One of the nation's leading anti-hunting groups has issued a notice to thousands of newspapers nationwide asking that they stop printing hunting and trapping articles in their outdoor columns.

The Fund for Animals Program Coordinator, Norm Phelps, sent an open letter to over 2,000 newspaper editors and the presidents of several sports cable channels calling for them to stop promoting hunting and trapping in their articles and on their broadcast shows.

Phelps claims in his letter that hunting is not a sport, but rather legalized cruelty to animals. He says newspapers that encourage people to “kill defenseless animals for fun” are extremely irresponsible and that hunting columns bring shame upon the publications.

Thousands of outdoor writers and millions of sportsmen know differently. Outdoor columns that discuss America’s hunting heritage help educate the public about the sportsmen’s key role in wildlife conservation. There are over 40 million sportsmen in the United States, and many of them appreciate outdoor columns as information sources and news outlets for their hobbies and interests.

Take Action! American sportsmen should contact their local newspapers and let them know that Fund for Animals has over-stepped its bounds. Hunting and fishing are legal and legitimate activities enjoyed by millions. These subjects should not be shunned from discussion in our nation’s newspapers.

For contact information for your local newspaper, visit the WLFA homepage and click on the Legislative Action Center – Media Contact Guide. This guide provides visitors with names and contact information for national and local newspapers and local television stations.