Proposed Bill Would Ban Inhumane and Unsporting Aerial Gunning of Wolves
WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) calls on the U.S. Congress to work quickly to pass the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act, which will close a loophole in federal law that allows the shooting of Alaskan wolves and other wildlife from airplanes and helicopters. Defenders of Wildlife, a national conservation group, is leading the fight for this bill, and The HSUS backs its effort.
The bill, H.R. 3663 introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), would amend the Airborne Hunting Act of 1971 to clarify the conditions in which states can use airplanes and helicopters to aid in the management of wildlife, bar states from using aerial hunting to artificially boost game species populations, and place a specific, new restriction on inhumane aerial hunting. The bill was cosponsored by Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) and Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.).
"Shooting unsuspecting wolves from airplanes is inhumane, unsporting, and violates all principles of fair chase and sound wildlife management," said Michael Markarian, HSUS executive vice president. "Congress should gun down this barbaric practice—as Alaska voters have twice attempted to do—and ensure that it doesn't spread to other parts of the United States."
Although Alaska voters have twice, in 1996 and 2000, banned the aerial shooting of wolves, state legislators have overturned the will of the people and allow this practice to continue. The Alaska Board of Game encourages aerial hunting of wolves and other predators in order to artificially boost the populations of moose and caribou for sport hunters. Nearly 700 wolves have been killed from aircraft in Alaska in the last seven years.
"We are grateful to Congressman Miller for his leadership in working to protect America's wildlife," added Markarian.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
