Conservation Groups File Brief in Canned Hunting Appeal

The Indiana Wildlife Federation, IN Chapter of the Wildlife Society, and the IN Deer Hunters Association have filed an amicus (Friend of the Court) brief in support of Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s appeal of the Harrison Circuit Court canned hunting decision. This is a story several papers across the state are following and we wanted to be sure you had the latest information.

The press release wtih more detail is attached.

The full amicus brief and the Attorney General’s brief may both be found on the IN Wildlife Federation website at http://www.indianawildlife.org/canned-hunting-appeal-file-brief/ .

A special thanks goes to the law firm of Faegre Baker Daniels, and in particular Attorney Jon Laramore, Partner, and his team, who took on our brief pro bono. Their expertise and guidance allowed us to tell the the conservationist/hunter/scientist side the canned hunting issue.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions or comments. Please share this email with others who may be interested.

Sincerely,

Barb

PRESS RELEASE JUNE 3, 2014
Contact: Barbara Simpson, Executive Director Indiana Wildlife Federation, 317-875-9453 or simpson@indianawildlife.org
CONSERVATION GROUPS FILE BRIEF IN CANNED HUNTING APPEAL
Three of the leading statewide conservation organizations in Indiana, The Indiana Wildlife Federation, the Indiana Deer Hunters Association, and The Wildlife Society, Indiana Chapter, have filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief supporting Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s appeal of the Harrison County Court decision that erroneously concluded canned hunting is legal and privately owned deer cannot be regulated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
“The law is clear. Shooting captive-raised deer in pens - canned hunting – is illegal, and we’re glad to see Attorney General Zoeller taking action to reinforce this once and for all” said Barbara Simpson, Executive Director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. Glenn Lange of The Wildlife Society added that, “canned hunting operations violate the long standing North American Model of Wildlife Conservation that holds wildlife are a public trust held by the state for all citizens-not a privileged few.” The Indiana Deer Hunters Association advocates ethical hunting practices, and opposes shooting captive deer that have no opportunity to escape. “Canned hunting is an unethical practice that gives reputable fair-chase hunters a bad name and hunting a bad image,” said Joe Bacon, President of the Indiana Deer Hunters Association. “We’re also very concerned about the threat of disease that could spread to the wild deer herd, especially chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis, that’s associated with these types of operations”, stressed Lange.
A summary of the amicus brief points out the following:
 Indiana law authorizes regulation of “wild animals” whether publically or privately owned.
 It’s illegal to kill deer except as state statute or rule specifically allows.
 Private ownership of deer is permitted only with a game breeder’s permit for a deer livestock
operation.
 Deer owned by private livestock operations may not be hunted.
 It’s illegal to sell deer – dead or alive – except under a game breeder’s permit.
These simple points above clearly show that Indiana law does not allow canned hunting and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has authority to regulate privately owned wild animals. We are confident the Appellate Court will find in favor of the IDNR and the debate around what the law does and does not allow will finally be put to rest. Canned hunting is and always has been illegal in Indiana.
The complete amicus brief is available online at the Indiana Wildlife Federation website www.indianawildlife.org/. Special thanks and appreciation go to Faegre Baker Daniels, LLP, and Jon Laramore, Partner, for the assistance in the preparation of this brief.
Barbara Simpson Executive Director
Indiana Wildlife Federation
Glenn Lange
Chairman, Conservation Affairs Committee The Wildlife Society, Indiana Chapter
Joe Bacon
President
Indiana Deer Hunters Association

Yes the IDHA is involved, one way or another we need to have a decision ....... who is in charge of rules of private held deer herds.

This case will affect all private held herds in this country.

It is time to have a final decision and all parties and those with interest should be heard.

Probably the Supreme Court is where this will end....IMO