Richard Childress, president and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing

Bass Pro Shops

Springfield, MO --(Ammoland.com)- Bass Pro Shops has named Richard Childress, president and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing and Bob Ziehmer, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation as their “2011 Conservation Partners of the Year”.

Both men were presented their awards by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris at the company’s annual Christmas luncheon for associates held at their national headquarters in Springfield, Missouri.

Childress, a former NASCAR driver, heads up Richard Childress Racing, a 12-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. Together with racing legend Dale Earnhardt they established RCR as one of the premier teams in all of motorsports.

Another great passion Childress has is big-game hunting and the conservation and preservation of wildlife habitat in the United States and throughout the world. He currently serves on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

“Richard is a long-time friend and hunting buddy who loves racing and has used his platform in racing to promote many conservation causes. I have had some great times sitting around a campfire with him on hunting trips and during that time discovered the true heart this man has for conservation,” stated Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.

Bob Ziehmer, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation

Morris also felt that Missouri Department of Conservation Director Bob Ziehmer was most deserving of a Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award during this 75th anniversary of the agency.

Ziehmer assumed the role as Director on January 15, 2010 and is the eighth director in those 75 years. He believes that input and involvement are critical to conservation.

“All of us at Bass Pro Shops are proud to honor Bob and the Missouri Department of Conservation for everything they have done for all of us as Missourians to protect our right to hunt and fish as well as for their conservation efforts that help protect the wildlife and their habitat,” continued Morris. “Their work has gained them recognition as the national conservation leader that other states try to model”.

Past winners of the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award include Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association, Rob Keck of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Jeff Trandahl of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and John Hoskins of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

About Bass Pro Shops:
Bass Pro Shops® operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 112 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation, American Rod & Gun® wholesale division sells to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide. Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America. The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division with 28 locations. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (www.trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. The Resort Group (www.bigcedar.com) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

NASGW

Reno, Nevada --(Ammoland.com)- NASGW announced grants to two non profit organizations to support industry efforts in advancing youth sports and congressional support for the industry at the Association’s 2011 Awards Dinner held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.

The awards were part of the organizations Annual Meeting and Expo.

Jack Baumler, NASGW Chairman, and Kent Williams, NASGW Vice Chair presented a $10,000 donation to the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA). Accepting on behalf of YSSA was Steve Miller, Executive Director, and Cyndi Flannigan, President of YSSA. This donation kicks off a major fund raising campaign on behalf of the YSSA’s many grants and programs.

A second grant of $25,000 was awarded to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Accepting on behalf of CSF was the organizations Secretary, Laurie Aronson. CSF promotes, protects and advances the rights of hunters and anglers and provides access and a voice for sportsmen with elected officials, sportsmen, and allied industry groups across the nation.

Also, Russ Thurman, Publisher and Editor of Shooting Industry Magazine presented a check in the amount of $37,000 to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). These funds were raised during the Magazine’s 2011 Shooting Industry Masters, the proceeds of which are specifically designated to support NSSF’s First Shots program. Accepting the check was Steve Sanetti, President and CEO of NSSF.

At NASGW’s request, Mr. Sanetti also explained that NSSF had formed a non-partisan Federal Election Commission-registered Political Action Committee, or PAC. The NSSF PAC supports pro-industry, pro-Second Amendment and pro-sportsmen candidates for federal office.

For more information about the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers and its annual meeting and Expo, contact Maurice Desmarais, President, 630-596-9006. 1833 Centre Point Circle, Suite 123, Naperville, IL 60563 or visit the association’s website at wwww.nasgw.org, email:info@nasgw.org.

AmmoLand Gun News

U.S. SENATE --(Ammoland.com)- On the eve of big-game hunting season in Montana, Senator Jon Tester is pushing to improve voluntary access to land for Montana’s hunters and anglers.

Tester this week introduced an amendment that will restore the Open Fields initiative. Open Fields encourages owners and operators of private lands to voluntarily make their property accessible to the public for hunting or fishing.

Tester, chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, says that the loss of access to private land is the main reason Montana sportsmen and women stop hunting and fishing.

“Montana is world famous for our hunting and fishing, but we’re also known for our good neighbors who value the traditions of access to land and water,” Tester said. “This measure keeps Montanans working together to access some of the state’s best places to hunt, benefiting Montana’s outdoor heritage and our economy.”

Currently, 26 states have voluntary public access initiatives, but funding for Open Fields was removed from a recent Senate appropriations bill.

