 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||
June 21, 2005
Volume 3, Number 16
State Caucus Update
Governor Signs Multiple Pro-Sportsmen’s Measures in Texas
Internet Hunting Ban Passes Michigan House & Legislators Head to the Range
New York Assembly Passes Legislation to Further Open Deer and Bear Hunting
Sunday Hunting Could Mean $629 Million for Pennsylvania; Caucus Meets for Day of Shooting
Events
Louisiana Caucus Members Gather to Celebrate Sportsmen’s Rights
NASC News
NASC Executive Council to Meet and Discuss Progress of the First Six Months
Governor Signs Multiple Pro-Sportsmen’s Measures in Texas
Texas , which made headlines late last year over the proposed concept of internet hunting at a ranch near San Antonio, had a busy season for pro-sportsmen’s legislation. The Texas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus tackled several bills, including some that may not have been as high-profile as a ban on remote hunting, but were equally important. Currently the white-winged dove stamp, the waterfowl stamp, and the turkey stamp are three required game bird stamps which must be purchased from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in order to hunt the respective species. Senate Bill 1192, introduced by Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls), reorganizes the game bird stamps, replacing the existing three stamps with two: the migratory game bird stamp and the upland game bird stamp. The white-winged dove stamp and the waterfowl stamp, currently $7 each, will be combined into a migratory bird stamp of the same price that covers all migratory game birds. The $5 turkey stamp will be eliminated in favor of a $7 upland game bird stamp that covers all resident game birds, including turkey, quail, and pheasants. “This new arrangement of game bird stamps will provide needed funding for Parks and Wildlife to conduct conservation projects not covered by the previous stamp system. The new stamps will also bring funds for the Department to improve efforts to monitor and maintain game species, leading to greater hunting opportunities for Texas sportsmen,” stated Senator Estes. The legislation was signed by the Governor Rick Perry on Friday. For more information on accomplishments in Texas, including internet hunting regulation, visit: http://www.statesportsmenslink.org/news/index.tpl?ID=45.
Internet Hunting Ban Passes Michigan House & Legislators Head to the Range
On June 15, the House members of the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus helped to pass a ban on internet hunting websites in the state. The bill now heads to the Senate where Senator Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau), Senate Co-Chair of the Caucus and member of the NASC Executive Council, had already introduced a version of the legislation that recently passed the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs and is now headed to the Senate floor.
Showing strong support for the outdoor activities of Michigan’s sportsmen, members of the Caucus attended their third annual dinner and shoot in Lansing last week. Members and supporters of the Caucus had the opportunity to take their best shots on the trap and skeet ranges, as well as take part in bow instruction offered by the Northwest Wild Turkey Federation. Senator McManus noted, “We had a great event. Despite the weather, we had strong turnout and even had a couple people who had never shot before try it for the first time. I’m looking forward to being involved in next year’s event and seeing it become even larger.” Events such as these are often cited by leaders as a successful way to foster a greater understanding between sportsmen and legislators working for them in their state capitols.
New York Assembly Passes Legislation to Further Open Deer and Bear Hunting
The New York Assembly recently passed legislation specifically for deer and bear hunters across the state. Senate Bill 918, introduced by Caucus Co-Chairman Senator Dale Volker (R-Depew), will allow hunters to use a rifle for the hunting of deer and bear in 12 counties in the southern and mid-section of the state. Senator Volker noted, "By allowing rifle hunting for deer and bear in this region of our state, we can humanely lower the deer population as they often die of starvation. It will also prevent human deaths from automobile accidents that have been rising from vehicles hitting deer on our highways, and should also result in a reduction in the spread of Lyme disease."
Sunday Hunting Could Mean $629 Million for Pennsylvania; Caucus Meets for Day of Shooting
According to a study released late last week, allowing hunting on Sundays in Pennsylvania could mean hunters spend an average of almost five more days per year in the field and could result in an additional economic boost of up to $629 million. The report from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee cited a potential of 5,300 new full- and part-time jobs that could be supported by the additional revenue generated by hunters taking to the field more often. With the 130-year-old Sunday hunting ban in place, Pennsylvania’s 1 million hunters and 1.3 million anglers currently spend $2 billion annually and support nearly 34,000 jobs. The study was called for last year in a House resolution to help determine the overall impact should the ban be overturned. It was conducted by surveys sent to thousand of hunters, guides, and landowners. The results are expected to play a role in the debate over several proposals to end the Sunday ban, including H 904 which has been referred to the Committee on Game and Fisheries.
Also in Pennsylvania, Senator Rich Kasunic (D-Dunbar Township) and Representative Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam Township), Co-Chairs of the state Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, welcomed approximately 45 members of the legislature and 20 legislative staff members to the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs’ annual evening on the range followed by dinner provided by NASC Founding Partner, UST and CSF sponsor, the National Rifle Association. Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Kathleen McGinty also came out to the event to shoot for the very first time. Organizers are already looking forward to bringing more legislators and new shooters out to the range next year.
Louisiana Caucus Members Gather to Celebrate Sportsmen’s Rights
Fifteen members of the Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus took to the range on June 14, enjoying an evening of shooting trap, skeet and sporting clays at the Hunter’s Run Gun Club in Baton Rouge. The time spent outside of the Capitol included a catfish dinner and an opportunity to focus on the concerns of Louisiana’s 1.3 million sportsmen. Caucus Co-Chair Senator Joe McPherson (D-Woodworth), with assistance from Lipsey’s, Inc., hosted the successful event which allowed several legislators the opportunity to shoot for the very first time.
NASC Executive Council to Meet and Discuss Progress of the First Six Months
As the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses wraps up its first six months, the Executive Council will be meeting next week at International Paper’s Hamilton Lake Conference Center near Lake Pleasant, NY. The purpose of this mid-year meeting of the Executive Council is to discuss the progress and numerous successes of the state caucus program during its short history. Specifically, attendees will discuss how NASC model legislation has led to a unified pro-sportsmen’s agenda that can be seen throughout the 2005 legislative session and how to strengthen NASC’s role and effectiveness. Council members will also set the agenda for the Second Annual Meeting of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses to be held November 13-15 on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|