Rep. Steve Cohen (R-TN) has introduced a bill in Congress, H.R. 2308, also known as the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act, that would make it a federal crime to stage a computer-assisted or internet hunt or most canned hunts.

This bill was introduced during the last Congress as well.

Under H.R. 2308 anyone who "knowingly transfers, transports, or possesses a confined exotic animal, for the purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for the collection of a trophy" in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, could be charged with a misdemeanor.

A 'confined exotic animal' refers to a mammal that is not native to the United States that has been held in captivity `(A) the majority of the animal's life; or `(B) a continuous period of 1 year.

The term `captivity' does not include any period during which an animal lives as it would in the wild--`(A) surviving primarily by foraging for naturally occurring food; `(B) roaming at will over an open area of not less than 1,000 acres; and `(C) having the opportunity to avoid hunters.

The bill would not make canned hunts of native mammals or any birds illegal. 

The bill would also impose a fine and sentence up to 5 years in prison for anyone who "knowingly makes available a computer-assisted remote hunt".  

Go here for more on computer-assisted or internet hunting and laws passed by several states in recent years that have put a stop to this.

Go here for information about canned hunts and the suffering of the captive bred wild animals, surrendered pets, and abandoned zoo and exhibition animals that are slaughtered in confined areas of private hunting clubs or game ranches for the amusement of those who want to pretend they have successfully "hunted" a big game trophy.   

WHAT YOU CAN DO

H.R. 2308 has been assigned to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Go here to find subcommittee members and find their contact information here.  

Go here to find and write your representative.

Write (faxes are best) or call Subcommittee members and your U.S. representative and urge them to vote yes on H.R. 2308 and stop the horrific slaughter often at point blank range of animals who have no chance to run away or avoid the hunter.