Tester’s amendment is supported by numerous sportsmen’s organizations, including the National Rifle Association, the Montana Wildlife Federation, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and Ducks Unlimited.

“Diminishing access to hunting land is the primary reason many Americans are forced to give up hunting,” said Christopher Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Reinstatement of the Open Fields program will encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch and forestland to voluntarily make those lands accessible to hunters and sportsmen. This will help increase hunter retention and help preserve America’s hunting heritage.”

“Keeping the dialogue open between Montana’s private landowners and sportsmen and women is vital,” said Gayle Joslin of the Helena Hunters and Anglers. “We appreciate Senator Tester going to bat for Open Fields in order to maintain our conservation legacy and our commitment to accessible lands for our hunters and anglers.”

Open Fields – formally known as the Voluntary Public Lands Access and Habitat Incentive – is run by the U.S. Farm Service Agency along with state and tribal governments. It offers competitive grants to states and tribal governments to expand private land access through easements.

Outdoor recreation represents a $2.5 billion-per-year industry in Montana. Tester recently held a public hearing in Bozeman on the value of public lands where he heard from Montana’s sportsmen and women.

Tester’s amendment is available online HERE.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- Officials looking for cost-effective ways to stimulate the economy should look no further than out their own windows: That’s where the authors of a new economic study demonstrate that the great outdoors and historic preservation generate a conservative estimate of more than $1 trillion in total economic activity and support 9.4 million jobs each year.

“As a former Secretary of the Interior, governor, senator and mayor, I have witnessed firsthand how historic preservation, conservation and outdoor recreation result in tremendous benefits to our nation’s economy,” said Dirk Kempthorne. “This study is a valuable tool for reaffirming and quantifying those benefits.”

“Sportsmen put billions of dollars of their own money annually into conservation through the licenses they buy and the excise taxes that they pay on hunting and fishing equipment,” added Lindsay Thomas, a former U.S. Congressman and current chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

“This combined with the other taxes that are paid through activities associated with outdoor recreation and historic preservation total over $100 billion annually contributed to state and federal coffers.”

Conducted by Southwick Associates, the study is packed with highlights including:

• In 2006, the total contribution from outdoor sports in the United States was nearly $730 billion per year, generating more than 6.4 million U.S. jobs and $99 billion in federal and state tax revenues. This includes hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and other outdoor sports that include hiking, camping, skiing, paddle sports and bicycling.
• In 2006, the combined spending effect of hunting, fishing and wildlife watching associated with National Forest Service land totaled $9.5 billion in annual retail sales, supported 189,400 jobs and provided $1.01 billion in annual federal tax revenues.
• Every million dollars invested in residential historic rehabilitation generates approximately 36 jobs, $1.24 million in income and nearly $200,000 in state and local taxes.
• In 2010, 15 million visitors to Civil War battlefields managed by the National Park Service in just five states (Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia) generated 7,700 jobs.

Commissioned by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the study is being conducted as part of a larger ongoing effort by NFWF to determine the economics associated with natural resource conservation.

The study has commanded the attention of many, including America’s Voice for Conservation, Recreation and Preservation, a coalition of more than 770 organizations representing tens of millions of citizens with diverse political backgrounds who have united in support of conservation, recreation and preservation programs as a means to create jobs and improve the economy.

“Natural resource conservation and historic preservation programs provide hundreds of thousands of jobs and strong returns on public investments that primarily help rural communities and cannot be exported abroad,” said John L. Nau III, chairman emeritus of the Civil War Trust and co-chair of the AVCRP. “This country needs jobs that leverage private investment and conserve our precious natural resources and historic spaces.”

“The jobs that our public lands and cultural heritage create are jaw-dropping,” said William H. Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society and the AVCRP’s other co-chair. “This study is yet more evidence that investing in the environment is good for the fiscal health of our country.”

Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms industry — is urging all sportsmen to support H.R. 2834, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act.

The bill, which is currently being considered in the House Natural Resources Committee, has strong bi-partisan support.

This important legislation would re-establish hunting, fishing and recreational shooting as important traditional activities that have a key place on the public lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

The NSSF is deeply concerned that failure to specifically provide for continued fishing, hunting, and recreational shooting on these lands will lead to reduced opportunities and diminished support for conservation.

By requiring federal land managers to support and facilitate use and access for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act would establish an appropriate “open until closed” management regime for these activities which would allow more Americans to utilize the public lands that they own.

