Affordable Hunting Under Fire, Help Us Protect It

Currently, the CRPA has a bill in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water that aims to reduce the cost of Elk hunting and increase youth participation in this crucial part of our state’s hunting tradition. As it is written now, AB 521 will reduce the cost for an Elk tag from $445, to $100 for adults, and will provide for the issuance of $20 Apprentice Tags, which will allow for our children to effectively, and affordably, learn how to hunt.

However, Senator Hertzberg, a Democratic Chairmen of the committee, has attempted to poison this bill. Senator Hertzberg wants to amend AB 521 to effectively end Elk hunting in the state of California. His proposed amendments would retain the increased cost of an elk tag, dramatically increase the cost for an Apprentice Tags, and impose an impossible regulatory burden on the Department of Fish and Wildlife. These increased costs are pure extortion, a feeble attempt to squeeze California hunters for an additional 1.5 million dollars on top of the 26 million they already spend every year on tags and fees. Furthermore, Senator Hertzberg’s amendments will deprive our next generation of hunters of valuable experience; this is a grave threat to the sport and the hunting heritage of our youth. Finally, by placing an extreme regulatory burden on the Department of Fish and Wildlife, he seeks to turn the department against elk hunting now and for the foreseeable future.

We cannot allow these amendments to poison this bill. Senators Jeff Stone and Andy Vidak have already taken a stand against these toxic amendments. We would like to thank them for their support of our hunting rights. Nevertheless, Senators: Hertzberg, Allen, Atkins, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, and Stern have yet to commit to protecting hunting rights; included below is their contact information. We urge you to call, email, and most of all, show up to their offices, to show your support for an unamended AB 521 before it goes to the committee floor this Tuesday. Thank you for all of your support.

Senator Robert M. Hertzberg (Chair) –18^th District– San Fernando
6150 Van Nuys Blvd., #400
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Phone: (818) 901-5588

Senator Benjamin Allen – 26^th District — Temecula/Inland Empire
2512 Artesia Blvd., #320
Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3279
Phone: (310) 318-6994

Senator Toni G. Atkins – 39^th District — San Diego
1350 Front Street, Suite 4061
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 645-3133

Senator Ben Hueso – 40^th District – Chula Vista
303 H Street., Suite 200
Chula Vista, CA  91910
Phone: (619) 409-7690
Or
1224 State Street, Suite D
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (760) 335-3442

Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson –19^th District – Santa Barbara
222 East Carrillo, Suite 309
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 965-0862
Or
300 E. Esplanade Drive, Suite 430
Oxnard, CA 93036
Phone: (805)988-1940

Senator Bill Monning –17^th District – SLO & Santa Cruz
99 Pacific Street, Suite 575-F
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 657-6315
Or
1026 Palm Street, Suite 201
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 549-3784
Or
701 Ocean St. Suite 318A
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 425-0401

Senator Henry Stern –27^th District – District Thousand Oaks
5016 N. Parkway Calabasas, Suite 222
Calabasas, CA 91302
Phone: (818) 876-3352