Muley69,
Perhaps we will just have to agree to disagree. While I respect your opinion, unless you live on the west coast you can't really relate to the gravity and reality of this situation. We all have the initiative process which allows the public to put anything on the ballot if enough signatures are gathered. Look at our elections, and our problems will be obvious. King, Pierce, and Snohomish(Seattle and Tacoma area) counties dictate what the rest of the state must do because they have over half of the entire state's population. And yes, they are dumb when it comes to doing the smart thing for animals and wildlife management. Oregon is in a similar situation with the Portland and Eugene areas. Here in WA, we have already lost trapping, baiting bear, and hound hunting for bear and cougar, all through the initiative process in the last 8 years. It is a very REAL concern, and should be our #1 priority. The HSUS said themselves that they are coming after us, specifically naming CA, OR, and WA, with a $97 million war chest. The initiative process is their reason for chosing us because they can count on getting enough support to get it on the ballot And they don't fight with the truth, they play on the emotions of those that haven't really formed an opinion with lies and things taken out of context.

No offense, but your comments are precisely the problem, and they are counting on it. The national hunting public is apathetic on this subject, thinking it won't affect them. Well, it might not in your state. But if they ever get a foothold in a few states, they will start setting legislative precedence that can and will be referenced nationwide. They just made a big push to ban bear baiting in Alaska, but were defeated only because the sportsmen worked hard to get their message out. You might never be affected in your particular hunting spot in Montana, but we must stand together to fight the fight or everyone will suffer longterm. We west coasties need everyone to stand together on this. All the people who work in the archery industry, hunting gear industry, guides, etc need you because this will affect them too.