Please take a few minutes to contact your representative in Washington, D.C., and urge him or her to support of this pro-hunting, pro-conservation and pro-industry bill.

• The Capitol Hill Switchboard is 202-224-3121
• Visit NSSF’s Government Relations site at nssf.org/GovRel.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- H.R. 2834, legislation “to recognize the heritage of recreational fishing, hunting, and recreational shooting on Federal public lands and ensure continued opportunities for these activities,” was introduced Friday by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Rep. Ban Benishek and co-sponsored by former CSC Co-Chairs Rep. Dan Boren and Rep. Don Young and CSC Member Rep. Mike Kelly.

The “Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act” would direct the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to utilize the “multi-use” mandates in their agencies’ respective land management plans to promote sportsmen and sportswomen’s access to national forests and public lands, enhancing the ability of Federal land managers to provide, promote, and plan for recreational uses that balance the needs and interests of all outdoor enthusiasts.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus has been working alongside us and many of our partners in introducing this legislation to allow Federal public land planners to evaluate the effects that management initiatives have on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting, and provide a clear analysis of how proposed actions would affect sportsmen’s access to Federal public lands,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane.

The legislation requires Federal land managers to support and facilitate use and access for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting and affirms an “open until closed” management policy for these activities on Federal public lands managed by the USFS and the BLM. H.R. 2834 also maintains state authority in managing fish and wildlife on Federal lands.

“Nearly 50 million men, women, and youth hunt and fish. Almost half of all hunters use Federal lands, and in certain states the Federal government owns the only open land available. Millions more engage in target shooting at ranges and informal sites on our public lands. We must protect and enhance sportsmen’s access to Federal lands and opportunities to participate in these activities,” said Rep. Boren.

BLM and USFS lands designated as wilderness, wilderness eligible, or suitable and primitive or semi-primitive areas under provisions of the bill are considered “open” to all legal forms of hunting, fishing and recreational shooting unless there are good reasons to close such areas and the bill requires a transparent public process for any closure or restriction. BLM and USFS would be required to report to Congress on the closure or significant restrictions of 640 or more cumulative acres of land for use in or access to hunting or fishing and related activities.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Des Moines, Iowa –-(Ammoland.com)- Sportsmen won the first round yesterday in a fight to stop the Iowa Natural Resource Commission (NRC) from imposing a traditional ammunition ban during the state’s recently created dove hunting season.

The Iowa General Assembly Administrative Rules Review Committee met yesterday to review the NRC attempt to include a traditional ammunition ban in the final dove rule for Iowa’s dove hunting season.

The Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, led by Caucus Chairs, Sen. Dick Dearden and Rep. Rich Arnold, recently passed and Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Governor Terry Brandstad signed into law, legislation allowing dove hunting in Iowa.

In a bipartisan vote of 9-1, legislators rejected the NRC attempt to impose a lead ammunition ban and allow the legislature to act during the next legislative session to remove the ban from the final dove rule, and now Iowa’s first dove season in nearly a century will proceed and will not include a traditional ammunition ban.

“The Administrative Rules Review Committee clearly demonstrated that an appointed commission cannot circumvent the intent of the legislature, especially when the commission fails to provide the biological justification to do so,” said Chris Horton, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Midwestern States Director. “An undue burden on Iowa’s sportsmen and women was lifted and we applaud the committee’s decision.”

During a NRC meeting last month intended to set bag limits and the length of Iowa’s first dove season, commissioners passed a ban on the use of traditional ammunition while hunting doves. The same ban was overwhelmingly defeated in the Iowa legislature earlier in the year during deliberations on the new dove season and the commission attempted to usurp the Iowa legislature by imposing the rule.

A coalition of sportsmen’s groups, including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), Dallas Safari Club, Iowa B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Iowa Firearms Coalition, Iowa Sportsmen’s Federation, Mule Deer Foundation, Nation Rifle Association (NRA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Safari Club International (SCI), and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, urged the Administrative Rules Review Committee to defeat the attempt by the NRC to institute a lead based ammunition ban that would created an unjustifiable hurdle for Iowans to participate in the dove hunt.

In a letter (HERE) dated August 3, 2011, the coalition stated that, “In the absence of scientific justification, the question of whether to allow traditional shot to be used during the dove season becomes purely a social and economic decision better suited for elected officials and not an appointed commission.”

