What We've Been Up To

JAN HAAGENSEN'S UPDATE
ON HER HUNTER HARASSMENT CASE

The Magistrate Judge in my federal case is voting with the State Police and the Game Commission on the first summary judgment motion, and is arguing that the most crucial term in the statute, "harasses," was defined by the trial court. I say that the opinion and orders of conviction which came out of the trial court were of course VACATED and OVERTURNED by the appellate court; a federal judge shouldn't ignore what the state's higher courts have held as to the wrongness of my convictions, and shouldn't try to revise the record. The judge is also attempting to say that because the Game Commission published a pious internal advisory memorandum representing that its officers would NEVER do anything unconstitutional to protestors, the statute can stay on the books without any problems. I say that as long as the blatantly unconstitutional law is available to them, nothing stops the police or game wardens or individual hunters from framing even more false charges against citizens who report the crimes of hunters. I have just finished writing my objections to his report, which will be ruled on by the president judge in the western district.

Wish me luck! And LOVE YOUR CONSTITUTION!
Jan

Anne and Peter Muller
of C.A.S.H. guest lectured

Anne and Peter Muller of C.A.S.H. guest lectured, for the second year, against hunting in two classes: Environmental Ethics and Hunting at Green Moutain College in Vermont.

C.A.S.H. sent letters to the Chair and every member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources opposing S.1348, the Hunting Heritage Protection Act which would manage lands to support, promote, and enhance access for hunting. The letter will be posted online under www.abolishsporthunting.org/Letters replete with a search feature.

Overturn Hunter Harrassment Laws
LEGAL FUND

Jan Haagensen, Esq. is one of many victims of the Hunter Harassment law, which prohibits addressing a hunter while he is in the act of hunting. Jan can show specific damage done to her by Pennsylvania's attempt to prosecute her for numerous criminal offenses. Jan's case uniquely demonstrates that this gross abuse of her rights was made possible only through the deliberate application of the hunter harassment statute.

The courts will not take up a challenge to the constitutionality of a statute unless concrete damage from its application can be shown by an individual citizen. Jan's case, if successful, will provide a blueprint for countless landowners and law-abiding citizens who also wish to provide a refuge of safety for animals on their own property - and protect their own families from the danger of reckless hunters.

You can help Jan Haagensen to end any future use of this law by the government to force landowners to accept the invasion of their home ground by armed intruders, whose sole interest is in killing, and who have demonstrated their complete contempt for the lives and rights of other human beings and our wild brethren.

Stop Hunter Harassment Fund
C.A.S.H. - COMMITTEE TO ABOLISH SPORT HUNTING

When you’re not seeing our letters in your local newspaper, C.A.S.H. is hard at work reviewing information from around the country and suggesting changes and improvements to policies that have a detrimental impact on wildlife.

Sometimes we’re successful, sometimes we’re not, and many times we don’t know what impact we’ve had. There have been cases where C.A.S.H. has reached out to officials in an attempt to initiate dialog on important matters, and despite never being able to speak or meet with these officials in person, news accounts of events or the minutes of public meetings indicate that harmful policies had changed, or helpful policies had been adopted.
We chalk these victories up to YOU - our members and supporters - because you demanded action and those in charge listened. So even though we may not get that definitive “Yes C.A.S.H., we’ll do what you ask,” our impact is felt. Wildlife advocates outnumber hunters and trappers by an overwhelming margin, and our power is formidable when we’re organized and speak with one united voice.

Listed below are just a few of the many issues C.A.S.H. has addressed since our last newsletter went to press:
For more items please visit http://wildlifewatch.org/whatwevebeenupto

C.A.S.H./WILDLIFE WATCH/LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS

C.A.S.H./WILDLIFE WATCH/LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS
Presented at the Rockland County Legislature which is contemplating opening bow-hunting up in the county parks. Peter Muller gave a powerpoint presentation countering the one given by those who want huntng in Westchester and Rockland.

C.A.S.H. later sent out an action alert to its Rockland membership urging them to contact Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman of the Rockland County Legislature saying they will not tolerate hunting in the parks.

Peter Muller does a PowerPoint presentation at the Rockland County Legislature for the Committee that will make recommendations to the full legislature to allow hunting in County parks. Seated behind him are the two individuals who pushed for hunting in Westchester County.

Lee Sneden speaks directly from his heart to the legislators. The best reason to not give this proposed law consideration is that HUNTING IS
CRUEL!!!!

GREAT NEWS!
MARTIN VAN BUREN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WILL USE WILDLIFE REHABBERS INSTEAD OF BULLETS

Thank you to Chadwick Bovee for alerting C.A.S.H. to the fact that the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site had shot a groundhog for being a "nuisance."

The Chief Ranger of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site in Kinderhook, NY, was interviewed on a radio program and mentioned it. Wildlife Watch put out an action alert and one of our most active members, Connie Young, called the park to request that they cease and desist.

Wildlife Watch called the Chief who said that he only shot wild animals "when necessary." After an amicable discussion, Chief James McKay, said that he would be happy to call a wildlife rehabilitator with injured, orphaned, or nuisance wildlife in the future!

Other Endeavors

In cooperation with In Defense of Animals, C.A.S.H. contacted officials in New York’s Westchester County and urged them to cancel plans to allow bow hunting in two county parks. C.A.S.H. also sent an action alert to our members and to the animal rights community asking them to contact officials and voice their concerns.

When the city of Ballwin, MO made it known that they planned to kill harmless Canada geese living in the city parks, C.A.S.H. reached out to the mayor and city council and provided them with factual information about humane goose management. We also urged them to contact the leading experts in the field of goose control - the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of Canada Geese, and GeesePeace.

Additionally, we’ve been adding to and maintaining our database of hunting accidents, responding to member e-mail and requests for information, and fielding all that hate mail that we love so much. These are just a few of the many issues C.A.S.H. has been involved with over the past few months. We will continue to speak out for the protection of wildlife wherever we’re needed.
Thank you for your support!

TO HELP US CONTINUE THESE EFFORTS AND TO DO EVEN MORE, PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO C.A.S.H. TODAY!
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Selected Articles from our newsletter

The C.A.S.H. Courier

ARTICLE from the Fall 2009 Issue

C.A.S.H.'S LEGAL FUND