Friday, March 24, 2006

Waiting for the Legislators Again http://www.deer-forums.com/discus/messages/2/13759.html?1143237665 Rodney Bruce, Hoosier shoot farm operator and litigant for canned hunts being legalized in Indiana, has another post: Update in Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Discussion Forums: Announcements and News in the Industry: Update in Indiana Posted by R_bruce on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 02:08 pm: The lawsuit gives us a "great" chance of being removed from the DNR authority all together. We will be able to operate and prosper like the preserves in other States. Obviously you do not take a chance like this without having good reason to believe you will prevail. It was very clear the legislators did not want us shut down. By advice of Attorneys and key legislators we have maintained the lawsuit to fight for what is right. Worst case scenerio we lose in court- at that point the legislators will step up and help us during the next session when the court proceedings are over. Obviously a compromise would be good for everyone. We will just have to see how the next few years play out. The anticipated injunction next week will be very helpful in proving we have been right all along.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

WHAT THE CANNED OPERATORS ARE PLANNING ... http://www.deer-forums.com/discus/messages/2/13759.html?1143060829# Update in Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Discussion Forums: Announcements and News in the Industry: Update in Indiana Posted by R_bruce on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 06:13 pm: The best "offer" to date in settling this thing was to allow the preserves to operate for 7 years along with a bunch of rediculous stipulations. Obviously a "legally" operating industry is not going to resolve for a 7 year death sentence. We have an excellent case in court that will remove us from the DNR "assumed" jurisdiction. The the industry will boom in Indiana with new start ups trying to keep up with the demand from sportsmen. There are multiple suits being prepared in Indiana. Some for monetary damages and some removing the DNR from their assumed jurisdiction. We anticipate getting the injunction next week which will prevent the DNR from doing anything until the court proceedings are over. As everyone knows the court dealings will take years and years. The injunction will allow us to operate during that time. The Governor has finally been making comments about acknowledging the fact that the DNR gave us written permission to start our businesses. That may also be an avenue to resolve this. As for now we are still hunting this fall and will fight until out interest are protected. Thanks for the support.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

AND THE GAMES BEGIN ... http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/14153061.htm Well, enjoy the moment for the ban on canned hunts. For 90 days Hoosiers can expect zero,nada, nothing, nichts to happen. After that time the Governor will sign "it." Then the REAL fun begins. As we get closer and closer to the next hunting (business) season ....... compromise, compromise, compromise. They will compromise until you won't be able to get a nose hair of difference between what the 12 - 15 operators wanted all along from the legislature, and the "administrative" agreement the Governor is already babbling about. Find another business where you can circumvent the legislature, operate on a wink-wink from some field personnel, and then get the state taxpayers to buy you out????? Since this will all be in litigation there goes the right to public information on the details. Who are the 12 - 15 operators? .... EXACTLY? ..... and where did they get their shoot to kill stock? And how have they been filing their tax returns? It would have been quicker, neater, and less lucrative for many lawyers if the legislature had just agreed to buy them out, but there is the ritual dance for the public which must be carried out. Three steps forward and then back to square one .... with a sunset clause that could have, would have, been agreed on last month except that the public howled for this TO STOP. So, sadly this blog can't close out yet. Enjoy the moment. We have a ban - but not really. Thanks to the NRC Committee. Thanks to the DNR Director. Good job. But - why not surprise us and not agree to extortion in 90 days? Keep checking in. With the canned hunt ban kind of, sort of, but not really in place yet, the public attention will drift and then WHAMMO...... here comes the Governor's "administrative" solution - Note to the Governor: Why not consider the profits already taken (and enjoyed) as compensation, let them extirpate present stock (no restocking), and get on with it. If they continued to have enough spare cash around to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in their individual live antlers and semen without legislative authority, maybe they shouldn't be rewarded for their "investment." Maybe. Just think about it, OK?

Good News - So far. At today's NRC meeting held in Indianapolis, IN - The Natural Resource Committee upheld the Emergency Rule issued several months earlier by DNR Director, Kyle Hupfer. The Emergency Rule bans high fence hunting of cervids and exotics in Indiana. Early accounts say the vote was unanimous - with the exception of the ever oppositional former Republican Representative, R. Mangus. Will keep you posted as confirmed reports are received. At this point - congratulations are in order for the members of the Natural Resource Committee who did not capitulate to the pressures of the few and the wealthy. Further kudos are due for the Director of the DNR, Kyle Hupfer, who has publicly made good on his word. Every bit of it. We know he has withstood political pressure on his stand against this type of "hunting." It took a hefty internal moral core to issue this particular rule in the first place. Even more to stick with it. There will be additional challenges as this rule snakes through the system, ultimately making its way to the Governor's desk. The citizens who have found this type of "recreation" appalling, thank him for his courage in the face of hostility from the country club "hunters". It's not over until Gov. Daniels signs off. Who knows what goes on behind closed legislative doors in Indianapolis? But - for today - the DNR and the Natural Resource Committee members have definitely earned a "thumbs up". It is a pleasure to have state officials that actually listen to the regular people - not just the ones with extra campaign cash to throw around. More later - we are still waiting for Governor Daniel's "silver bullet" to end this unauthorized, unregulated agribusiness. Will let you know when he takes aim and delivers.