According to a state natural resources staff study, the economic impact of this law allowing dove hunting will attract approximately 20,000 dove hunters and provide $6.9 million to state and local economies.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation August Recess Shoot Draws Hundreds to Shooting

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- More than 120 beginners and experienced sport shooters competed in a friendly competition Monday at the Prince George’s County Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Annual August Recess Shoot.

“We hold this event every year so that we can build interest in the shooting sports within the DC community and keep them informed on the importance of outdoor recreation to the U.S. economy and to our unique traditions,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

The August Recess Shoot brings Congressional staff together with the outdoor recreational community for a fun day out of the office with hands on experience shooting trap, skeet and sporting clays.

The beginning shooters were introduced to the sport with one-on-one lessons in firearm safety and target shooting skills from experienced instructors, while the more experienced shooters took part in the friendly competition to determine the best shot.

The top gun for the 2011 August Recess Shoot-Out was Beau Greenwood. Stephanie Myers won the top female gun competition.

The top Republican staff shooter was Keith Franks and the top Democratic staff shooter was Chase Farmer. Mark Kenny won top skeet, Graham Hill won top trap and Jordan Austin came out on top in sporting clays. The top beginners were Brandon Casey, Helen Dwight and Brian Glacken.

The 2011 Recess Shoot was sponsored by Alpha Natural Resources and Exxon Mobil and supported by Anheuser-Busch, ATK, Carpenter’s District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity, CropLife, Ducks Unlimited, Hearing Industries Association, Ice Miller Strategies, Novartis, and Oracle.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Salt Lake City, UT --(Ammoland.com)- Nine of the nation’s state chief executives gathered at a Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) event in Salt Lake City Friday to highlight policy issues of concern to hunters and anglers around the nation.

GSC Co-Chair, Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi, along with Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane welcomed the sportsman-governors and members of the sportsmen’s community in attendance to a reception sponsored by AGL Resources, Altria, American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI), ATK, Comcast, CropLife America, Daimler, Dallas Safari Club, ExxonMobil, National Rifle Association (NRA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Outdoor Channel, Remington, and Winchester Ammunition.

“As evidenced by the turnout at this event, the sportsmen and women of this country and in the states represented by GSC member governors have a powerful ally watching out for their interests,” said Crane.

“These governors are on the front lines protecting the rights of hunters and anglers by advancing sound fish and wildlife conservation policies in their states.”

Members of the hunting and fishing community, the CSF State Team, and sponsor representatives were joined at the event by: Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut, Gov. Peter Shumlin of Vermont, Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, Gov. Matt Mead of Wyoming, Gov. Terry Branstad of Iowa, Gov. Bev Perdue of North Carolina, Gov. Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, Gov. Barbour and Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska.

Governors Brandstad, Shumlin, Daugaard and Mead officially joined the GSC, which now boasts 22 sportsmen allied Governors from both political parties and diverse geographic regions of the country, representing large outdoor constituencies that include many of America’s nearly 40 million hunters and anglers who contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy, spending more than $76 billion dollars a year on hunting and fishing.

Guided by a bipartisan leadership team of governors lead by Co-Chairs Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer; Vice-Chairs New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, and staffed through the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the GSC along with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, serves as an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials that promote and protect the agenda of America’s hunters and anglers.

Members of the Caucus include: Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Kentucky Gov. Steven Beshear, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Gov. Daugaard, Gov. Shumlin, as well as co-chairs Barbour and Schweitzer and vice-chairs Martinez and Beebe.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A coalition of sportsmen’s groups working toward delisting of recovered gray wolf populations from the Endangered Species Act (ESA), sent a letter to Rep. Mike Simpson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, and committee member Rep. Cynthia Lummis last week, supporting their efforts in advancing Sec. 119 of the 2012 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill, approved yesterday by the House Appropriations Committee, to address the issue of recovered wolf populations in Wyoming and the Great Lakes region.

In the letter (HERE), the coalition, which includes the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), National Rifle Association (NRA), Safari Club International (SCI), Boone and Crockett Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), Wild Sheep Foundation, American Sheep Industry Association, Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Pope and Young Club, states, “We will continue to support any legislative efforts which take us closer to complete delisting of recovered populations, including delisting entire states that include or border core populations in order to allow the state(s) to more easily carry out their professional wildlife management responsibilities.”

