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Key Issues
Public Access to Private LandsAccess is one of the biggest issues facing sportsmen today. Access to quality hunting land is becoming more difficult to find. In an attempt to address this issue, hunter access programs have been created to provide incentives to private landowners to open up their land to hunters. The purpose of these programs is to increase the acreage of and potentially help with the recruitment and retention of hunters. Additional benefits may include providing an economic boost to rural communities, strengthening ties between rural and urban communities, increasing the appreciation and respect for these communities, and technical assistance for wildlife management on private land. Read more...
Angler Access
Recent developments in freshwater access are also cause for concern. Marina owners on public Corp of
Engineer’s managed lakes and rivers have attempted to deny public access to public waters under and
surrounding their facilities. Developments in some states have provided examples where federal agencies or courts
attempting to define public use of state waters where state laws regarding the rights of their public are
unclear. Read more...
Apprentice Hunting Licenses
The apprentice hunting license is a new program in which hunters can participate in the sport before having passed a hunter’s education course. The idea of “try before you buy” is the driving force behind this new
recruitment tool. These laws provide novice hunters, who have yet to pass the education course, the chance to
purchase an apprentice hunting license and hunt under the direct supervision of a licensed hunter. The
apprentice hunter receives hands-on experience and is able to determine if they enjoy the sport before having to
pass the hunter’s education course.
This idea, which is influenced by the Families Afield program, is relatively new but has already been enacted in
several states. Read more...
Archery in Schools and Other Community Archery Programs
Forty states have adopted National Archery in Schools programs in upper elementary, middle and high schools physical education programs. School archery programs are safe, build student self-esteem and introduce kids and families to all shooting sports through archery. The program
is popular with teachers because archery can be done by students of all ages and athletic abilities.
Archery program launches have been successful but continued funding and support and the
creation of community archery programs in each state is necessary to continue this success. Read more...
Ban on Internet Hunting
Internet hunting has become a hot button issue in states across the country after a Texas rancher
set up a remote controlled rifle allowing anyone with an internet connection to sit at their
computer and, with the click of a mouse, fire the rifle at the hunted animal. The idea of internet
hunting violates the fair chase ethic of hunting that many outdoorsmen have stood by for years.
The unethical practice quickly garnered international attention, and legislators in sportsmen’s
caucuses across the country sprung into action to ban the practice and protect the fair chase ethic
of hunting. Beyond violating fair chase, internet hunting garnered negative press for hunting. During the inaugural meeting of NASC in December 2004, legislators agreed to pursue the
prohibition on internet hunting. Read more...
"No Net Loss"
“No Net Loss” of public hunting lands has become increasingly important to ensure access to current and
future generations of hunters. Also referred to as “Hunting Heritage Protection Acts,” these bills create a
base line number of acres of publicly owned lands open to hunting, ensuring that future generations have
the same opportunities as currently exist. Read more...
Range Protection
Firearms shooting ranges have a long tradition of service to a wide variety of citizen groups in local
communities. However, population growth and sprawl have moved new groups of citizens in closer
proximity to existing ranges. In recent years, this has resulted in hundreds of lawsuits and complaints filed by
newcomers against range owners or the passage of local ordinances aimed at closing ranges because of noise,
times of operation and facility expansion to accommodate growing interest and shooting club membership
levels. Forty-six states have adopted legislation hoping to ensure that ranges remain open for operation and that range owners are protected from civil court action, criminal prosecution, or other local board,
commission, committee or similar-type body action, but time has shown the presence of loopholes in these
early attempts. Without adequate range protection laws, safe shooting ranges that offer valuable public
services, facilities at which applicants for permits to carry firearms can receive training and practice, and
recreational opportunities will be vulnerable to arbitrary sanctions, creative lawsuits and closure. Read more...
Voter Registration
Having sportsmen involved in the political process is one of the most important methods in
preserving our outdoor heritage, as well as stopping the anti-sportsmen’s groups that are trying to
take it away. Having sportsmen register to vote at the time they purchase their sportsmen’s
licenses is one way to further their ability to voice themselves in the political process. Read more...
Wildlife Violator's Compact
Despite the tradition and ethics of the vast majority of hunters and anglers, there are those that
disregard the laws that regulate hunting and fishing. With increased sophistication of poachers
and other wildlife violators, the need for coordination between state fish and wildlife agencies is
needed.
To assist in this coordination the Wildlife Violators Compact creates the mechanism allowing
fish and wildlife departments to share information about fish and wildlife violations between the
states. The availability of this information helps stop poachers and other violators from moving
their illegal activity to another state after receiving a violation elsewhere. Read more...
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