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June 14, 2005
Volume 3, Number 15
State Caucus Update
Nebraska Wraps Up First Session with Sportsmen’s Wins, More Expected for Second Session
Connecticut Sportsmen Make Progress in 2005, Begin Preparation for Next Session
Events
California Caucus Takes Aim at Sportsmen’s Issues and Clay Pigeons
NASC News
NSSF Hunting Heritage Partnership Program Gives States $400,000 to Expand Hunting Opportunities
Nebraska Wraps Up First Session with Sportsmen’s Wins, More Expected for Second Session
The Nebraska Legislature concluded its first session of the 99th Legislature earlier this month. In the short time the legislature was in session during 2005, the Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus was successful in passing Legislative Bill 121, authorizing the sale of discounted hunting and fishing licenses to veterans and active duty military men and women. In addition, the Caucus worked to pass Legislative Bill 162 which creates lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, or combined licenses for non-native Nebraskans. The bill also included the new Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp, which is required for all hunters in possession of waterfowl, as well as an increase in the daily park permit fee of $1 for 2007. Both measures were signed by Governor Dave Heineman.
Perhaps of most interest to state sportsmen is Legislative Resolution 8, introduced by Caucus Co-Chairman Senator Ed Schrock (I – Elm Creek), a constitutional amendment that will preserve the right of Nebraskans to hunt, fish, and trap. When animal rights organizations such as PETA and the Humane Society of the United States target the Cornhusker State with their $125 million combined annual budgets and staff of more than 400, Nebraskans can rest assured that their outdoor heritage will be protected in the state constitution. The resolution passed three rounds of debate, and will return to the agenda when the Legislature reconvenes in January 2006. During debate, the resolution survived an attempt to kill the bill through filibuster, but due to the support and swift action on the part of the Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, it garnered enough support to close the debate and bring the bill to a vote next session.
Connecticut Sportsmen Make Progress in 2005, Begin Preparation for Next Session
Members of the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus urged support for several pro-sportsman bills and worked to defeat many that would restrict the activities of men and women enjoying a day out in the field. The Caucus worked to pass a package of Department of Environmental Protection regulations in April that extends the fall turkey hunting season, allows for trapping of coyotes, establishes a “Bonus Buck” program that allows sportsmen who check three antlerless deer to obtain an either-sex tag for use in the same season and clarifies the non-toxic shot regulations according to federal standards. The Caucus was also proud to win a fierce battle over a ban on .50 caliber firearms and numerous other restrictions that would apply to the use and possession of traditional hunting rifles and shotguns. These anti-gun proposals included Senate Bill 1029, a ban on private transfers without government permits, and another bill that would mandate universal registration of long guns. For more information on Connecticut’s legislative activities in 2005, visit: www.statesportsmenslink.org/news/index.tpl?ID=44.
California Caucus Takes Aim at Sportsmen’s Issues and Clay Pigeons
The California Waterfowl Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and NASC hosted dinner and rounds of trap at the Sacramento Trap Club on Wednesday, June 8, allowing members and friends of the California Outdoor Sporting Caucus to get outside and enjoy the same pastime as millions of sportsmen across America. Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R – Antelope Valley) was one of several Caucus members to attend, even bringing her daughter out for fun on the range. California legislative top guns – at least on the trap fields – were Caucus Co-Chair and NASC Executive Council Member Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R – El Cajon) and Senator Robert Dutton (R – Rancho Cucamonga). The evening out on the range was the first major event for the Caucus since it formed in August 2004. “Gaining formal approval of the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus is a valuable step towards solidifying support for California’s sportsmen. With our hunting and fishing traditions under constant attack in the state legislature, the caucus will play a key role in preserving our outdoor sporting heritage,” stated Senator Hollingsworth.
NSSF Hunting Heritage Partnership Program Gives States $400,000 to Expand Hunting Opportunities
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a founding partner of NASC and longtime supporter of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, has donated more than $420,000 to 15 state agencies working to expand hunting opportunities through their Hunting Heritage Partnership Program. This year’s recipients included six states with state caucuses working to promote hunting and the sportsmen’s agenda through the legislature: Connecticut, Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The grants are provided to state agencies that demonstrate creative thinking and develop distinctive programs to promote hunting and recruit new hunters.
Connecticut ’s Department of Environmental Protection received more than $11,500 to expand the Junior Pheasant Hunting Day program. $15,000 went to Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help fund a survey and planning efforts for the 2005 Summit on the Future of Hunting in Florida. The development of a new Youth Mentored Hunt Access and Management Program in Nebraska earned the state’s Game and Parks Commission $45,000. Efforts to promote dove hunting by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency resulted in a $42,000 grant. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department received $6,000 for various recruitment efforts, including a program that allows hunters under 18 to defer the long hunter safety course for one year if they hunt with a licensed adult. Virginia’s hunters will benefit from the $36,400 awarded to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries which will create an interactive online mapping program to serve the state’s sportsmen, including a listing of all public hunting lands. For more details on exciting new hunting programs recognized by NSSF, click here.
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