“Like the provision dealing with delisted wolves in Montana and Idaho that our coalition supported and was passed into law this spring, this is another step in returning management of this species back to state wildlife managers where it belongs,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“Removing recovered wolf populations from Wyoming and the Great Lakes Region will reduce risks to both people and wildlife in these areas and return balance to these ecosystems, further advancing our goal to delist all recovered gray wolf populations ,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist.

Sec. 119 of the 2012 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill would remove gray wolves delisted under ESA in Wyoming or in any of the states within the range of the Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment from judicial review if the state has entered into an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior to authorize state management.

“This is a states’ rights issue now and it is time for the states to manage wolves as other wildlife,” said David Allen, President and CEO of RMEF. “Science clearly shows that gray wolves have recovered”.

“We are appreciative of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus members who have worked tirelessly to ensure that management of wolves is returned to the states,” said SCI President Kevin Anderson. “We’ve already seen that the delisted area is too small to contain the large and growing wolf population, so we welcome this further progress.”

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Lowell Baier of Boone & Crockett

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), in conjunction with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and Boone & Crockett Club, today briefed members of the CSC on legislation that would prevent abuse of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) by large environmental groups and others who have exploited a loop hole in EAJA, and through round-robin litigation financially supported their organizations and built large internal legal departments to sustain and perpetuate continuing litigation.

The Government Litigation Savings Act, or H.R. 1996, introduced by CSC Rep. Cynthia Lummis and S.1061, introduced by CSC Sen. John Barasso, would reduce taxpayer’s burden to pay for attorney’s fees, and returns EAJA to its original intent by instituting targeted reforms on who is eligible to receive EAJA reimbursements, limiting repeated lawsuits, and reinstating tracking and reporting requirements to make EAJA more transparent.

EAJA was passed in 1980 and gave a blank check to federal agencies and the Department of Justice to reimburse people for their attorney’s fees when they have sued the government, or defended against a wrongful government action. EAJA served its purpose reasonably well throughout the 1980’s, but began a downward spiral in 1995 when all tracking and reporting of these payments stopped.

“Today our goal was to educate CSC members on how EAJA has been hijacked and how this negatively affects the hunting and angling community,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“We are also looking to generate more support in Congress for these bills that would return EAJA to its original intent and keep frivolous environmental lawsuits from tying up fish and wildlife management in court.”

CSC House Co-Chair Rep. Jeff Miller and Vice-Chair Rep. Heath Shuler welcomed attendees while Sen. Barasso, Rep. Lummis along with Lowell Baier, President Emeritus of Boone & Crockett Club spoke on the need to revise the EAJA through H.R. 1996 and S.1061, respectively.

“When the government stopped tracking EAJA payments in 1995, it was a dream come true for radical environmental groups. Lack of oversight has fueled the fire for these groups to grind the work of land management and other federal agencies to a halt — and it does so on the taxpayer’s dime. Americans have unwittingly funded these obstructionist political agendas for far too long at the expense of individuals, small businesses, energy producers, farmers and ranchers who must pay out of their own pocket to defend the federal government against relentless litigation,” Lummis said. “This common sense legislation would help restore integrity to EAJA and return the program to the original intent of Congress.”

“For far too long, special interest groups have funded their anti-multiple use agenda with Americans’ hard earned taxpayer dollars,” said Barrasso. “It’s absolutely absurd that Washington pays outside groups to repeatedly sue our government. It’s time to halt the endless cycle of reckless lawsuits and fix this broken system. Our bill will protect taxpayer dollars and restore accountability and transparency.”

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Today legislation was introduced in Pennsylvania (HB 1760) to end the ban on Sunday hunting in the Keystone State.

The legislation comes on the heels of the Pennsylvania Game Commission passing a resolution yesterday supporting the idea of ending the ban on hunting on Sunday’s.

HB 1760 would lift the ban and shift authority to regulate Sunday hunting from the General Assembly, where it currently resides, to the Game Commission. The commission’s resolution urged the General Assembly to repeal the restriction on Sunday hunting and allow the Game Commission to regulate it. The state law banning Sunday hunting is the only game management decision given to the legislature.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass legislation repealing the ban on Sunday hunting and allowing the Game Commission to work with the many stakeholders to make decisions about hunting on Sunday,” said Rep. Marc Gergely, Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Chair and member of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council.

Currently, 43 other states allow some form of Sunday hunting, and it is a major economic and job driver in those states. In Pennsylvania, The benefits of Sunday hunting, however, would not be limited to the sportsmen’s community, as an economic impact report released by the Sunday Hunting coalition has found that removal of Sunday hunting restrictions would result in an estimated 8,190 new Pennsylvania jobs. The report also notes that these jobs would pay more than $245 million in wages and contribute approximately $765 million in additional economic activity to the state.

