Wanted to let you know that we have a websit up and running now http://www.usow.org

We need input currently, and your time later. While this is still in its infancy it gives you a great opportunity to get in on the ground level of an organization to unify all consumptive users. We currently charge no money to join, so if you love consumptive use sports and wish to help however you can, come join us and sign up on the mail list.

Robert J.

Robert, I looked over your website and, other than being for all things warm and fuzzy, I can't figure out what your agenda is. Can you tell us, in a few sentences, what you are advocating? Thanks for your help.

I got this off the USOW website,, Sounds damn good!

The rally was awesome last March and I am looking forward to it this coming year..
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The Unified Sportsmen Of Washington was created in February 2003 by a concerted effort of consumptive use sportsmen in our state. We recognized the need for a representative group that is focused on being the voice of all consumptive users. USOW gives a place for all hunters and anglers to gather and have a focused voice in protecting our heritage for our children and the children of others. We know that the efforts put forth by our members (emails, telephone calls, legislative involvement, county and city involvement, and special genre groups) make a difference.

We held our first annual Sportsmans Legislative Day on March 20, 2003. Even on the dawn of war in Iraq, we had a dedicated group there protecting our rights and heritage. We will be holding a similar rally and legislative meeting day next year, so be prepared to attend.

The USOW does not charge any money to become a member, either personal membership or group. The only thing we ask you to give is some of your time. 10 minutes per week sending emails can mean the difference between defeat and passing of bills currently in the legislature. Standing around the water cooler at work discussing hunting and fishing, in an informative manner, with colleagues can change attitudes. Educating the general public about what a consumptive user is... that's what we are all about.

If you feel it is time to get involved, to make something out of the spare time you have, to be able to look your children or grandchildren in the eye with a clear conscience when they ask you to take them hunting or fishing, if you feel it is time to make a difference.... then the Unified Sportsmen Of Washington is the place for you!
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Our objective is:


To act as a link between the consumptive user, conservation/hunting/fishing organizations, the legislature, and the media.

To educate the general public and legislature so they may make informed decisions regarding fish and wildlife in Washington state. Too often the public is swayed by images on television that have little basis in fact and are promoted through sensationalism and misinformation.

To promote the use of scientific study and data to manage our fish and wildlife. Too often public opinion is relied upon to manage our fish and wildlife. Defensive scientific study and weeding through public opinion detracts money from true and accurate scientific data that should be used.

To act as legislative liaison between the Washington state sportsmen/women and the issues concerning them in the legislature through the release of action alerts and requests for action.


Our goals are:


To respect and uphold the cultural upbringing, heritage, and values instilled in us by our parents with respect to fishing and hunting. To pass this on to our children, and promote this within children that do not have the opportunity to experience that which this country was built upon.

To better protect our fish and game animals through implementation of stronger enforcement. This includes an increase in enforcement officers to protect our fish and wildlife, clarification and implementation of laws currently set forth to protect our fish and wildlife, and a push for maximum penalties for those who choose to ignore the laws protecting our fish and wildlife.

To encourage more volunteer help with habitat restoration and enhancement for fish and wildlife across our state. Currently the average sportsman donates approximately 100-200 hours per year to enhance fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing opportunities in our state.

Like I said --- all the "warm and fuzzies". I'd like some specifics if they are available.

Thumper,
This can't be explained in a couple sentences, so bear with me.

What we are advocating is simple, a unified voice with hunters and anglers on the same side protecting their rights against AR groups as well as legislature and general public.

I know this sound vague, however I can not give you specific stances as the congressional session is finished for this year and we are preparing for what will be thrown our way next year. For too long the consumptive user has been pigeon holed into; Anglers (fly fishers, pluggers, bait casters, bait users, catch and release, and consumptive), hunters (bow... traditional and compound, upland bird, waterfowl, big game, small game, muzzleloader, varminter, target shooter, etc.) and other (trappers, falconers, hounders, etc.). It is time these groups came together to realize that we are all on the same side.

