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Today's Poll!Our Opinion: Hunting Works sets sights on public policy
News Tribune editorial
Monday, June 11, 2012
A new hunting season is under way.
A partnership of hunting interests has embarked on an initiative to promote and protect its contribution to economic development.
United as Hunting Works for Missouri, the partnership includes the state and local chambers of commerce, sporting groups and retailers.
The contribution they cite is significant. According to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation:
• Hunters in Missouri number 609,000 annually.
• Each hunter spends an average of $1,848 per season on trip-related expenses including lodging, food and gas.
• Missouri hunters spend more than $1.1 billion each year, which translates into $96.8 million in state and local taxes.
“Hunting has become an economic engine to our state and local economies,” said Dan Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a co-chairman of Hunting Works for Missouri. “We’re glad this group has formed to highlight the positive impact hunting plays here in Missouri.”
Promotion, however, isn’t the partnership’s only focus. In addition, it “will monitor public policy decisions and weigh in on hunting-related issues that impact Missouri jobs,” which is government-speak for lobbying lawmakers.
Members consider formation of the partnership as timely. Hunting Works references the growth of “politically motivated anti-hunting groups” that seek to “limit, make more expensive and even ban hunting.”
And, depending on the frame of reference, the partnership is either being candid or alarmist when it asserts: “All this is occurring at a time when hunter numbers are declining, and quite frankly, many of our rural communities and businesses will not survive if hunter numbers continue to erode.”
We agree hunting makes a significant contribution to the state’s economy. And that contribution deserves to be protected.
No longer confined to forests and fields, expect the hunting industry to make its presence known in the Capitol.
Marry Me
Comments
JCLifer 11 months, 1 week ago
Good deal!!! Hunters, please bring your guns and bows to Jefferson City. The deer are very bad in some parts of town. It is not a stretch to say that more often than not a driver will see a deer on Ellis Blvd. or Seven Hills Road at night. There are way too many deer around here, and the risk for injuries, death, and serious property damage is very real driving in some neighborhoods in Jeff City.
I long for the day when the council will open a bow season for inside the city limits. Auto collision repair is expensive, even with insurance coverage.
JMO 11 months, 1 week ago
I'd like to use a bow in my backyard before the darn things eat all the vegetables in my garden - again!
asb 11 months, 1 week ago
Get 'em while they're eating, then you've got stew!
Sequoia 11 months, 1 week ago
Hunting Works references the growth of “politically motivated anti-hunting groups” that seek to “limit, make more expensive and even ban hunting.”
Are there actual examples of any proposed legislation anywhere in the U.S. that would ban hunting altogether? I've never heard of this. Who wants to ban hunting?
Here is a fact you could report: This year, there were 0 bills introduced in state legislatures that would ban hunting in that state. Zero. Period. So, instead of saying "Some say there is a push to ban hunting," you could in fact say, "no bills to ban hunting have been introduced at the state level."
Instead of reporting that "Some say the sky is orange," perhaps the newspaper could report that "The sky is blue."
Certainly the NT wouldn't just repeat the assertion of a group without checking to see if it were true, eh? This seems more alarmist than the next sentence, which the NT asserts might be seen as alarmist, "depending on your frame of reference."
Instead of wishy washing around, maybe do a fact check. Are the numbers of hunters in Missouri going up or going down? Just tell us. Don't do this "we report you decide" stuff. Don't say, "Well, some say it is going up and some say it is going down. We report, you decide." Just TELL US if the number is going up or down.
Report the facts. Not how someone characterizes the facts.
RetiredOne 11 months, 1 week ago
Once the Second Amendment is done away with, there won't be any need to abolish hunting. Of course, BO would not do anything to infringe upon our rights: h tt p://dailycaller.com/2012/02/08/obama-continues-ban-on-importation-of-600000-historical-collectible-m1-carbine-rifles-fate-of-86000-garands-still-in-doubt/. (Remove the spaces in "h tt p" in link).
asb 11 months, 1 week ago
Obama has done nothing against the 2nd. The garand restriction is meant to protect American sources of these weapons, likely an NRA bill. Pay attention!
tonto_goldberg 11 months, 1 week ago
This so-called organization should not be taken seriously; rather, I smell a brand-new fake grass-roots movement. The name of this organization is suspicious enough but still familiar. "Hunting Works" is not registered with the Missouri Secretary of State.
I suspect this article came in an email and was just formatted by the News Tribune to fit the column. It's bad form all around.
tonto_goldberg 11 months, 1 week ago
It's sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
nssfblog.com/two-states-added-to-award-winning-hunting-works-for-america-franchise/
Sequoia 11 months, 1 week ago
Look at this freakin' Marxism: “All this is occurring at a time when hunter numbers are declining, and quite frankly, many of our rural communities and businesses will not survive if hunter numbers continue to erode.”
Then the NT with this gem of socialism: "We agree hunting makes a significant contribution to the state’s economy. And that contribution deserves to be protected."
Uh, so the government is supposed to PROTECT businesses that cater to an industry you just asserted was dying? Is Hunting Works proposing a bailout for the hunting industry? Handouts for business that can't compete?
FWIW, all the evidence I see is that hunting is alive and well. I'd much rather eat a Missouri deer killed by a Missouri hunter than any shrink-wrapped slab of "meat-flavored product."
JCLifer 11 months, 1 week ago
Sounds like another good ol boy club...
Littleinvestor 11 months, 1 week ago
You need some better recipes. I mostly kill deer with the truck, at night, without even trying. Better to use a gun. Easier on the truck.
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