Columbus (Dec. 01, 2004) - Ten sportsmen’s organizations, businesses and publications launched the first steps in the defense of bowhunting against new attacks against the sport.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance convened a conference call of national bowhunting interests in the wake of the announced merger of the Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals. The newly formed mega-animal rights group declared bowhunting as a primary target.

Participants were provided a report on the combined capabilities of the new animal rights organization. The groups agreed to design and implement a plan to meet and defeat the threat to bowhunting.

“There was widespread understanding of the need to prepare,” said Rick Story, senior vice president of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. “There was also widespread agreement that sportsmen have the capability to defeat this threat if we organize now.”

Conference call participants included the Archery Trade Association, Bowhunting Magazine, Bowhunting.net, Bowhunting World Magazine, the Bowsite, the International Bowhunting Organization, National Bowhunter Education Foundation, National Field Archery Association, Pope and Young Club and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.

The organizations will meet in January during the Archery Trade Association Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.