CouesWhitetail

Here is the press release about the recent ruling. The AZ Deer Association joined with many other sportsman's groups to pursue this lawsuit. U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation 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: Greg R. Lawson (614) 888-4868 ext. 214 September 9, 2008 Victory for Sportsmen in Arizona as Judge Decides in Favor of Wildlife Management (Arizona) – In a major victory for sportsmen and conservationists nationwide, a federal court has ruled to protect hunting and wildlife management on an important parcel of federal land. The ruling reiterates that wildlife management takes precedent over protectionism on the nation’s National Wildlife Refuges. Judge Mary H. Murguia of the U.S. District Court for Arizona decided in favor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in a case brought against it by Wilderness Watch and the Arizona Wilderness Coalition. In the suit, the plaintiffs had claimed that FWS violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Wilderness Act by constructing and restoring wildlife watering devices on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). While these devices are key for the survival of bighorn sheep and other desert wildlife, the plaintiffs claimed they violated federal law. Last year, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (U.S. SLDF), the litigation arm of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), moved to defend FWS and several sportsmen groups in the case. The U.S. SLDF argued that a “Wilderness” designation does not preclude wildlife conservation. Joining the U.S. SLDF were several other groups including: Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association. “This decision establishes that conservation in a wildlife refuge does not take a back seat to the concept of an area being designated as “wilderness” stated USSAF Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Hopefully, this will prevent other efforts to prohibit active wildlife management in refuges that have been given the “wilderness” designation.” The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939. It is home to desert bighorn sheep and an array of other wildlife species. In 1990, more than 80 percent of the refuge was designated Wilderness by Congress. The U.S. SLDF is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The U.S. SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law. -30-

Love that pic!! Amanda

Thanks much Jim for taking the time to respond to everyone's questions. I know it's an impossible task to answer everything all the time, so I appreciate all the time you do put in. I don't even have time today to read all those lengthy answers you posted (!), but I am sure it's good information and I thank you for your time here. I know you have many other obligations and coming here to the forum can eat up a lot more time than you have available. Too bad we can't get more people from the Dept to help answer some of these questions to help take the load off you.... Amanda

Hopefully someone has some info to solve the case and they come forward!! Amanda

here is the photo of triplets that Josh got a few years ago. Amanda

Thanks so much for the info Jim! And Allbouthuntn, get some pics of those triplets if you see them again. That's cool! I didn't get a photo of the triplets I saw many years ago. Amanda

I am jealous of your R100 tag matthew!! For those that are wondering, I have been down to this ranch in Mexico. As has been said, the deer density is low, but there are some very nice bucks. This is a great price on a hunt. If anyone is serious about the hunt, email me and I can send you some photos from the ranch. amanda@coueswhitetail.com Amanda

Good luck and make sure you take photos of your hunt and let us know how you did, even if you don't get a buck! Amanda

Great buck!! Congratulations! That's a gorgeous deer. Glad you were both successful. Amanda

Thanks for the info! Amanda

Thanks for introducing another generation to the joys of hunting! Sounds like you did it just right! Amanda

Thanks for another fine update on your scouting trip Doug! I always love the pics and story! Amanda

Or contact one of our forum members (Muskrat) who is working with the group also. Marshall MacFarlane Public Information Officer mmacfarlane@hoalarizona.org

LOL!! You know, it takes a real man to pull of wearing that hat, Josh!! Nicely done! Amanda

Yum! I hope to have a freezer full in the next two weeks. Amanda

Yes, I will have some XL grong orange shirts at SW. The orange really look nice actually. Amanda

here is a link to the AZ HOAL website. It gives info on how to donate. http://www.hoalarizona.org/ You can do just as devin said and just mail in the tag and it's done. Amanda

Just so you all know, at the last hunt set meeting in April, the commission (Hernbrode in particular) asked the dept to come up with another 10% increase in tag numbers in the next two years! The Dept's response was that would be no problem. Amanda

Outstanding! Sounds like you guys need to hide behind some trees with all that shooting going on around you. Great looking buck! Amanda

Tough break there Jeff!! Hope you stick with it and arrow him later. Amanda

Very nice Josh!!! I just had to order more Grong Orange long sleeves to have them in stock. So if anyone needs some "luck o' the Grong" just order a shirt! That arrowhead is perfect! What a great find!! Amanda

Thanks, that's helpful info. I will add him in on my phone. Amanda

Awesome! Way to stick with it Jed! Amanda

Nice job Jed!! That's awesome! Give us some details on the hunt.... Amanda PS nice sticker!

Hi All, I was asked by the manager at Sportsmans in Mesa if CouesWhitetail.com would like to have a table at their National Hunting and Fishing on Sept 27. There is tons going on that day including dutch oven cooking, fly casting seminar, gps seminar, boat show, kids bow shooting contest, lots of raffles and more. I plan to be there with CW shirts, hats, videos and such. If you happen to be in there area, stop by and say hi. And if you are interested in helping man the CW table, let me know. Amanda