HOWL for Wildlife Commends Steven Rinella and Los Angeles Times for Article “Black Bears are Thriving”
HOWL for Wildlife, is dedicated to promoting grassroots advocacy for hunting and supports science based wildlife management. HOWL extends its appreciation to Steven Rinella for his article published in the Los Angeles Times. Rinella’s piece stands out as an articulate presentation of the complex realities and opportunities for wildlife management, conservation and the sustainable harvest of abundant species. The article provides a well-rounded perspective on black bear hunting in California, emphasizing the importance of science-based conservation practices. He stresses the necessity of using data driven policies to manage diverse wildlife populations, while sharing human values that inspire hunters to pursue and harvest black bear in California.
Charles Whitwam, President and Founder of HOWL for Wildlife, commented “this is the kind of media we need more of! Non-hunters rarely see this balanced discussion, and fair representation of hunters’ values and the reason bear hunting in California is sustainable and good. We need the LA Times to know that we are watching, and we support this article!”
HOWL for Wildlife calls upon the hunting and conservation community, from individual hunters to industry and conservation leaders to actively support and acknowledge efforts that promote positive representation of hunting. It is rare for media such as the LA Times to put our viewpoints in view for the non-hunting public, and we need to acknowledge the Times, as well as Steve Rinella for his contribution. Letters to the Editor or the LA Times “Readers Representative” are a great way to amplify our support for the article and the message shared.
The anti-hunting community portrays hunters in a negative light, relying on emotional messaging rather than scientific evidence. Frequently, anti-hunting messaging focuses their efforts on controlling human behaviors which can easily be misrepresented, rather than focusing on wildlife success. This portrayal is divisive, polarizing and counterproductive to the goals of conservation. It has been shown time and again that hunters are among the most dedicated conservationists, contributing billions of dollars annually through license fees, an excise tax, and donations that directly support wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. Furthermore, the excise taxes paid by sportsmen and women through the purchase of firearms, ammunition and other hunting equipment, benefits all outdoor recreationists on the public lands that everyone has access to utilize for outdoor activities of their choice.
HOWL for Wildlife remains dedicated to promoting science based wildlife management practices and advocating for the role of hunting in conservation. We encourage constructive dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders to ensure the continued health and diversity of our wildlife and their habitats.
We encourage all within the industry to stand with HOWL for Wildlife’s mission of uniting hunters to advocate for each other wherever regulatory or legislative threats could undermine the rights to hunt sustainable wildlife populations. With a common cause we amplify the message of the hunting community and counteract lies and propaganda.
About Howl for Wildlife:
HOWL for Wildlife (501c3) is committed to securing the future of hunting and conservation by enabling hunters, anglers, and trappers to communicate with decision makers directly, quickly and effectively. HOWL creates and deploys communications campaigns which reframe societal perspectives about hunting to neutralize attacks from the anti-hunting extremists. HOWL for Wildlife believes that Hunting is Human© .
