I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully to defend from waste the natural resources of my country - its soil and minerals, its forests, waters and wildlife.

The California Sportsman's Lobbyand its charitable/educational arm the California Wildlife Federation have been advocating wildlife conservation from the sportsman's perspective for over forty years. Our representation of hunting issues at the capitol and with the Department of Fish & Game has been largely responsible for stemming the anti-hunting tide that is eroding our hunting heritage and u ndermining sound wildlife management. In order to change the public and political perception of hunting and conservation, three things must occur:

1. A strong political image in the state legislature that includes at least one full time lobbyist and an office staff to support that effort. Currently underfunded, but still effective, CSL is that body and functions under a 501 (c) (4) tax exempt charter.

2. A statewide communication system supported by the broadest spectrum of interests associated with the hunting, fishing, trapping and land use community. This system must have the ability and pro-active goals of reaching not only its constituency base, but also the public at large.

,3. A Political Action Committee must be formed so that we can support those legislators who believe in our goals.

Sportsmen cannot afford to be without a full time lobbyist in Sacramento.

The California Sportsman's Lobby(CSL) is the organization of hunters and fisherman that maintains a full time lobbyist in Sacramento. Our lobbyist, Ms. Kathryn Lynch of Lynch & Associates, has represented Sportsmen and Sportswomen since 1989. She has a history of successfully defending Californians against attempts to pass laws that would limit or totally eliminate the outdoor activites we love

During the 1993 - 1994 legislative session, Ms. Lynch coordinated CSL and other grass roots organizations to defeat bills that would have banned the use of dogs for hunting bears and would have banned all taking of bobcats. Our lobbyist also played a key role in changing proposed laws to remove asset forfeiture provisions for game violations and to prevent a proposed lifetime ban from hunting ans fishing for people who committed only minor violations.

CSL has learned that one of the greatest values of a full time lobbyist is to diligently guard against the quick but devastating amendment of an otherwise good bill. Ms. Lynch has caught and defeated amendments that would have stopped all sport hunting of elk and antelope in California, and she has exposed amendments that would have made simply possession of more than two gall bladders proof that the person was illegally selling them!

Recently, Ms. Lynch and CSL worked to stop a proposed new law (AB 1010) that would have outlawed raffling firearms, firearm components or ammunition at fund-raisers. Ms. Lynch received an early warning about the bill and was able to alert the sportsman's community. Because of this, sportsmen were able to mobilize against if and with Ms. Lynch's lobbying efforts the bill was stopped.

CSL does more than simply oppose unwise bills. It works with concerned citizens and business interests to solve wildlife problems. Recently, Ms. Lynch worked with the agriculture community to resolve the problem of wild pig damage to private property without the needles waste of the resource or the loss of hunting opportunities. The new law recognizes the needs of both agriculture and the sporting public.

Sportsmen have an imortant interest that must be protected in Sacramento. An effective sportsman's lobbyist must look out for those interests, work effectively with legislators, deal with competing interests, and help sportsmen maintain their position in the complicated balance that is government. CSL has been able to succeed by maintaing and working with a competent professional.

To maintain the strength of our positions and ensure he balance necessary to protect fish, game and the sportsmen and sportswomen who love them, CSL must continue to have the best professional help possible.

The anti-hunting faction wants to do away with all modes of hunting and fishing. They will continueto chip away at individual methods until hunting and fishing is totally gone. It is up to us as sportsmen and women to see that they don't succeed. But it takes money. What you can do to help is join or renew your membership in CSL and help us raise funds for the support of our lobbyist and for the campaigns that are coming.

We need your help to maintain our full time lobbyist in Sacramento. Help us watch out for your interests and the interests of all sportsmen.