Chairman of "non-partisan" Ohio Wildlife Council stumps for Obama

By Larry S. Moore

Mr. Lee Howley, Chairman of the Ohio Wildlife Council, recently distributed an editorial to media outlets across Ohio. Mr. Howley’s editorial is titled, “Guns shouldn’t be the only issue for sportsmen”. It puts forth a position that the Presidential election should be about more than guns for Ohio sportsmen. While his letter carefully does not mention Barack Obama, it certainly parrots the position of the Obama campaign, the Americans Hunters and Shooters Association, and others who support the Democratic candidate for President.

Mr. Howley’s letter is troubling on several points. I do not believe Mr. Howley should have signed his letter as “Chairman of the Ohio Wildlife Council”. I regularly attend the Ohio Wildlife Council meetings, although I have missed the last couple. I have checked and do not find any reference to the Ohio Wildlife Council approving any resolution or action authorizing Mr. Howley to pen his letter under the direction of the Ohio Wildlife Council. In my opinion, Mr. Howley signed the letter as the Chairman in order to convey influence and knowledge in an attempt to get more editors to publish the letter and to sway unknowing sportsmen to Obama.

The Ohio Wildlife Council functions as the public oversight committee for the ODNR, Division of Wildlife. The Council has final approval for all the rules and regulations regarding Ohio’s vast natural resources and wildlife that fall under the management of the Division of Wildlife. State law specifies that the Council be comprised of equal numbers of Republican and Democrat participants plus representatives of the farming community and other requirements. This is done to provide a balanced committee to properly manage our natural resources without partisan politics being interjected into the rule making process.

Historically, the Ohio Wildlife Council has maintained high standards of ethical conduct keeping partisan politics out of Council proceedings. Members, past and present, should be applauded for those efforts. Certainly many members of the Ohio Wildlife Council, past and present, have been involved in political activities as private citizens. If Mr. Howley wishes to express his position as a private citizen, that is his right. Unfortunately, in my opinion, Mr. Howley has gone over the boundary line by using his esteemed position as Chair of the Ohio Wildlife Council to clearly influence sportsmen votes to the Democratic Presidential candidate. This is indeed a serious mistake in judgment and casts a shadow over the Ohio Wildlife Council.

Additionally, Mr. Howley speaks of the “right to enjoy your sport” referencing hunting and target shooting. While many of us strongly believe that our heritage may pass down a right to hunt and fish, there is no such right expressed in the State of Ohio Constitution or the Constitution of the United States. The right to possess and bear arms is clearly spelled out in both the Constitution of Ohio and the United States. Nothing is mentioned of hunting, target shooting or sport in the Second Amendment.

Mr. Howley has clearly bought into the Obama rhetoric while ignoring the track record of previous votes. Mr. Howley generously pointed out the McCain votes on selected conservation issues and ignored the Obama votes that threaten the Second Amendment. These votes have included allowing firearms manufacturers to be sued out of existence, banning of guns that don’t fit some definition of political correctness, or raising taxes on guns and ammo beyond what anyone but the privileged can afford.

Other influential people are also promoting the same concept. Perhaps they believe that the anti-gun crowd and Obama will not come after their shotguns. Or perhaps a huge increase in taxes on guns and ammo can be absorbed because they live in a privileged world beyond the reach of many, if not most, of us who hunt and fish. I only know it is hard enough putting the diesel fuel in my truck for the deer hunting trips to southeastern Ohio without paying more taxes – on anything! Or perhaps they believe because of their support and privileges, their guns will somehow be exempted.

The conservation issues and Second Amendment issues are critically important in this, and every, election. But when push comes to shove, as it has in this election, I have to put my vote squarely on the Second Amendment. Too many politicians say things, take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution, and then work to tear down that same Constitution. The Obama track record is a clear threat to gun owners. No doubt about that in my mind. Even Hillary Clinton was right when she claimed you can’t trust Barack Obama with your guns.

The battle over protecting the Constitution of the United States is critical to the type of country and society that we will be in the future. Will we have a government that respects the rights of the Constitution, and therefore, “we the people” to own guns, assemble, have free speech and enjoy property rights? Or will we become a society where government increasingly tramples on individual freedoms, restricts the activity of the citizens, and increasingly controls the lives of “we the people”? The Obama track record strongly indicates a history of increased governmental controls. And I call that increased socialism!

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Association and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award and 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year.