As expected, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation over the weekend that ends the bobcat season in California until 2025 and into the foreseeable future. The legislation (AB 1254), which was backed by the Humane Society of the United States and introduced by Assembly Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove’s (D-Los Angeles), was opposed by the California Department of Finance.
California’s Department of Finance wrote that implementation of AB 1254 will put a significant amount of financial stress on the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. The bill will also hinder the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) ability to carry out its core programs. DFW stands to lose around $42,000 a year for the next five years as a result of banning bobcat hunting. The Department of Finance estimates that if needed, the re-opening of bobcat hunting would cost taxpayers $2.75 million dollars in just the first year alone.
Californians can now expect more unwanted interactions with people, pets and livestock, and taxpayers will be responsible for the cost of problem bobcats.
“Governor Newsom and the California legislature continue to do everything they can to end all forms of hunting,” said Luke Houghton, Sportsmen’s Alliance associate director of state services. “AB 1254 is a perfect example of how the animal-rights community disregards the scientific management of species and fiscal responsibility in order to pass their own agenda.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.