John McCain on Hunting, Conservation & the Environment

I am proud of my environmental record. I believe that somewhere along the line we (Republican Party) lost the Teddy Roosevelt commitment to the great outdoors, but at the same time I think the environmental movement was hijacked by extreme environmentalists. Teddy Roosevelt would never agree with Sierra Club on a broad variety of issues, that’s just a fact. I think we Republications let them become the voice of the quote “environmental movement” when we were clearly the leaders. We would never have the National Park Service we have today if it hadn’t been for Teddy Roosevelt. We Republicans are the environmental movement, and I believe we are now starting back towards the position we earned over generations.



One of my top priorities is to increase multiple-use of federal lands for hunting, fishing, camping, etc. It has to be done responsibly. We all know that 99% of the people who enjoy the outdoors take care of it better than anybody else.

Can sound wildlife management, hunting and drilling for oil/natural gas on federal lands co-exist? I believe that with modern technology it can. I wouldn’t want to drill in the Everglades or the Grand Canyon. There are certain areas that have to be protected and kept pristine. But that’s not a huge area of the country. There are BLM and federal lands that with the right kind of environmental regulations and restrictions we could have oil and natural gas exploration.

We digressed a bit, and Iraq came up: “I don’t care what is reported, I don’t care what the opponents of the war say, we are winning and we are winning in a more successful fashion than frankly even I predicted,” Senator McCain said.

On increasing timber harvest on federal lands (which improves habitat for deer and other wildlife): We can do it, but it’s an enormous struggle with the radical environmental groups. We’ve spent untold millions of taxpayers’ dollars on lawsuits with radical organizations. I am not condemning every environmental organization, there are some that are very much in our way of thinking. But there are extreme environmental organizations and I’ll label them as that and I’ll take them on anytime.

On the loss of millions of acres of CRP land (vital wildlife habitat) as more and more corn is planted: Ethanol subsidies that have distorted the marketplace are the root of the problem. We can’t erode the gains we’ve made in conservation programs. (Note: Sen. McCain has said he supports creating a market environment to encourage production of ethanol and other alternative fuels to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil, but not government subsidies.)

On “no-net-loss” legislation to set aside equal lands for development and recreation, including hunting: I would support it, but not by federal mandate. It’s a state and local decision. In Western states with a lot of public land, I’ve been involved in land exchanges. You take certain areas that can be developed in exchange for putting lands in status so they will forever be undeveloped for hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. We’ve done a pretty good job and we can get more robust (with these type programs).

On his nominees for Interior Secretary and head of Fish and Wildlife Service: Absolutely important to have pro-hunting people in these positions.

Off-loading the bus I asked the Senator the big question: Why should deer hunters vote for John McCain? “Look at my record on gun rights,” he said. “I’m big for multiple-use of our public lands, including for hunting. Look at the record of my opponent and the choice is clear.”

I like this sentence from McCain the best out of the whole interview.

We all know that 99% of the people who enjoy the outdoors take care of it better than anybody else.