Collin Peterson: “Today I rise as chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus that strongly opposes this amendment. On behalf of…”

“Today I rise as chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus that strongly opposes this amendment. On behalf of myself and the other leaders of the caucus who try to speak for the sportsmen of this country, we hope that our colleagues will vote this amendment down. As sportsmen we are concerned with reserving populations of wildlife for future generations, as well as preserving our right to hunt and fish. The hard reality is that this amendment would create unnecessary and increased wildlife losses. Contrary to what my colleagues have been told, Wildlife Services reduces the overall amount of wildlife taken by selectively targeting only those animals that are causing damage. In Kansas where Wildlife Services does not conduct a program, the number of animals killed by others is dramatically higher, not less. But more importantly, this amendment will not only target animals that are bothering ranchers, if part of the budget is eliminated that is being talked about, many areas will be left with no service on protection at all.”