Monday, March 20, 2006

So - Bluff or Real Stuff? Does our vote or our dollar count in Indiana? Tomorrow we see if the donations made to Governor Daniels election campaign will finally payoff for the canned hunt operators. The legislature did NOT authorize canned hunting in Indiana - whoops - now what does the DNR do? After all, the shoot farm suppliers did publicly say this was a "done deal" if it got to the Governor's desk. It didn't make it to his desk LEGISLATIVELY, so what can he do to give these 12-15 citizens a millionaire monopoly? I know. I know. Revise the Emergency Rule and pay them off! And - give them some extra hunting seasons to boot. Oh - to keep the "peeps" happy, let's proclaim that a monopoly (no new "farms" allowed) be given to these operators. That'll fool 'em super good. http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/14141878.htm The continuing saga of the 12 - 15 VIP canned hunt operators vs the Hoosier Public will be showcased tomorrow at the Natural Resource Commission Meeting. What we can expect to find out tomorrow:
  • Will the DNR fold on its own Emergency Rule and settle this "administratively" as the Governor said in a recent posted article?
  • Will the DNR grant "compensation" and future canned hunt seasons to these canned hunt operators?
  • Will the DNR give state money AND a business monopoly to the 12 - 15 VIP Hoosiers even though the State Legislature did NOT authorize the operation of these shoot farms, did NOT give them additional hunting seasons, and did NOT authorize canned hunting as a legitimate Hoosier agribusiness?
  • Will the Governor value your vote, your opinion or your cash contributions? Instead of comments to the Natural Resource Committee, maybe we should just send dollar bills. "Post It" notes stuck on dollar bills may prove to be the most effective method of communicating with the Hoosier executive branch after all!

Tomorrow we find out.

Was the IDNR ever serious about the ban on shoot farms in Indiana? Were they hoping that the legislature would save them from the embarrassment of having to backtrack on their own Emergency Rule? Did anyone's opinion ever matter on this issue or was this all preordained nonsense?

Sit tight. Will keep you posted.

Let's see what our DNR and our Governor are made of ...

Bluff or the Real Stuff?

You can call the IDNR tomorrow and see what they did. Did they stand by their own Emergency Rule and stick with the ban on high fence hunting of cervids and exotics?

IDNR (317)232-4020

Governor Daniels (317)232-4567

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Architect Grubb of Canned Hunt Taxpayer Extortion Amendment Says:
"I have never heard even one complaint against canned hunting."
The March 9 Journal Gazette wrote about Rep. Grubb:
" ...That wasn't good enough for Rep. Dale Grubb, D-Covington, one of the four conferees on the bill who must sign off on any conference committee report deleting the provision. He said he wouldn't approve any report until the owners are taken care of."
GOT THAT???? - "TAKEN CARE OF"
Wow - Double Wow - We know ALL sorts of folks (author included) that have emailed this guy and told him their viewpoint on this. Maybe he doesn't get email? Maybe he doesn't read email? Maybe he needs a new assistant? What did he do with the photos and letters that were sent to him? Mailed some of those myself..... this guy really needs to get in touch with the Hoosier public. Yeah - and all those years of editorials in the Hoosier newspapers ...... he doesn't read them either? Man, what' up with politicos these days? Where did HE go to school? Must be one of them childs left behind.....
You know, I think he's joshing with us. I bet both he AND his assistant can read! At any rate, he sure knows how to write amendments and give away taxpayer money! Can't read but knows how to write and extort ...... fascinating.
Anyway, can you help educate this Representative who will be one of FOUR Legislators that will have a final say in giving away $$millions$$ to 15 operators?
What is truly sad and just amazing is that - this "never heard a complaint" legislator managed to write up such a big bold boondoggle amendment for 15 already "heavy in the pocket" shooter buck investors.
Hoosier "farmers" CAN already sell deer meat and semen (urine, too!) This ain't about farming ..... this is about those 15 game farm owners who have been taking advantage of Hoosiers who didn't even know this kind of "stuff" was legal in Indiana. Now we have to pay them millions of OUR money to go away?
So - this politico doesn't read. Maybe he can listen? Or his assistant can both listen and take messages?
There is no time to write. Can't resend those photos, editorials, and letters. BUT - you can call his assistant and leave a message. Call the 800 number. Then ask to speak to the assistant for Representative Dale Grubb. Don't leave a message. He doesn't read them. Ask to speak to the assistant and when you are connected, talk very:
1. politely
2. plainly (no big words)
3. S-L-O-W-L-Y
Tell Representative Dale Grubb that you are COMPLAINING ABOUT CANNED HUNTING IN INDIANA. You don't like it. You don't want to reward these 15 people with a monopoly ... AND YOU SURE AS HECK DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM MILLIONS of OUR State Taxpayer Dollars just so they GO AWAY!
You can reach this fine legislator (who knows how to write and extort, but not read) at: 1-800-382-9842
OR
Email Rep. Dale Grubb at: h42@in.gov
By the time you read this, it may already be too late. He and the other canned hunt bad boys are working at fever pitch figuring out how to get money to these 15 ship and shoot operators. Friday (3/11) is the last day to call - but emails can go out right now. Maybe someone will read them to him .....