“We have been working diligently with our partners on this issue for several years now and have seen some real progress on repealing these outdated blue laws that are driving hunters away from the sport and stifling economic growth,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “Hopefully we are well on our way to relaxing such restrictions in Pennsylvania and other states, and we’ll be looking towards our state caucuses to provide leadership in these efforts.”

Allowing hunters in Pennsylvania to go afield on Sundays is part of larger effort to increase participation in hunting that also involves improving access and opportunity for sportsmen living in the state. Since most hunters take to the field on weekends, removing barriers to Sunday hunting will effectively double the value of each hunter’s license. Recent research completed earlier this year by Brent Miller, CSF Northeastern States Manager, indicates that by allowing Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania, an additional 55,000 hunters would be recruited or retained over the next six years alone.

Members of the Sunday Hunting coalition, including CSF, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, Archery Trade Association, Boone and Crockett Club, Cabela’s, Delta Waterfowl, Mule Deer Foundation, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and the Wildlife Management Institute, are encouraging all sportsmen in Pennsylvania to contact their state legislators and urge them to co-sponsor HB 1760.

Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Conducts Sportsmen’s Roundtable with U.S. Senate

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane and U.S. Senator John Thune, Chairman of the U.S Senate Republican Policy Committee and Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair, conducted a roundtable meeting with sportsmen’s groups and CSC Republican Senators yesterday to discuss issues of importance to the sportsmen’s community.

Leaders of the major hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation organizations and the outdoor industry gathered with Republican Senators in the U.S. Senate Russell Building to discuss a wide range of topics that are top of mind within the sportsmen’s community, including: conservation funding, lead ammunition and fishing tackle, Making Public Lands Public, state management of wolves, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, the 2012 Farm Bill, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Act and national ocean policy.

“Working hand in hand every day like we do with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus on issues of importance to sportsmen, we thought it wise to bring many of these companies and organizations that support and work alongside us together with members of the Caucus to present their views on these important issues directly to the participating Senators,” said Crane.

CSC members interacting with sportsmen’s leaders yesterday included: Sen. Thune, CSC Vice-Chair Sen. Jim Risch, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. John Boozman, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Jerry Moran, Sen. Richard Burr, Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Mike Johanns and Sen. Mike Lee.

“As co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, I was pleased to work with the Caucus to bring together several Republican Senators and the national leadership of nearly all of the major hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations for a roundtable discussion,” said Thune.

“This event provided attendees an opportunity to meet face-to-face with Senators to discuss current and proposed legislation, as well as hunting, fishing, conservation, and outdoor recreation priorities.”

CSF Board Members Steve Sanetti of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bob Model of Boone & Crockett, Tommy Millner of Cabela’s, and Jeff Angers of the Center for Coastal Conservation, along with other representatives of a wide range of sportsmen’s groups were able to voice the importance of these topics to their members and customers who are part of the over 40 million Americans who hunt and fish every year.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

American Knife & Tool Institute

WASHINGTON, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) is pleased to announce its support of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and its programs: the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC).

AKTI’s Board of Regents recently chose to select the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation as the very first “American Knife & Tool Institute Advocacy Partner.” AKTI recognizes the value CSF brings as an organizing force for federal and state legislation providing bi-partisan access to pro-sportsmen legislators.

“The two organizations worked cooperatively in 2009 when U.S. Customs’ action threatened to classify assisted opening knives as illegal switchblades,” noted AKTI Legislative Chairman CJ Buck, Buck Knives, “and we want to continue a mutually beneficial relationship realizing that when legislators step up to defend your outdoor heritage they must also protect the knives that make those outdoor experiences possible.”

Congressional Sportsmen

For over 20 years, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has been the voice of the American sportsmen by protecting our interests and traditions in the halls of government. CSF is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with decades of combined public policy and political experience with unprecedented access to one of the largest, oldest and most effective caucuses in the U.S. Congress – the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. In state capitols throughout the nation, over half of the nation’s chief executives are part of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus and nearly 2,000 state legislators make up the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses.

