Congressman Jim Moran, D-Virginia, a longtime opponent of hunting, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, accuse safari and big game hunters of involvement in a tax scam. Sportsmen who donate skins and mounts to nonprofit organizations receive tax benefits for the contributions.
“The donation of wild animal mounts to a wildlife exhibit for educational purposes is just like a donation of artwork to a museum,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance President Bud Pidgeon. “The contributions are considered charitable under tax code and it should stay that way.”
Rep. Moran is urging the IRS and the House Ways and Means Committee to investigate trophy donations by big game hunters to wildlife museums. He claims that big game hunting outfits are “exploiting a section of the tax code” and calls for reforms to charitable giving.
Sen. Grassley called such donations phony and is demanding congressional action.
“It looks like it’s time for these self-enriching hunters to become the hunted,” said Sen. Grassley. “Big game trophies and other non-cash contributions…are in the Finance Committee’s crosshairs.”
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s leading anti-hunting organization, is supporting Sen. Grassley and Rep. Moran’s efforts.
“There is no reasonable explanation of how having the mounted heads of animals on display serves the public good,” said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of the HSUS.
Pidgeon explained that the two lawmakers and Markarian are ignoring the fact that such animal exhibits benefit visitors who otherwise may never see such creatures.
“Hunting provides an incentive to conserve and manage wildlife to maintain healthy populations worldwide. It pays for nearly all conservation efforts. I would hope Congress has more important things to do than attack hunters,” added Pidgeon.
Copyright © 2005 J & D Outdoor Communications. All rights reserved.