Without the utilization of effective wildlife management practices (including properly regulated hunting), DNR and Wildlife Management groups would be regularly forced to make the decision of whether to intervene (by slaughtering mass amounts of wildlife) or allow the wildlife populations to grow to an unsustainable level, resulting in habitat destruction, famine, mass starvation, and potential extinction.

The choice we must make is whether regulated hunting, which acts as the most humane method of population control while generating billions of dollars to dedicate towards habitat and wildlife protection, is a better alternative than taxpayer funded population control (mass slaughter), and deteriorating habitats.

For me it is a simple decision. Not only allow but encourage the use of effective wildlife management practices, including ethical and regulated hunting practices.

The animal rights people are very separated from nature; if they were not, they would understand the naturalness of predation, including predation by humans which has existed for hundreds of thousands of years.

Given their separation from nature, the animal rights people cannot be trusted to maintain the natural environment to the degree that hunters and fishermen have.

Please do not support any anti-hunting legislation or regulation unless it is backed up by sound science, and not based solely on emotion of the opinions of special interest groups.

Hounds have been proven to be the safest means of capture for lions, bears, and bobcats in many research projects for the past 50 years. This history flies in the face of the false accusations by HSUS that catch-and-release hunting is inhumane.

On April 10, 2012 the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee unanimously passed AB1784 (Monning) which endorses the use of hounds for mountain lion capture. The discussion was about scientific research. Science seeks the truth, and the truth about the trail hound culture prevailed. No political agenda was involved. But today, July 2, 2012, the same committee passed SB1221 on the fifth reconsideration vote. The animal rights agenda carried the day, and the truth about us was irrelevant.

The Democratic Party has a long history of standing against stereotyping and prejudice and standing up for disenfranchised minorities, even when it w

This bill has no business in this venue, it is a topic that should be discussed and voted on by the California Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Please vote NO on this bill.
Thank you for your consideration.