It is too early to know for sure, but the incoming Trump administration appears to be friendly to hunters.
Exhibit A is a piece written by Tal Kopan that appeared Dec. 9 at www.cnn.com., headlined, "How Trump son's passion for hunting is shaping search for interior secretary."
The inspiration for this piece was an article in Forbes in which writer and author Frank Miniter interviewed Donald Trump Jr. about his views on hunting and the importance of hunting on public land.
Eric Trump is also an avid hunter. President-elect Trump has often mentioned his sons' affinity for hunting.
Miniter's piece strongly suggested that Donald Jr. and Eric would be the Trump Administration's proxy conscience on conservation issues. The CNN piece reinforced that sentiment.
If that is true, Trump Jr. issued what appeared to be the incoming administration's mission statement on managing public land in an article that was posted in Wide Open Spaces, an online magazine.
"I will be the very loud voice about these issues in my father's ear," Trump Jr. said. "We are going to make sure our issues are taken care of. We are going to take care of our lands. Even with the federal lands, they haven't been managed, they haven't been taken care of, and they've been beaten up and abused.
"We are going to be about making sure that Americans can get out and enjoy hunting and streams. These are all our woods and waters. It belongs to all of us, and we all have to be able to access it."
In the CNN piece, Kopan wrote, "One transition source said balancing the Trump siblings' natural inclinations toward conservation has been a key factor in the search for someone to run the Interior Department, which manages lands, wildlife, national parks and Native American affairs in its broad portfolio. The influence of Trump Jr.'s hunting passion and conservationist ways has heavily favored Western State candidates in the search."
Trump's has since nominated Ryan Zinke, a congressman from Montana, to be secretary of the interior.
Zinke released a statement that said, "I shall faithfully uphold Teddy Roosevelt's belief that our treasured public lands are 'for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.' I will work tirelessly to ensure our public lands are managed and preserved in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come."
Several conservation and environmental groups have issued statements regarding Zinke's nomination. Some endorse him. Some oppose him.
The Dallas Safari Club released a statement Monday that said, "DSC is pleased to see the position filled by an ardent proponent of continued access to public lands and a champion of conservation."
In the statement, Ben Carter, the DSC's executive director, said Zinke ... has a lifelong love of hunting and fishing. During his time in Congress, Zinke has a track record of backing hunter's rights. He announced his support for the Sportsmen's Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Enhancement Act, which contained seven provisions to reauthorize or implement ways to fund conservation programs on federal and private lands."
Another line caught our eye.
"We are excited to see how he handles the critical issues facing wildlife and wild places."
That seems to reflect some uncertainty.
On Dec. 15, Ducks Unlimited made a much more terse and tepid statement that stopped short of an endorsement. Dale Hall, DU's CEO, said, "We are pleased to see a hunter and conservationist nominated to the top public lands position and look forward to working with Rep. Zinke on issues of critical importance to conservation."
The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Association, based in Missoula, Mont., also endorsed Zinke in a Dec. 13 statement that read, "Congressman Zinke understands the importance of public lands and balancing management of these important resources with energy development and other uses."
In the next sentence was a line that also seemed to reflect uncertainty. It said, "As Montana's lone representative in the House of Representatives, Mr. Zinke has showed himself to be receptive to the interests of a wide range of constituents and a potential ally of sportsmen and other outdoor recreationists."
"Potential ally?" That sounds skeptical.
As one who does most of his hunting and fishing on public lands and waters, I hope that any enthusiasm over Zinke's nomination is justified, and that any misgivings over his nomination are unjustified.
I also hope that the new administration departs from the federal government's longstanding preservationist doctrine for public land and embraces a holistic, conservation-based management philosophy.
That would be good for wildlife, and good for the sportsmen who treasure them.
Sports on 12/25/2016