LaMalfa rips panel's passage of hunting ban

State Sen. Doug LaMalfa is unhappy with the Senate Natural Resources Committee for passing a bill yesterday that would make it illegal to chase down bears or bobcats with dogs.

From a news release:

The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee held a two hour hearing today on Senate Bill (SB) 1221, which would ban hunting for bears and bobcats with hounds.

“Hunting is part of the rural way of life and something that needs to be protected,” explained Senator LaMalfa. “Assaults on the second amendment and hunting from urban legislators who neither understand nor live with the consequences of their votes need to take time to learn the impact of their actions.”

There were upwards of 600 people from throughout California that took time out of their day to drive to Sacramento to be sure their voice was heard.

Unfortunately, proponents of the bill were successful in passing SB 1221, even though the opposition, which included California Houndsmen for Conservation and the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, provided sound science proving that hunting with hounds can help control bear and bobcat populations in California.

“The debate was not based on sound science or fact. There were numerous misrepresentations made regarding hunting with hounds which must be corrected,” stated Josh Brones, President of California Houndsmen for Conservation.

“Today’s vote was about partisan politics,” continued LaMalfa. “The Legislature is trying to restrict liberty and change the rural lifestyle of many Californians.”