The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STOP CANNED HUNTING, THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2286 on Dec. 13, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STOP CANNED HUNTING, THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO
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HON. SAM FARR
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, Tooday I am introducing the
``Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act of 2001'' It is a bill to combat the unfair and inhumane practice of ``canned hunting.''
At more than 1,000 commercial ``canned hunt'' operations across the country, trophy hunters pay a fee to shoot captive exotic animals--from African lions to giraffes to blackbuck antelope--in fenced enclosures in which the animals have no reasonable chance of escape. Most of the hunts are guaranteed--in that the ranch owner assures the ``client'' that he will secure an exotic trophy. It's a ``no kill, no pay'' arrangement. The animals on hunting ranches--procured from exotic animal dealers--have often lived a life being fed by hand and have little or no fear of humans; that fact, coupled with their confinement in a fenced area, all but assure a successful ``hunt.''
This bill will complement the efforts undertaken by states to restrict this practice. California and other states already outlaw this practice. In November 2000, voters in Montana approved a ballot initiative to ban the practice of shooting animals in fenced enclosures. The individuals who spearheaded this campaign were, it is important to note, lifelong hunters. They were members of groups such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Montana Wildlife Federation, and the Montana Bowhunters' Association--all of which avidly support hunting, but oppose canned hunts. This is a strong indicator that
``canned hunts'' are out of step with common principles governing responsible hunting.
The regulation of the transport and treatment of exotic mammals on shooting preserves, however, falls outside the traditional domains of state agriculture departments and state fish and game agencies. In short, these animals often fall into regulatory limbo at the state level. In order to address this problem, which directly involves an issue of interstate commerce, since exotic mammals are those which typically are sold across state lines or imported because they are not native to the United States, I am introducing the ``Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act.''
This bill will halt the interstate shipment of exotic mammals for the purpose of being shot in a fenced enclosure for entertainment or a trophy. It is sensible legislation that is backed by responsible hunters, animal protection advocates, wildlife scientists, environmentalists, and zoological professionals. The Senate has the same bill before it for consideration.
This bill will not limit the licensed hunting of any native mammals or any native or exotic birds. The state fish and game agencies regulate and license the hunting of native species. A federal remedy is needed, however, to deal with the purely commercial interstate movement of exotics destined to be killed at ``canned hunting'' ranches.
This bill supports responsible hunting, while curbing something so out-of-bounds with hunting norms that hunters and animal advocates alike view it as unfair and inhumane.
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