Today, during Full Committee markup of H.R. 5388, a bill to expand boundaries of the Cibola National Forest in the State of New Mexico, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Ranking Member Rob Bishop (UT-01) offered an amendment to allow hunters the use of wheeled, muscle-powered carts for the removal of game.  Shockingly, Resources Democrats unanimously voted against this common sense amendment—a flip-flop from their support of the same amendment during a June 16^th markup of H.R. 3914.  Either Democrats are playing political games or the anti-wheeled, muscle power cart lobby has been hard at work over the last month twisting Democrat arms.  Click here for the roll call vote.

“The right to hunt shouldn’t just be limited to those physically fit enough to carry their game out on their backs or who can afford to hire expensive guides and pack animals.  It makes no sense for Committee Democrats to unanimously support an identical provision a month ago for Colorado Wilderness and now deny the same provision for New Mexico Wilderness.  It’s unfortunate that generations of new hunters might be denied the opportunity to enjoy the sport because of today’s irrational decision making by the Majority,” said Rep. Bishop.

Unfortunately, this shortsighted decision by Committee Democrats has real world consequences that will affect hunters who rely on carts to assist in carrying shot game across rugged terrain.  There are over 100 million acres of Wilderness in the United States and hunting, though not technically prohibited by law, will in reality be limited to the edge of Wilderness areas except for those hunters wealthy enough to hire a guide and pack animals.

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