The Sportsmen's Advocate Summer 2023 | Page 20

WHO WE LIKE AND WHO WE FIGHT IN THE BATTLE FOR THE SPORTSMAN ’ S LIFESTYLE .
The FRONT LINE

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In a state increasingly influenced by California , Nevada Gov . Lombardo backed sportsmen in the 2023 session . By signing an amended version of Senate Bill 269 , Gov . Lombardo ensured that dog trainers and hunters could continue to use tethers . The original bill created serious issues for anyone who tethered a dog , but upon hearing from Sportsmen ’ s Alliance members , the bill ’ s sponsor amended the language to exempt hunters and trainers , which was then signed by the governor , despite intense pressure from animal extremists to veto the bill . Likewise , Gov . Lombardo vetoed Assembly Bill 355 that would have prohibited those under age 21 from handling or possessing any semi-automatic rifle or shotgun . With hunter recruitment and retention efforts already hindered by excessive gun control in many states , limiting access for 18- to 20-year-olds , when evidence shows this is often the very age when many hunters leave the field , is a policy clearly designed to crater hunter numbers over time . AB 355 had nothing to do with public safety , and we thank Gov . Lombardo for standing up for sportsmen with this critical veto .

Villains

WHO WE LIKE AND WHO WE FIGHT IN THE BATTLE FOR THE SPORTSMAN ’ S LIFESTYLE .

HERO : JOE LOMBARDO
Nevada Governor
VILLAIN : PETE FISCHER
Minnesota State Representative
When bills to forever ban wolf hunting in Minnesota went nowhere , Rep . Fischer resorted to underhanded tactics in the House of Representatives to accomplish the task . Fischer introduced the hunt ban as an amendment to a massive environmental spending bill , House File 2310 . By doing so , the proposed ban bypassed any discussion or votes in committees , and Rep . Fischer knew it was highly unlikely that anyone would hold up the immense budgeting bill over the issue . Luckily , the spending bill didn ’ t include the ban when it passed the senate , so HF 2310 went to conference where differences could be worked out . With a major push from hunting organizations all over the state , the ban failed to be included in the final compromise . In this case , Fischer lost his extreme gambit , but everyone who supports effective wildlife management clearly won . With an estimated 2,700 wolves in Minnesota , more than twice the management objective , the bill would have permanently prohibited any wolf hunting once delisted from the federal Endangered Species Act , even if fully supported by the state Department of Natural Resources .
GOV . NV . GOV ( TOP ); HOUSE . MN . GOV ( BOTTOM )
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