In early 2006, CWA formed the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) to improve our ability to address long-term and growing threats to hunting and recreational shooting in California.
To visit COHA's website, click here>>

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, CWA is restricted in the amount of lobbying activities it can conduct. COHA has been formed as a 501(c)(4) that has far greater flexibility to engage in lobbying to influence the legislative and regulatory decisions that threaten our hunting and shooting heritage and the wildlife and habitat upon which that heritage depends.

Donations to CWA are generally tax-deductible, but donations to COHA will generally not be tax-deductible.

Over the past several years, CWA has enjoyed tremendous
success in defeating anti-hunting and shooting legislation, protecting wildlife and wetland habitats, and ensuring public access for hunting. While we have maintained an unrivaled track record in this arena, it made sense to form an alliance to coordinate the common interests of numerous groups seeking to protect our hunting and shooting heritage. More political strength will come from both the pooling of financial
resources and the increased voter representation.

Why the concern? In 2004, two longstanding anti-hunting groups, the Humane Society of the U.S. and the Fund For Animals, merged and formed a 501(c)(4) backed by a newly combined budget of $95 million. According to their press releases, the purpose was to “accelerate our political work and influence by spending an unlimited amount on lobbying…. That means more lobbyists at the state and federal levels, more ballot initiatives, and more victories for animals. …we plan to put the animal abusers on the defensive and push forward a wide range of reforms for animals.”

Today, nearly 80 percent of the state’s population lives in urban areas, and the percentage of residents who hunt, fish, or shoot has declined dramatically. Consequently, fewer Californians understand and accept our right to engage in these outdoor activities – or the positive role hunters play in conserving habitat and wildlife. Lawmakers who represent this increasingly urban population at the City Council, County Board, State Legislature, and even in Congress are less accepting of hunting and shooting sports, and in many cases are actively opposed to them.

Together with the allied interest groups of COHA, the fight for hunter and recreational shooter rights can be raised to a whole new level. Hunters, shooters, and the wildlife and wildlands of California will be better served as a result.




The information for this story was excerpted from the Chair’s Message by Stuart Hanson that appeared in the May/June 2006 issue of California Waterfowl magazine.