GOV. DANIELS Attempts to Pitch and Deal for Campaign Contributors who want to legalize canned hunts in Indiana ... (Note to reader: check and see what group gave Gov. Daniels $20,00o.00 in campaign donations .....) http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/14055708.htm In a last minute attempt to either get cash (taxpayer) payment to 15 special Hoosiers who have invested in shooter bucks (live trophy antlers) as a secondary business, or allow these same operators a MONOPOLY for seven more years to cash in on their hundred thousand dollar investments, Daniels continues to pitch for "compromise." Hey, do you think getting $20,000 in campaign donations from the game farmers (cutely named Sportsmen's PAC) www.indianacampaignfinance.com could be influencing his sense of "fairness" for these special Hoosiers? Ya think, just maybe? THE INDIANA legislature NEVER AUTHORIZED this business - even though the game operators tried every single year since 1999. THEY NEVER GOT a bill authorizing them as a legitimate business in Indiana. NEVER. Maybe, just maybe, they should have taken those EXTRA hundreds of thousands of dollars and put them in a CD or under the mattress until THEY GOT LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL. It is COMPENSATION ENOUGH that they get to keep their earnings from this unauthorized "business." They took a risk. They circumvented the laws. They voted for Daniels. Now they want cash (taxpayer) money to to go away? That is commonly called EXTORTION. How many other businesses can circumvent the legislature for years and then DEMAND A CASH BUYOUT or MONOPOLY FOR ANOTHER SEVEN YEARS? Apparently there is no 800 number at which to leave the Governor a message. So - cough up a few cents or use your cell phone minutes:
(317)232-4567
No sweet deals for special contributors. Our wildlife policies are NOT FOR SALE.
It is legal to sell deer for meat, urine, antlers, and semen. So - let them SELL MEAT according to USDA slaughter laws.
BUT - No spearing and shooting retired circus and zoo animals. Not in Indiana.
No matter HOW MUCH THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE DANIELS CAMPAIGN!
Calls needed today and tomorrow. They are working feverishly to get taxpayer cash or a monopoly by the weekend. Only YOU can call out the Governor on this ......

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

The Bad Boys are at it AGAIN! http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/14008277.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp Can it be? Yes, sadly. SB 87 is Extortion. Faced with only one week left to orchestrate a sweet money deal for the 15 special canned hunt operators in Indiana, Senator Jackman and Rep. Friend are back at it . The game farm owners we have been writing about - the ones who have been circumventing the Indiana legislature by supplying deer and exotics (retired zoo animals etc) for canned hunt operations are once again wheeling and dealing to either legalize these operations or force the Indiana taxpayers to give up millions of dollars as pay off money to these 15 operators. ( Those would be Hoosier dollars - intended to to operate and maintain our state natural resources.) You read that right. They are now extorting the Indiana taxpayers - beating us over the head to give these 15 guys the green light to continue to circumvent the legislature (and natural resource commissioners) or PAY THEIR CONSTITUENTS Off with OUR money! These legislators are asking Hoosiers to buy these guys out! At a cost of millions of Hoosier tax dollars... Unbelievable? You bet. Jackman, Friend, Grubb, and Guttwein are sweet talking their fellow legislators (and probably doing a bit of horsetrading and back slapping to boot!) in order to allow these canned hunt operators to continue to do business (with a grandfather clause giving them MONOPOLY status) or pay them off. WOW. No subtlety there ...... Give these 15 operators Hoosier natural resource money, or look the other way while they continue their dastardly business as usual. Call the Senate now - 1-800-382-9842 While you're at it - tell the Governor to stop these extortionist legislators - Call Governor Daniels at - (317)232-4567 Tell them NO NO NO - No canned hunts - No extortion of Hoosiers - NO SB87. These bad boy legislators are working fast at this deal - call NOW. They only have a few days left to shaft us on behalf of these 15 very, very special canned hunt operators. (P.S. It is legal to sell deer meat, deer urine, antlers and semen ...... these guys want to sell live trophy antlers on the hoof, at taxpayer expense.) Don't let them get away with this. We have better uses for our tax money.