Victory: Richards To Remain On Fish And Game Commission

Thanks to the efforts of CRPA members and NRA members Assemblymember Hueso has backed down from his attempt to remove Fish and Game Commissioner Dan Richards from the Commission. In February, Hueso and about 39 other Assembly Democrats sent a letter to Richards asking for his resignation. The call for Richards’ resignation came after Commissioner Richards legally killed a mountain lion in Idaho and was accused of unethical behavior by anti-hunting groups in California. Richards’ respect for the laws of California was called into question, even though he killed a lion in Idaho under a legal Idaho license and tag. The fact is he did not kill a lion in California where it is prohibited. He legally killed a lion in Idaho where it is permitted as part of the state’s wildlife management practices.

The outcry from the hunting community over the treatment of Richards was heard loud and clear. At the March 7 meeting of the Fish and Game Commission, in Riverside, the room was packed with sportsmen in support of Commissioner Richards and the right to hunt. CRPA testified before the Commission, along with approximately 100 other individuals most of whom voiced their strong support of Richards.

Assemblyman Hueso has now said that he will introduce legislation this year to amend the conflict-of-interest code for the Fish and Game Commissioners. It remains to be seen what, if any, changes will be sought.