legislative block
status of pending laws
u.s. Senate Committee Approves
Top Sportsmen’s Priorities
O
n Jan. 20, the U.S. Senate’s
Environment and Public Works
Committee approved a bill containing
some of the top priorities of the
hunting and fishing community,
including the Sportsmen’s Alliance.
S. 659, the second half of the
Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2016,
includes a key provision sponsored
by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming)
directing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to remove gray wolves from
the Endangered Species List. Despite
greatly exceeding population targets
for delisting, anti-hunting groups
successfully persuaded a federal
judge to keep wolves protected. The
amendment returning wolves to
state management, which has been
advocated for and supported by the
Alliance, passed on a voice vote.
The committee also rejected
an attempt by Sen. Barbara Boxer
(D-California) that would have
stripped language preventing the EPA
from regulating lead in ammunition.
Ammunition for hunting is already
regulated at the state level, and by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where
appropriate. The amendment was
defeated 9-11. Sen. Boxer also tried to
remove language allowing polar bear
trophies that were taken prior to their
listing on the Endangered Species
List from being brought into the
United States. The amendment was
rejected by the same 9-11 margin.
“This moves us one step closer
to passage of the Sportsmen’s Act,”
said Evan Heusinkveld, Sportsmen’s
Alliance interim president and
CEO. “These bills include the most
critical items for the hunting and
conservation community. This is not
a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s a
hunting and conservation issue. We’re
hopeful that the Senate will look past
partisan differences and take up the
full package in the near future.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D- New
Jersey), also threatened to include a ban
on trapping on the 150-million-acre
N.h. Bobcat Hunting Season
Receives Public Hearing
N
ew Hampshire sportsmen could gain an
opportunity already enjoyed by hunters and
trappers in neighboring states if the New Hampshire
Fish and Game Commission approves a new hunting
and trapping season for bobcats.
The state fish and game department held a public
hearing on the bobcat proposal on Feb 1.
The commission’s proposal would allow the issuance
of 50 bobcat permits through a lottery process. It would
be the most conservative management of bobcats in
the region, and demonstrates the department’s cautious
9
SPORTSMEN’S MONTHLY
February | 2016
National Wildlife Refuge System, but
failed to attract support and ultimately
withdrew the amendment.
The Senate will now take up the
entire package. Included is a major
priority of the Sportsmen’s Alliance
known as “Open Until Closed.”
For decades, anti-hunting
organizations have used the courts
to block the opening of public lands
that could, and should be, open to
hunting. Language in the Sportsmen’s
Act would mandate that federal
public lands managed by the Bureau
of Land Management and Forest
Service be open to hunting unless
federal wildlife managers find cause
to close them. The language protects
hunting and increases hunting access
on millions of acres of public land.
Sen. Boxer, a regular opponent of
pro-hunting measures, has committed
publicly to fight the Bipartisan
Sportsmen’s Act on the floor, and is
even seeking to organize a filibuster
in order to stop its passage.
approach to the new season. Maine, Vermont, Quebec
and even Massachusetts allow bobcat hunting, and
none of them use a permit system.
The proposed season comes as the result of a
collaborative study between the state and the University
of New Hampshire, which concluded that a season
could be held without any adverse impact to bobcat
numbers. New Hampshire’s plan still promotes growth
of the bobcat population while allowing a recreational
opportunity for hunters and trappers who will play a
role in managing the species.
Wisconsin Families Afield Bill
approved by senate committee
O
n Jan. 5, the Wisconsin Sporting Heritage, Mining
and Forestry Committee approved legislation that
would allow parents to decide at which age their kids
begin to hunt. The bill also removes a prohibition that
prevented both mentors and newcomers from using a
firearm or bow on a hunt. Senate Bill 301 represents the
latest progress by Families Afield, a national coalition
founded by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National
Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Wild
Turkey Federation. The coalition’s mission, which is
also supported by the National Rifle Association and
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, is to lower the
barriers that prevent newcomers from trying hunting.
Wisconsin originally became a Families Afield
state in 2009 by establishing a mentored hunting
program that allowed an experienced mentor to take
a newcomer hunting prior to the completion of hunter
education. Previously, young people could not begin
hunting until age 12, and were required to complete
hunter education to be eligible.
However, the legislature left two significant
restrictions in place that need to be addressed. While
mentored hunting is permissible, the state requires that
participants must be at least 10 years of age. Only seven
Families Afield states have an age restriction this high,
while 34 allow parents to make the decision about when
their kids begin to hunt. Second, Wisconsin is one of only
four Families Afield states that prohibit both the mentor
and the apprentice to possess a firearm or bow. The rest
allow the mentor to make that decision. Both of these
restrictions are a disincentive to hunting participation.
Research continues to prove year after year that mentored
hunters are the safest hunters in the woods.
Senate Bill 301, sponsored by Terry Moulton,
R-Chippewa Falls, would remove both the 10-year-old
restriction and the one-gun requirement. The changes,
which bring Wisconsin in line with neighboring Michigan
and Minnesota, were approved by the committee by
a vote of 3-2. SB 301 is supported in Wisconsin by
the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin
Bowhunters Association and the Wisconsin Chapters of
Safari Club International.
As a hunter, you are part of
a great tradition that includes being a
safe and responsible firearms owner.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s
“Own It? Respect It. Secure It” campaign is
designed to keep firearm safety top of mind.
Your hunting club, shooting range or business
can help promote this important safety reminder
by using the “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.” tag
on websites, printed materials and in social
media. More than 1,100 industry companies and
organizations like the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
are doing their part to help promote responsible
firearms ownership every day of the year. Join
them to amplify this safety message.
®
®
Find the
“Own It? Respect It. Secure It.”
logo and other firearm safety resources at
nssf.org/safety
February | 2016
SPORTSMEN’S MONTHLY
10