In blue states across America, lawmakers have taken major steps to limit the rights of outdoorsmen.
Many of these misguided policies come from people who know little to nothing about conservation.
And lawmakers delivered a crushing blow to outdoorsmen in this state.
This recent move shows that Illinois lawmakers are coming for hunters
In the Democrat-controlled state of Illinois, lawmakers have taken considerable steps to limit the rights of law abiding gun owners.
These attacks on the Second Amendment have not fulfilled the desires of these radical Democrats, who have started to shift their focus on hunters.
This year, the Illinois House passed a measure which forbids anyone from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting, or participating in “any contest, organized competition, tournament, or derby that has the objective of taking any fur-bearing mammal”
Under the bill, fines for offenders range anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
Those who support the bill point to competitions in the state such as a coyote hunting competition held last year, which resulted in over 400 dead coyotes.
Democrat Rep. Anna Moeller spoke out on the matter, saying in February that “Wildlife killing contests glorify violence and celebrate animal cruelty.”
“They’re a blood sport akin to dogfighting and cockfighting, which are outlawed in Illinois. This bill does not prevent responsible hunting or agricultural practices,” the Democrat lawmaker added.
Meanwhile, opponents of the bill point to the good that many of these competitions do for the environment and for local communities.
Republican Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, for example, highlighted the importance of controlling coyote populations, noting that many of his constituents complain about coyotes killing their livestock.
Rosenthal defended these competitions, saying, “Hunting competitions help control the overpopulation of coyotes and racoons, but HB2900 labels these competitions as inhumane.”
He added that, “Hunting coyotes is legal year-round in Illinois, yet holding competitions that raise funds for local charities is frowned upon by those who live in the suburbs who are not adversely affected by coyotes.”
Rosenthal then pointed to the “Annual Squirrel Bowl” which is hosted in his district every year. According to him, this event has raised over $200,000 for local charities.
He did not elaborate on the details of the Squirrel Bowl, or how many squirrels have been harvested in the competition. However, many hunters would agree that a “Squirrel Bowl” sounds pretty fun.
Once again, Democrat lawmakers have gotten involved in something they know little about
As it stands, coyotes have found their way into nearly every state in America, causing problems for residents, livestock, and pets everywhere they go.
Coyotes have a reputation for killing livestock, chickens, and even small humans on occasion. That’s a prime reason supporters of predator hunting competitions point to. The competitions help keep populations of predator species under control.
With moves like banning predator hunting competitions, urban lawmakers like the ones in Illinois are demonstrating that they either don’t understand responsible conservation and environmental stewardship practices, or they just have flat-out disregard for outdoorsmen and the portions of the public who must face dangerous predators on a regular basis.
Keep Fully Loaded Magazine in your sights to stay on top of exactly what the Gun Control Lobby is plotting, how guns actually make Americans safer, and fun stories surrounding the regular exercise of your Second Amendment freedoms.