September 25, 2015

The Honorable Wayne Williams

Colorado Secretary of State
1700 Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80290
RE: Complaint against the Humane Society of the United States
Dear Secretary Williams:
We are writing to you on behalf of the millions of sportsmen-conservationists we represent to express our
strong support for the recent complaint filed with your office against the Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS).
Sportsmen and women have long been stewards of the land and our fish and wildlife resources, and
continue to be the most ardent conservationists today. Since the early 1900s, hunters, anglers, target
shooters, and associated industries have been the nations largest contributors to conservation, providing
more than $56.95 billion to conservation efforts. To this day, more than 80% of all funding for state fish
and wildlife agencies (the primary managers of our nations fish and wildlife resources) stems from
sportsmen and women through the American System of Conservation Funding. Sportsmen and women
also fuel our economy; Colorados 919,000 hunters and anglers spend $1.3 billion annually and support
18,693 jobs.
HSUS has assailed sportsmen and women in recent history, working daily to put an end to all hunting and
fishing. HSUS is ideologically opposed to hunting. When asked if he would let people hunt for food if
they did it responsibly, HSUS president and CEO, Wayne Pacelle, stated, Well, its a good question, I
think that I would campaign against it. Yes, I think that I would (page 254, Bloodties; Nature, Culture,
and the Hunt). As sportsmen and women continue to generate hundreds of millions of dollars a year in
conservation funding, HSUS in 2013 only made a $40,000 contribution for conservation (Schedule I of
HSUSs 2013 Form 990).
HSUS has long supported efforts to curtail and ultimately end hunting and fishing, including lobbying,
ballot measures, and litigation to: ban the use of traditional ammunition for hunting; ban the use of
lead tackle in fishing; ban the use of dogs for hunting; ban the hunting of bears, cougars, doves; support
bans on Sunday hunting in multiple states; oppose right to hunt and fish constitutional amendments;
support bans on bobcat hunting; and to ban hunting within a fenced area. Unfortunately, HSUS is able to
fund these efforts due to its deceptive fundraising efforts - running ads filled with dogs and cats. HSUS
intentionally misleads donors into thinking they are supporting local humane societies, when
in reality, they are lining their pockets and funding an extremist political agenda.
Last year, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt launched an inquiry into HSUSs fundraising, stating,
The concern is that the HSUS projects heart-wrenching imagery of puppies and kittens in solicitations in
order to extract donations from unsuspecting Oklahomans who believe their donations are going to help
local animal shelters, but instead, their hard-earned money may go to high-powered lobbying and special

The Honorable Wayne Williams

September 25, 2015
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interest campaigns that are determined to shape state and federal legislation that would harm farmers,
ranchers and other Oklahomans.
On behalf of groups listed below, representing millions of sportsmen-conservationists, we would
respectfully encourage you to take a close look at the fundraising activities of the Humane Society of the
United States, and take the appropriate steps needed in order to protect the public.
Sincerely,
Archery Trade Association
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Bear Trust International
Boone and Crockett Club
Camp Fire Club
Congressional Sportsmens Foundation
Conservation Force
Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports
Dallas Safari Club
Delta Waterfowl
Houston Safari Club
Masters of Foxhounds Association
Mule Deer Foundation
National Rifle Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Trappers Association
Orion The Hunters Institute
Pope and Young Club
Professional Outfitters and Guides of America
Quality Deer Management Association
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Ruffed Grouse Society
Safari Club International
Shikar Safari Club
Sportsmens Alliance
Texas Wildlife Association
Whitetails Unlimited
Wild Sheep Foundation
Wildlife Management Institute
Wildlife Mississippi