Animal Extremists Mount Legal Offensive Against Sportsmen

by
posted on February 21, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
SA And HLF

Animal extremist groups have recently announced their decisions to hire additional attorneys to challenge predicted federal government regulations and actions regarding energy, the environment and endangered species. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and Earthjustice are hiring six and eight additional attorneys.

“While the specifics of their lawsuits are still unclear, one thing is certain: these animal extremists are committed to dismantling sportsmen’s rights in our country, and they have the funding to pursue as much,” said Dr. Todd Adkins, senior vice president at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Years and years of sue-and-settle schemes have lined the coffers of ideologues, and they have no shame in utilizing those funds to pursue silly, superfluous lawsuits without legal or scientific backing.”

The new presidential administration has brought a wave of new administrative actions —many of which have created anxiety and ideological roadblocks for animal extremists. But these organizations are no strangers to suing the federal government. CBD sued the previous Trump administration more than 280 times, while Earthjustice took the administration to court over 200 times. These numbers are staggering—especially when you consider the lunacy of many of their arguments—but not surprising.

CBD has over 70 in-house attorneys, and Earthjustice employs at least 200. For scale of reference, prominent hunters' right group Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation's Office of Litigation Counsel employs just five.

“We’ve been litigating against CBD, Earthjustice and other animal extremists for years, and their tactics have changed very little,” said Michael Jean, litigation counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “But they’re willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money to pursue their ideologies. Fortunately, we’ve been very effective and efficient at defending against these attacks.”

For more updates on the continual fight against those who seek to take away the rights of hunters, head on over to NRA's Hunter's Leadership Forum, visit the Sportsmen's Alliance, or of course, check back with us right here at americanhunter.org.

Latest

LEDE Tftbourbon 1
LEDE Tftbourbon 1

Bourbon Enthusiasts can Support Turkey Conservation

Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon, founded in 2018 by Russ Smith—a former professional basketball player—and Cecy Linzey, has entered into a partnership with Turkeys For Tomorrow (TFT) and is offering bourbon branded with the organization’s label.

Federal to Release More than 20 Centerfire and 25 Shotshell Options in 2026

Federal Ammunition has announced more than 20 new centerfire rifle ammunition options for 2026, and more than 25 new shotshell offerings.

Hunting Humor: Days Afield with Ike and Mike

The names have been changed in these mostly true stories that are in no way about anyone the reader might know.

Boone and Crockett Club has First Female President in 138 Years

Mary L. Webster was elected president of the Boone and Crockett Club during the organization’s 137th annual meeting in Phoenix, Ariz., late last year. She is the first woman to serve in this position since the Club’s inception in 1887.

New for 2026: Weatherby .25 RPM

For 2026, Weatherby has extended its cartridge line with the addition of the .25 Rebated Precision Magnum, the third in the series.

Waterfowl Hunting on a Shoestring Budget

Want to get into waterfowl hunting, but on a tight budget? Try these tips to get into the action this year and have something to show for your efforts!

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.