U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229

Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326

Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Beth Ruth (614) 888-4868 ext. 214

June 6, 2007



HSUS Knows Anti-Hunting Agenda

Will Tarnish “Mainsteam” Reputation



(Columbus) – The Humane Society of the United States is trying to dodge the spotlight that is illuminating its anti-hunting agenda.



The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), the nation’s premier sportsmen’s advocacy organization, exposed the group’s agenda when it called on Microsoft to end an enormous fundraising project that will finance HSUS campaigns to ban hunting.



In the wake of controversy over Microsoft’s donation to the animal rights group, HSUS Executive Vice President for External Affairs Michael Markarian made claims that his group has no agenda to eliminate hunting. He all but said such a stance would be unpopular as he highlighted his organization’s healthy membership base and said, “you don’t build that type of support unless you have a mainstream mission.”



The Humane Society of the United States tries to market itself as a ‘mainstream’ organization to which every dog and cat owner should belong, but the USSA won’t let HSUS hid the anti-hunting skeletons in its closet. Here are some recent examples of the Humane Society of the United States’ anti-hunting position:



· Led a 2006 ballot campaign to ban dove hunting in Michigan (contributing $1.6 million to the effort);

· Successfully lobbied for the cancellation of the 2006 New Jersey black bear hunt;

· Opposes hunting on National Wildlife Refuges and is a plaintiff in an ongoing federal lawsuit to ban hunting on federal lands;

· Took the lead in a 1994 ballot campaign to ban cougar hunting and bear hunting in Oregon, and has opposed recent efforts to allow hunting to control these wildlife populations;

· The organization’s Wildlife Land Trust Program permanently bans hunting and trapping on properties that come under its control.



A recent decree from HSUS President Wayne Pacelle spells out which aspects of the traditional lifestyle are next on the organization’s hit list.



Pacelle referenced HSUS opposition to hunter recruitment campaigns that encourage newcomers and children to participate in outdoor sports. He also highlighted the organization’s efforts to eliminate legal bear hunting practices and hunting with hounds.



“The Humane Society of the United States invests millions of dollars in efforts to ban hunting and trapping, and it’s time that companies like Microsoft stop adding to the warchest,” said USSA President Bud Pidgeon.



The USSA and American sportsmen have sounded off to Microsoft urging the company to end its relationship with HSUS.



On June 5, Microsoft brushed aside thousands of calls, letters and faxes it received from sportsmen and issued a statement that it “will continue its affiliation with the Humane Society of the United States.” It went on to express excitement with the partnership and tells sportsmen that it does “not plan to make changes in our relationships.”



Sportsmen have been protesting the relationship since the USSA last week informed the conservation community of the software giant’s $100,000 commitment to the anti-hunting group. The HSUS is also to be part of a pilot fundraising venture that will generate uncapped donations.



Sportsmen should continue to contact Microsoft and demand that its financial support of HSUS be terminated. Contact Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. Phone: (425) 882-8080. Fax: (425) 936-7329.



The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.