CONSERVATION CORNER
Lawmakers Urge IRS Investigation of Sportsmen's Tax Breaks
by James L. Cummins

Donations to charitable organizations are under intense scrutiny by federal legislators who believe tax policies are being manipulated. Hunters who contribute game mounts to fish, wildlife and nature museums and natural history displays are finding themselves "in the crosshairs."

Congressman Jim Moran, D-Virginia, of the U.S. House of Representatives, a long time opponent of hunting, and U.S. 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 and governmental agencies 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."

Congressman 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.

Senator 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 Senator 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 Senator Grassley and Congressman 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. Mississippi has several museums dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation and the donation of exhibits was essential to them.

These attacks on hunting are attacks on fish and wildlife conservation.

"Hunting provides an incentive to conserve and manage wildlife to maintain healthy populations and pays for nearly all conservation efforts. Some members of Congress need to be reminded of these facts," added Pidgeon.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.