Advocacy
THE WSF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ENSURES POLICIES
FAVORABLE FOR PUTTING AND KEEPING WILD SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN
We are focused on creating disease-free safe zones because disease is the biggest obstacle to restoring and sustaining wild sheep herds.
In the lower 48 states of the U.S. and Mexico, where domestic sheep are widespread, this means working neighbor-to-neighbor with woolgrowers on local agreements and with federal and state legislatures and agencies. In Canada and Alaska, where pneumonia has not taken hold, we are preventing that from happening in the first place.
Where we are able to control disease, several other issues come into play as we help restore and manage wild sheep herds and sustain ethical, scientifically-regulated hunting.
Our mission is one of many in the American Wildlife Conservation Partnership that carries on Hunting Heritage in North America.
ISSUES AND POSITIONS
Restoration: Wild sheep, like many other big game animals in North America, were depleted severely in the 20th century before sportsmen began widespread restoration efforts (see Hunting Heritage).
Disease: Pneumonia is limiting restoration of wild sheep because the deadly bacteria are carried by domestic sheep, transmitted to wild sheep, and also passed among wild sheep.
Hunting Regulations and Access: ethical, scientifically-regulated hunting is a necessary part of conservation for sheep as well as other wildlife.
Hunting Heritage: hunting and sportsmen-led conservation are important American traditions that must be ensured in policy.
Federal Public Lands: America’s public lands are national treasures and are a unique part of our heritage deserving of our best efforts to share their many values widely.
