The American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) took a couple of pot shots at the National Rifle Association (NRA) recently by releasing what it calls an "expose" of the organization's support for "anti-conservation critters."
The report, "Slash and Burn: Why does the National Rifle Association Leadership Support Congress' Biggest Opponents of Conservation?" claims the NRA falls short when it comes to protecting public lands and wildlife habitats.
AHSA president Ray Schoenke says the report "pulls the curtain back on the ugly truth" about the NRA's support for what he calls the biggest opponents of conservation.
"We want America's 70 million gun owners, most of whom, like me, consider themselves conservationists, to have the opportunity to learn about the NRA's dismal record on conservation."
According to a press release, "The NRA has overwhelmingly supported members of Congress who received sub-standard and poor ratings from respected conservation organizations."
In response, NRA officials refer to the AHSA as the "ultimate in political camouflage." In an NRA Institute for Political Action press release, the organization claims the AHSA was created for the specific intent to provide political cover for anti-gun politicians by allowing them to claim support from sportsmen.
The NRA argues that Ray Schoenke has a long history of giving political campaign donations to some of America's leading anti-gun politicians, including Al Gore, John Kerry, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein and Ted Kennedy. His record of support for hunting and gun rights is relatively short, however.
According to his introductory message at the AHSA website, Schoenke launched the organization in 2006. His message invites hunters to join the organization that is "steadfast in protection of Second Amendment rights and conserving our environment."
Argyle resident Brian Munz is one local outdoors enthusiast who won't be taking the bait. A past president of the Argyle Rod and Gun Club and an endowment member of the NRA, Munz questions whether the organizations really have the interests of sportsmen and women at heart.
"Some of these organizations forget about the rural people who grew up hunting and fishing - small-town people," Munz said. "I'm a firm believer in the right of law-abiding citizens to own a gun, protect themselves in their own home and go hunting."
As evidence of AHSA's support for environmental causes, Schoenke's message cites the opposition of NRA-supported politicians to the Roadless Conservation Act of 2007 which would limit road construction in national forests.
A poor choice in support of AHSA's cause, some argue, since one of the biggest problems sportsmen have is access to public lands for hunting and other outdoor activities. No roads means no access.
Here in Wisconsin, a similar debate rages over access. Attempts to close off portions of public land in northern Wisconsin to any kind of motor vehicles has generated considerable opposition from sportsmen's groups.
A recent radio ad in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama would seem to bear out the NRA position that ASHA is politically motivated. The radio spot narrated by Ray Schoenke urges a vote for Obama who, despite his substantial anti-gun credentials, now expresses support for second amendment rights.
As for those "respected conservation organizations" - another questionable choice. ASHA refers to the League of Conservation Voters as providing the data supporting its assertions about the NRA.
The record shows the League prefers Democrats over Republicans regardless of how attentive the latter might be to the rights of hunters and the protection of our natural resources. The NRA on the other hand supports like-minded candidates of any political stripe.
The waters continue to muddy as the November election draws near so now is the time to scope out the facts regarding candidates at all levels of government. And, as is typically the case, sportsmen and women will play a major role in the outcome.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net
The report, "Slash and Burn: Why does the National Rifle Association Leadership Support Congress' Biggest Opponents of Conservation?" claims the NRA falls short when it comes to protecting public lands and wildlife habitats.
AHSA president Ray Schoenke says the report "pulls the curtain back on the ugly truth" about the NRA's support for what he calls the biggest opponents of conservation.
"We want America's 70 million gun owners, most of whom, like me, consider themselves conservationists, to have the opportunity to learn about the NRA's dismal record on conservation."
According to a press release, "The NRA has overwhelmingly supported members of Congress who received sub-standard and poor ratings from respected conservation organizations."
In response, NRA officials refer to the AHSA as the "ultimate in political camouflage." In an NRA Institute for Political Action press release, the organization claims the AHSA was created for the specific intent to provide political cover for anti-gun politicians by allowing them to claim support from sportsmen.
The NRA argues that Ray Schoenke has a long history of giving political campaign donations to some of America's leading anti-gun politicians, including Al Gore, John Kerry, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein and Ted Kennedy. His record of support for hunting and gun rights is relatively short, however.
According to his introductory message at the AHSA website, Schoenke launched the organization in 2006. His message invites hunters to join the organization that is "steadfast in protection of Second Amendment rights and conserving our environment."
Argyle resident Brian Munz is one local outdoors enthusiast who won't be taking the bait. A past president of the Argyle Rod and Gun Club and an endowment member of the NRA, Munz questions whether the organizations really have the interests of sportsmen and women at heart.
"Some of these organizations forget about the rural people who grew up hunting and fishing - small-town people," Munz said. "I'm a firm believer in the right of law-abiding citizens to own a gun, protect themselves in their own home and go hunting."
As evidence of AHSA's support for environmental causes, Schoenke's message cites the opposition of NRA-supported politicians to the Roadless Conservation Act of 2007 which would limit road construction in national forests.
A poor choice in support of AHSA's cause, some argue, since one of the biggest problems sportsmen have is access to public lands for hunting and other outdoor activities. No roads means no access.
Here in Wisconsin, a similar debate rages over access. Attempts to close off portions of public land in northern Wisconsin to any kind of motor vehicles has generated considerable opposition from sportsmen's groups.
A recent radio ad in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama would seem to bear out the NRA position that ASHA is politically motivated. The radio spot narrated by Ray Schoenke urges a vote for Obama who, despite his substantial anti-gun credentials, now expresses support for second amendment rights.
As for those "respected conservation organizations" - another questionable choice. ASHA refers to the League of Conservation Voters as providing the data supporting its assertions about the NRA.
The record shows the League prefers Democrats over Republicans regardless of how attentive the latter might be to the rights of hunters and the protection of our natural resources. The NRA on the other hand supports like-minded candidates of any political stripe.
The waters continue to muddy as the November election draws near so now is the time to scope out the facts regarding candidates at all levels of government. And, as is typically the case, sportsmen and women will play a major role in the outcome.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net
