"A controversial federal committee that advises the Trump administration on the benefits of international big game hunting may soon be terminated.

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt told members of the International Wildlife Conservation Council during a member meeting in Washington, D.C., on Thursday that he “hasn’t yet decided” on the pathway forward for the committee, after environmental groups challenged its authority in court last year.

“I know [former Secretary] Ryan Zinke spent a lot of time thinking about your appointment and he absolutely deeply appreciated your willingness to support it,” Bernhardt told the group, which consists primarily of pro-hunting industry representatives and recreational hunters.

“I also doubt he had any thought that he would suddenly find [federal advisory committees] tried in courts on a regular basis," he said. "And we had some experience with that recently.”"

Miranda Green reports for The Hill October 17, 2019. [2]