ON CAPITOL HILL:
Update: Bureau of Land Management Rescinds Proposed Shooting Ban at Sonoran Desert National Monument
On April 10th, CSF President Jeff Crane joined some of his fellow members (Sportsmen's Voice April 4, 2012) of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC) on a site visit to the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM) in Arizona. The attending WHHCC members experienced the monument firsthand and discussed whether the total exclusion of recreational shooting included in the proposed draft management plan for the monument was necessary.
WHHCC noted in a letter to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) director Bob Abbey the closures of BLM, Forest Service and county lands have limited recreational opportunities. The letter also addressed several of the concerns the BLM cited as reasons to close the monument to recreational shooting.
In response to the WHHCC's concerns, the BLM on a May 11 teleconference with the WHHCC withdrew the proposed ban which, according to the National Rifle Association, included 63 shooting sites located on the half-million acre national monument - a certain success for sportsmen. The CSF will continue to monitor the BLM recreational shooting policy on the SDNM and other BLM lands.
BOARD UPDATE:
Outdoor Caucus Association of Canada Holds First Successful Shoot-Out
Phil Morlock, board member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and chair of the Outdoor Caucus Association of Canada, attended the first annual Outdoor Caucus Association Shoot-Out held on May 10 at the Stittsville Shooting Range near Ottawa. Members of Parliament (MP) from across Canada joined members of the outdoor community to enjoy a safe and popular recreational activity.
Annually, millions of Canadians participate in recreational shooting and hunting; these activities annually contribute $6 billion to Canada's economy. The event provided MPs the opportunity to try a variety of rifle calibers and target distances and to break clay pigeons on the trap field. All participants were able to learn about and experience this recreational activity.
IN THE STATES:
Governor Branstad Issues Executive Order to Help Hunters
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a member of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, recently issued Executive Order 77 that permanently rescinded a ban on traditional ammunition during dove season. The ban on lead shot would have become permanent after the legislature allowed the 2012 session to expire without fully passing a resolution to address the issue. Governor Branstad's action ensured that natural resource management in Iowa would be based on sound science and therefore will safeguarde the use of traditional ammunition for Iowa dove hunters. For more information, contact CSF Midwestern States Manager Chris Horton at chris@sportsmenslink.org
California Hunters Facing Legislation to Ban Hound Hunting
2012 has thus far been an interesting year for sportsmen in the California State Legislature. In February, California Fish and Game Commissioner Dan Richards appeared in a photo on the cover of Western Outdoor News proudly displaying a mountain lion he had legally harvested during a hunt in Idaho. Citing Proposition 117, a voter-approved ballot initiative that banned mountain lion hunting in California more than twenty years ago, 40 members of the state Assembly penned a letter calling on Richards to resign his post on the Fish and Game Commission. Fortunately, California hunters and anglers rallied to defend Richards, and state lawmakers eventually abandoned their misguided arguments and withdrew their motion to remove the commissioner.
Now, California sportsmen and women are facing another threat in the form of Senate Bill 1221, a proposal that would prohibit the use of dogs to hunt bears and bobcats. The bill uses arguments to justify wildlife management based on emotion rather than science-based evidence. Throughout the legislative process, California hunters, particularly those who hunt waterfowl and upland game with their canine companions, have expressed legitimate fears this effort represents the first step in banning hunting with dogs altogether.
The NASC Executive Council (EC), an elected advisory group composed of sportsman-legislators from throughout the country, wrote a letter to express their opposition to SB 1211. If you are a California sportsman or woman, please consider joining the NASC EC by calling on your elected representatives to oppose SB 1221 or any other effort which seeks to politicize wildlife management at the behest of anti-hunting organizations.
For more information, please contact CSF Western States Manager Andy Treharne, at andy@sportsmenslink.org.
CSF EVENTS:
Save the Date for the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses' 9th Annual Sportsman - Legislator Summit
The National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) will be holding its 9th Annual Sportsman - Legislator Summit in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from November 27 to November 30, 2012. The NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit is the largest gathering of pro-sportsmen legislators that occurs each year. This event provides the bipartisan group of sportsmen-legislators - representing states across the nation - with the opportunity to interact with state and federal natural resource agencies, allied non-governmental conservation organizations and industries concerned with the future of our nation's outdoor heritage. The meeting is also an opportunity for legislators to gather together to discuss issues impacting the hunting, fishing and conservation communities and to share information relevant to America's hunters, anglers and shooters.
The NASC Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit further educates and informs those involved in the policy process and helps to shape the legislative agenda and issues legislators take on for the upcoming legislative year. We encourage you to continue your involvement in the sportsmen's community by attending this year's Summit. For more information, please download a copy of the save the date notice.
For more information contact Jennifer Lundy at jennifer@sportsmenslink.org
Congressional Shoot-Out Another Success; Team Republican wins "Top Gun" Title
A record turnout of Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) members - both Democrats and Republicans - put partisanship aside to enjoy a friendly competition shooting rounds of trap, skeet and sporting clays at the Congressional Shoot-Out. This year, the Republican team of shooters outshot their Democrat counterparts on Tuesday, May 15, at the Shoot-Out held at the Prince George's County Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland.
Current CSC co-chair and team captain Rep. Jeff Miller (FL) joined by his co-captains, and CSC vice-chair Rep. Bob Latta (OH) accepted the trophy on behalf of team Republican. Team Democrat was lead by current CSC co-chair Rep. Mike Ross (AR). Also in attendance were members of the sportsmen's community who participated in the competition. On Monday, May 14, the CSF also hosted the annual Industry Challenge at Prince George's County Trap and Skeet Center, which coincides every year with the Congressional Shoot-Out.
Southeastern Region - Fishing Tournament and Raffle to Benefit the CSF Deemed Huge Success
The results are in and the Second Annual Central Florida Shootout held earlier this month was a huge success. The tournament offered over 1,000 attendees the opportunity to fish while supporting the CSF as an organization representing recreational anglers in the Capitol and in state capitols across the country.
In addition to providing children with the opportunity to fish for free, participants shared in the excitement as rods and reels were handed out to all children in attendance. Over 50 kids were introduced to fishing, an important step in ensuring the continuance of this time-honored American tradition.
The charity tournament benefiting the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation was coordinated by Strike-Zone Fishing Melbourne, sponsors volunteers and the Southeastern Region of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.
For more information and to learn about donations or sponsorships for next year's tournament email CSF Southeast States Director Jennifer Lundy jennifer@sportsmenslink.org or visit: www.centralfloridashootout.com.
