Sportsmen And Ag Groups Find
Common Ground At Summit Meet

KINGSVILLE — Top-level CEO’s and presidents of 19 sportsmen and agricultural groups representing 6.6 million individuals gathered here recently for the first-ever Sportsmen/Agricultural Summit. The summit was used as a launching pad for these two groups to come together and explore partnerships and potential alliances to combat what they view as the biggest threat to their industries — the loss and fragmentation of land to development, condominiums and urban sprawl.

The two-day conference was sponsored by the King Ranch, Buick Motor Division and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and was conducted on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

In his opening remarks, keynote speaker Kika de la Garza, congressman for 30 years and chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for 14 of those years, told participants that it only makes sense for sportsmen and agriculture to work together.

"These groups have so much in common, not the least of which is their deep love and respect for the land and its animals," de la Garza said.

The summit format involved a series of focus group discussions which first brought concerns and issues to the surface. Not surprisingly, participants, sportsmen and agriculturists alike, found that they had many of the same concerns. The groups then searched out ways to work together to address the concerns, to resolve disputes and build partnerships and trusts.

Issues voiced by agricultural interests representing corn, soybeans, cattle, sheep, swine, cotton, forest products and the Farm Bureau included access, liability, sportsmen ethics and trespassing.

Water quality, non-point source pollution, farming practices and intensive livestock management were issues mentioned by such groups as the Izaak Walton League, Quail Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, North American Wild Sheep, American Sport Fishing Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, BASS, Safari Club International, Trout Unlimited and the Boone and Crockett Club.

Other areas of mutual interest were legislative actions which drive private landowners and sportsmen from the land, including unreasonable government policies, and inheritance taxes which cause prime habitats and lands to be sold and subdivided. Another issue was referendum and ballot initiatives that insert emotion and subjective values into the debate and bypass the legislative process and/or usurp the power of state agencies.

Participants also had the opportunity to see how a South Texas ranch integrates wildlife, ranching and farming enterprises and activities every day of the week.

"This is a conference whose time was long overdue," said Stephen "Tio" Kleberg, vice president of King Ranch agricultural operations. "It only makes sense for these two groups to work closely together on the many fronts that impact interests of both sportsmen and agriculture. It’s a natural partnership."

In a joint statement the summit participants agreed to the following list of principles:

"The proper scientific management and use of renewable natural resources is required to sustain human existence and enhance quality of life. Renewable natural resources are many things — animals and fish, both wild and domestic; crops and natural fibers; and indigenous vegetation. These resources rely on scientifically-based management if we are ever to enhance land, water and air."