of the population are hunters. In 1998 sixty-two well-meaning Animal Cruelty Bills swamped the Legislatures of 31 states. While the authors of these Bills have good intentions, and the majority of these are drafted without any intent to hurt hunting or hunters, they are championed by Animal Rights organizations because the language usually seeks to ensure proper shelter and regulate transportation and tends to treat all dogs the same whether they are house pets or working dogs. The idea that a coonhound or pointer should be treated any differently than a teacup Poodle is a new concept to many lawmakers. Remember that the majority of elected officials come from the city. There are more of "them" than there are of US.

Enter the "Antis," in the guise of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Fund for Animals, PETA and numerous other Animal Rights organizations. The HSUS's mission is to bankroll attempts all over the country to END hunting, via the ballot, in the courts, the State Legislatures and in the Congress. Should we be surprised to learn that the HSUS has been instrumental in drafting several of these Bills in which sportsmen have found problems? The Antis have filed suits in Federal Courts contesting the use of revenues from hunting and fishing license fees for the development of wildlife management areas, wildlife studies, and they have tried to severely limit or prohibit hunting on Public Lands. They have harassed hunters afield, formed human barricades to block access roads to hunting areas and in September of last year, ALF members bragged about vandalizing three sporting clubs in Maine. Vandals turned on coffee pots and propane tanks, attempting to blow up or burn down the buildings and stole the mounted trophies in all 3 attacks, ostensibly to "return them to their natural environment to rest in peace."

While I am aware of no attempts to curtail COON HUNTING at this time, the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Assn. is again working to defeat proposed legislation which would stop hunting bear with hounds. Voters defeated a similar Bill two years ago, but Rep..Frank Boyle won't give up. His AB 125 will prohibit the hunting of bear with dogs, the training of dogs for hunting bear and authorizes Game Wardens to kill any dog running bear. So, you ask, what does this have to do with COON HUNTINO? This is an attempt to curtail a form of hunting with hounds/dogs. The Antis target a small segment of the hunting population: "Why should I care about bear hunters. I don't do that?" Cougar hunting with hounds was eliminated in Oregon 4 years ago with that attitude; similar laws were enacted in California. Michigan bear hunters were faced with a similar challenge and won at the ballot box. In Wisconsin, a second bill has been introduced that would allow Game Wardens to shoot "any dog running at large," no matter if the dog is trailing game. We should be aware of and work to defeat ANY legislation ANYWHERE that would restrict or prohibit the free casting of hounds/hunting dogs. Make it YOUR business to be informed about what's going on in your State Legislatures! Thirteen years ago an Activist magazine, ANIMALS AGENDA, published "The Agenda for the Animal Rights Activist Movement." This is the world they are in the process of legislating into existance:

1. Abolish by law all animal research.

2. Outlaw the use of animals for cosmetic and product testing, classroom demonstrations and in weapons development.

3. Vegetarian meals should be made available at all public institutions including schools.

4. Eliminate ALL animal agriculture.

5. No herbicides, pesticides or other chemicals should be used. Outlaw predator control.

6. Transfer enforcement of animal welfare legislation away from the Dept. of Agriculture.

7. Eliminate fur ranching and end the use of furs.

8. Prohibit hunting, trapping and fishing.

9. End the international trade in wildlife goods.

10. Stop any further breeding of companion animals that INCLUDES purebred dogs and cats. Spaying and neutering should be subsidized by the state and municipal governments. Abolish commerce in animals for the pet trade.

11. End the use of animals in entertainment and sports.

12. Prohibit the genetic manipulation of the species.

If any of us derive our livings or participate directly or indirectly in ANY type of animal husbandry, these tenets should grab our attention. We obviously own and hunt and/or show dogs, because we're reading this article. Goals 8 thru 11 should be of specific interest to us. But how many people do you know who have benefited from medical procedures that were "tried out" on animals before being used to help humans? Do you raise horses or mules or know anyone who does? No predator control? Children have been attacked in their back yards by coyotes and cougars in California when predator control was banned. Number 5 should interest all of us. Remember the Love Canal "scandal" several years ago? The Antis espouse elimination of the use of chemicals, but refuse to wear leather or fur. "Love Canals" can happen when synthetic materials are manufactured by chemical companies. Fur and leather are RENEWABLE natural resources. Think about it!

In 1999 the Fund for Animals folks asked for a tax funded grant of $142,000 which would be used to promote anti-hunting activities in public schools. Their motto is "Help Us Make Hunting History ." Do you want YOUR tax money to "help us make sure that if hunting is taught to children in the 21st century, it will be taught only in history class." The Antis have numerous websites where their agendas are displayed. HSUS distributes KINDNEWS to elementary schools, with guides for teachers. Are YOUR children being "brainwashed" at school? Children, 10 to 18 yrs. old, were recently asked (in a survey conducted by a school publication for children) "What topics do you think our government should be dealing with?" Too many children answered: "the environment, getting rid of guns and animal rights." The Animal Rights folks have begun to infiltrate the minds of the young generation through the household appliance most often used as the babysitter: television. Cartoons depict hunters as stupid buffoons, poachers or all-out villains who glory in cruelty. Rock stars and teen actors are speaking out in support of the animal rights movement. These things can have an astonishing effect on young minds, especially if hunting adults don't provide advice and information on these issues.

If you consider yourself an outdoorsman/woman and you truly cherish our "right" to hunt and take game, your OBLIGBATION (not your option) is to teach as many young people as you can about how enjoyable, character-building and essential the privilege to hunt is. Plan activities at your clubs that involve youth. Contact 4-H or Scout groups in your community and get involved with youth. If the majority of the voting public felt the way many youngsters do now, we'd have already lost our right to hunt (and keep and bear arms). In a few years, these youngsters will reach the voting age and will get the majority vote. We have a chance now, and we'd better take it and get the young people involved. Make an extra effort to take a kid hunting or to a field event. Think of it as making a payment on your insurance. We need young people to become involved in ALL types of hunting, fishing and even trapping in order to continue these traditions in our heritage.

If you belong to a club, plan an activity that will involve your local community: a rabies clinic, fish fry, a "trade days" or perhaps a fishing derby if your grounds has a pond or lake. We need to show the general public that hunters are not cruelty-loving Neanderthals. Treat landowners with respect and support your state's Department of Wildlife or Fish and Game Management's efforts in habitat management. Trailing hounds are a family year around outdoor recreation with a positive economic and environmental impact. This participative sport is worth fighting for!