The loss of one portion of the "consumptive user" group is a loss to all the others. While this may sound like a "sky is falling" speech it really is factual. AR groups are pushing for banning of fishing, hunting, and any other form of activity they deem to be "harmful and cruel." There are MANY AR websites out there advocating just this sort of attack on our lifestyle and I will not give them the free publicity here.

I have sat and watched hounding get removed because people didn't do it and thus didn't care if it was eliminated, hunting bear over bait happened the same way. People got caught up in the "warm fuzzies" that were televised during the anti-trapping push. All of this was lost due to the division among consumptive users. Keep in mind, any form of activity that involves fish and wildlife is considered consumptive unless it is only pursued with camera (yes, catch and release is legally considered consumptive) and the AR groups are pushing the legislators to enact laws that favor them.

Hunting and fishing is not a right under the state constitution, therefore we have no protection other than unification and enacting a strong focused voice to let the legislators know we will fight these laws at every turn. I have never trapped, nor do I intend to... but I will defend the right for others to do so. I am a waterfowler at heart and occasionally fish, but I will fight the right of the angler to restore habitat that is scientifically supported to enhance salmon habitat.

Too often public opinion is used to manage our wildlife, too often it is used to establish seasonal limits, too often it is used to remove hunting areas that are used to teach our children, too often it is used to close down firing ranges that our police use to train on. Public opinion runs rampant and it isn't the majority that gets things done, it is the VERY vocal minority. I have seen it first hand, and you have too. Each time you see degredation of fish populations, each time you see an area your family used to hunt get closed due to "public safety", each time you stop talking about the weekend trip in a resturant or at work due to the looks you get.

It is time for the vocal minority to be challenged. It is time for the consumptive use sportsman/woman/child to stand up and defend their heritage. It is time for all of us to actually do something to protect that which we love rather than sit on our laurels and reap the benefits of the few hard workers that maintain these for us. It is time to take responsibility for our own actions.

As far as I know, the USOW is one of the only groups out there that is attempting education of people (members and public) on how to battle the issues that concern us most, for free. Our goal is to give each person the tools to take back to their special interest groups to battle the issues most concerning them. But at the same time, to lay down the prejudices and join the unity that is a consumptive user. We may not always agree with one form or the other, but we must ALWAYS support it. With out our support, they will never support our issues and vice versa. Division is killing what we love. AR groups are united to one single end, that is why 30 of them are so much stronger than 100 of us. They lay aside personal differences to work towards a common goal, we do not. They accept differences of opinion within the ranks as they understand unity, we do not.

That is what this organization was formed for. I hope this explains it. If not, let me know.

Robert J.

OK ..... OK ..... I think I am beginning to understand ..... sounds good ..... but --- what's an AR?

Animal Rights

Animal rights groups. They sound innocuous, they sound fairly simple. They act quite strangely at times by comparing the holocaust to chicken farms, they throw red paint on people wearing fur, they go on a lake in a huge yellow ducky and fire shotguns in the air to scare away waterfowl.

They are a crazy bunch for sure... it is so hard to believe anyone can take them seriously. Anglers have never had anything to fear in the past, but things are changing quickly....
With the recent study showing the nerve receptor cells in fish, the AR groups have been jumping all over this one. We have known for a long time that angling would come under fire.... now it has begun. And those that used to say we were crazy for thinking such a thing... we need your help, just like we asked years ago.

Robert J.

Robert

What does your group think of Washinton Trout?

I can telly ou what I think of it

They endorsed the HSUS/PAC in taking away a managment tool from the WDFW which in turn has become a huge expendature for many,
but you already knew that Grandpa.

So whos gonna volunteer for next years rally?

grandpa,

That is why we are looking for as diverse a group as possible. I wouldn't have been able to answer the question as driftboater did without a bit of research because I am not a deeply rooted fisherman. That is why the post is here on this forum.

We need people with the knowledge and experience of these groups to point them out. Trying to find an angling organization in this state is near to impossible. Web searches only list a couple and some of their contact information is wrong.

Come on over and give some insight. The worst that will happen is that you will receive some emails off the mailing list. The best that can happen.... only you can decide that

Robert J.