2014 Legislative Summary: NO Puppy Mill Bill

The NC General Assembly adjourned last week. Your state Senators & Representatives have returned to their home districts to campaign for re-election. We want to thank President Pro Tem Phil Berger and the NC Senate for stopping the infamous “Puppy Mill” bill. Thank you Senator Berger! Despite many bitter controversies, it was a good session for dog hunters. All bills that failed to pass both chambers before adjournment are dead. The “Puppy Mill” bill passed the House with pressure from Governor McCrory and his AR wife, but it failed to pass the Senate. Therefore, the bad dog bill is dead.



Thanks to the many dog hunters who called and emailed Senator Berger and other legislators. Your efforts contributed to our success. We defeated HSUS and PETA, who harassed Sen. Berger unmercifully for the last few days of the session. Again, thank you Senator Berger and the Republican majority in the NC Senate!



The 2015 legislative session will convene on 01/14/15. New legislation can and will be filed. We expect a frontal attack on wildlife preserves (aka fox pens). The animal rights radicals seek to ban fox pens. A fox pen bill of some sort is being quietly researched at NC Wildlife, but not discussed openly. WRC is gathering statistics on fox pens.



NC Wildlife Resources Commission Meetings on Wed. 8/27/14 & Thursday, 8/28/14

The NC WRC met in Raleigh this week. There may be some future changes to the “Restricted Deer Hunting Zone” at Bladen Lakes, but not this year. The so called “dog free” zone at Bladen Lakes Gamelands will be in full force for the 2014-2015 deer hunting season. There will be a strong law enforcement presence at Bladen Lakes Gamelands during the 2014-2015 deer season. Verbum sapient satis est.



For the 2015-2016 deer hunting season, they will consider a permit system for hound hunters. We have no details on such a permit system, but we will keep you advised. I believe this further work is in response to the numerous objections raised by dog hunters at the Bladen Lakes Public Hearing and the weak, so-called “support” for the rule demonstrated at the Public Hearing in July 2014.



At this week’s WRC meetings, proposed rules were discussed, but no votes were taken. So far, there are a bare minimum of proposed deer, hunting, and trapping rules. In October, the WRC will vote on which rules to take to public hearing in January 2015. Watch our website and Facebook page for exact hearing dates in January.



The WRC passed the NC Field Trial Association field trial dates for 2015, as per statute.



Bear hunters be advised! Just when you thought you had reached a safe compromise with WRC, they are at it again. On 8/28/14, the WRC passed a resolution “prohibiting the release of dogs or still hunting for bears in the vicinity of any commercially available mineral supplement or other synthetic substance whether placed for the purpose of attracting or feeding deer or otherwise.” This is part of their statewide policy of not using anything but unprocessed raw plant products as bear food. It remains legal to use the mineral supplements for deer, but not for bear hunting purposes. Will this return us to citations being issued, as it did over unknown and unseen piles of “deer corn”?



November Elections 2014

Hunters should register to vote and vote for candidates who are pro-gun, pro-hunting, and pro-dog hunting! Make it your business to identify your State Senate & State House candidates as well as your local candidates. If you have questions about the state legislative candidates, please call Joe McClees (252) 671-1585. We will gather information and let you know. For example, here is an inside look at a House of Representatives race for an open seat, published today. “A quick look at campaign donations and spending in N.C. House District 2, which includes Granville and Person counties, based on information from the N.C. State Board of Elections.”

Larry Yarborough (Republican candidate)

Balance on April 20: $8,225
Raised April 20 to June 30: $18,350
Spent: $12,956
Cash on hand June 30: $13,620
Ray Jeffers (Democratic candidate) (Pro-Gun, Pro-Hunting, Pro-Dog Hunting!)

Balance on April 20: $1,341
Raised April 20 to June 30: $3,300
Spent: $3,595
Cash on hand June 30: $1,046
Analysis: House District 2 is an open seat because of the departure of longtime Rep. W.A. "Winkie" Wilkins, a five-term Democrat from Roxboro. The N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation considers this race competitive because of historical voting trends and the fact that it is an open seat. Yarborough, a former Person County commissioner, is also raising more money than Jeffers, a current Person County commissioner. This will be a race to watch come Election Day. (THE INSIDER, 8/29/14).



Joe McClees and I have not met Mr. Larry Yarborough. However, we personally know and can vouch for Mr. Ray Jeffers. When there was a rash of bad dog killings in Caswell County, Ray was a sitting Person County Commissioner. He attended a big dog meeting in Caswell County, spoke in favor of the dog hunters, and offered encouragement and support. He visited the Tar River Fox Pen when Joe McClees took Rep. Larry Hall, the Minority Leader of the House, for a tour of the fox pen. He offered insight to Rep. Hall about the cultural heritage of dog hunting in rural communities. Ray Jeffers would be a friend and advocate for dog hunters in the House, and one of the few actual hunters in the House! But look at the financial status of each of these two candidates. (See above. The Republican has more raised money.) If you are in this district or are interested in this race, contact Ray Jeffers and support his candidacy. From now to Election Day, Tuesday, 11/4/14, a candidate needs money to communicate his message. We need pro-dog hunting legislators! www.jeffersnchouse.com



Opening Day of Dove Season is Monday, Sept. 1st

Dove Season starts one half-hour before sunrise on Monday, 9/1/14. Happy hunting. Traditionalist Joe McClees will eat around 11:00 a.m. and then start shooting! For more information on hours, dates, and bag limits, visit the WRC website: http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NewsArticle/tabid/416/IndexID/9914/Default.aspx



NC Sporting Dog Association working to protect your right to hunt with dogs!

The NC Sporting Dog Association wants to thank all Clubs and Individuals who are supporting our efforts. Thank you! We appreciate your dues, your encouragement, and your invitations to visit meetings and events. Joe McClees and I look forward to seeing many of you this fall. If your Club has an event, please invite us! We love to visit and share what is happening in Raleigh and Washington. Also, we want to know what is happening locally with you and your Club.



For example, we will be in Caswell County on Saturday, 9/27/14 to speak to the newly formed Central Carolina Sporting Dog Association. This great event will be held at 2:00 pm at the Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville. This area of traditional dog hunting is vulnerable to attack, and dog hunters in Caswell and surrounding counties are organizing to protect their heritage and their sport. Join the fight! Learn more on Facebook (Central Carolina Sporting Dog Association is a Public Group).



For the Clubs and Individuals who have not yet renewed this year, thanks in advance for your continuing support. Please feel free to forward this email to other dog hunters. We appreciate you and hope you will join the fight to protect dog hunting in North Carolina. Join online at www.ncsportingdog.org.



Please contact us if we can help you in anyway. Since the Legislature has adjourned, we are not in Raleigh every week, and are traveling to see clients. Call us on our mobiles! Thanks, Joe and Henri McClees



NC Sporting Dog Association, Inc.

PO Box 430, Oriental, NC 28571

Office (252) 249-1097

Fax (252) 249-3275

www.ncsportingdog.org



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