Richard “Dick” Hamilton, former executive director of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, wasted no time in putting his talents to use for N.C. wildlife after being forced out of the WRC.
Since Oct. 1, he’s been working with the N.C. Wildlife Federation, helping that group form its “Camouflage Coalition.”
“The objective will be to organize all the hunting and fishing groups in North Carolina,” Hamilton said. “The Federation is trying to build groups and individuals into an electronic network that can monitor and send alerts to members about what is going on in Raleigh (state government) as it affects wildlife and fish.”
Hamilton said if the NCWF discovers major proposals that affect wildlife or fisheries, it immediately can send the Camo Coalition contact numbers for decision-makers, such as legislators or Wildlife Commission members.
“If it’s something that’s good (for wildlife or fisheries), we can support it,” he said. “If it’s bad, we can oppose it. We’re building a database so members can hit a button on their computer and send e-mails opposing or supporting proposed legislation or laws.”
Basically, the Camo Coalition will help the state’s sportsmen oversee their well-being and that of N.C.’s wildlife and fisheries.
“(North Carolina) hasn’t had anything like this,” Hamilton said. “It’s worked well at other states. Up ’til now, there hasn’t been a strong presence to do this work, other than me and the Commission. We want to get sportsmen to work together.
“Georgia picked up the ball and ran with it. They had 20,000 members in two years. When they send out an action alert, that’s a lot of people sending e-mails, letters or calling (legislators or wildlife commission members).”
Hamilton said the NCWF would have a group of advisors who decide which issues would generate alerts to members. He expects an average of eight to 12 alerts per year.
He already has talked to N.C. sportsmen organizations such as Quality Deer Management, National Wild Turkey Federation, N.C. Bowhunters Association and Coastal Conservation Association to tell them about the Coalition’s benefits.
“Everybody thinks it’s a good idea,” he said. “We feel like a lot of good can come from it.”
Hamilton said one of his main concerns is funding for the Wildlife Commission. Each year, he said, the WRC has battles with the legislature about financial support because some elected officials don’t understand the WRC receives matching federal money.
“Sometimes you have to remind people about this,” he said. “If (the legislature) were to take or cut some of that money, (the WRC) could lose, in some instances, $10 million in federal aid. Only at the last minute are some of those issues resolved.”
Other examples include attempts by legislators to usurp WRC game-management programs through local legislation. Hamilton convinced a legislator last year to drop a proposal to allow unlimited harvest of whitetails.
We’re glad the N.C. Wildlife Federation opened another door for Dick Hamilton to work once again for wildlife, fisheries and the state’s sportsmen, as he did the past 37 years.
N.C.’s sportsmen, fish and game should be the beneficiaries.
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