The American Knife & Tool Institute has been the advocacy voice of the knife industry and all knife users, protecting individuals who rely on knives on a daily basis from restrictive and unreasonable knife laws, since 1998. AKTI is recognized worldwide as a respected, credible and accurate source of knife legislation information, legislative input, and industry information. We have a successful, proven record of accomplishments in making effective changes to restrictive knife laws and promoting reasonable and responsible laws and enforcement.

AKTI’s support of the CSF will help ensure that we can continue to safeguard the outdoor heritage that is so important to many Americans, and safeguard the most essential tool to those activities – the knife.

Please visit the AKTI website www.AKTI.org to learn about AKTI services and efforts. Also visit CSF at www.sportsmenslink.org to learn more about their programs and membership.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- H.R. 1997, the Making Public Lands Public Act, introduced in the U.S House of Representatives yesterday and S. 901, introduced earlier this month in the U.S. Senate, could potentially open hundreds of thousands of acres of Federal public land to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities.

The House version, introduced by the leadership of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC): Co-Chair Rep. Jeff Miller, Co-Chair Rep. Mike Ross, and Vice-Chairs Rep. Bob Latta and Rep. Heath Shuler, and the Senate version introduced by Co-Chair Sen. Jon Tester and Vice-Chair Sen. James Risch, would require the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to utilize 1.5% or a minimum of $10 million annually of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers.

“Coupled with bipartisan congressional support and the support of over 40 hunting, fishing, and conservation groups, this bill is a win for all – the sportsman, the land management agencies, and the willing private land owner,” said Rep. Miller. “At no additional cost to the taxpayer, this legislation, which would provide increased land access, will afford the hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and all in the sportsmen community the opportunity to continue to enjoy the great outdoors.”

“The public should be able to enjoy public lands,” said Rep. Ross. “This bill will help ensure the proper balance between conserving our public lands, promoting wildlife management and providing more Americans access to enjoy some of our nation’s most beautiful places. This is a win-win, commonsense piece of legislation.”

“Unlocking public lands is vital to our great American traditions of hunting and fishing; that’s why this legislation is an important step in improving and opening access to restricted federal lands,” said Rep. Latta.

Last August, similar language passed the U.S. House of Representatives, as an amendment by CSC Member and former Co-Chair, Rep. Ron Kind, overwhelmingly 404-1 as part of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act.

Federal public lands are an important destination for millions American hunters, anglers, trappers, recreational shooters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Nearly half of all hunters, for example, conduct a portion of their hunting activity on these lands. In addition, lack of access is cited as a primary reason that hunters and anglers stop participating in these traditional sports. A 2004 report to the House Appropriations Committee, stimulated by a Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) report, concluded that more than 35 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S Forest Service (USFS) land have inadequate access.

“This legislation would improve sportsmen’s access to hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land annually that is currently blocked or restricted,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane. “The CSC is working diligently alongside the sportsmen’s community to open more public land to hunting and fishing, thereby providing more opportunities for Americans to enjoy the great outdoors.”

CSF, in cooperation with allies in the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a group of over 40 non-governmental organizations representing millions of hunter conservationists, launched the “Making Public Lands Public: Enhancing Hunter & Other Recreational Access to Federal Public Lands” initiative two years ago and subsequently requested that BLM and USFS utilize funds to improve hunter and other recreational access to Federal land and have identified opportunities in its list of funding priorities. Such opportunities have been identified as important projects by the Congress as expressed in the U.S. House Report to the FY 2010 Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

In a letter to Congress in support of the Making Public Lands Public Act earlier this month, the AWCP partners urged members to sign-on and support the legislation. The letter states that “Allowing federal agencies to identify and prioritize smaller parcels on the boundaries of federal lands that provide public access for hunting and other nature-based recreation is common sense policy. Directing a modest portion of LWCF funds to secure those parcels would help the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior maximize the value of their existing federal land holdings.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Team Democrat Defends "Top Guns" Title at Congressional Shoot-Out

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Democratic team of marksmen outdueled their Republican counterparts yesterday at the Congressional Shoot-Out held at the Prince George’s County Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland.

A near record turnout of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) members, both Democrats and Republicans, put partisan bickering aside to enjoy a friendly competition shooting rounds of trap, skeet and sporting clays.

The annual Congressional Shoot is organized by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and presented by Alpha Natural Resources, ATK, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and The Outdoor Channel.

“The CSC does a tremendous job of protecting and advancing our interests and traditions and we thank them for providing a record turn-out of members for this event,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“In addition to the members of Congress who showed their support for sportsmen, the outdoor industry and conservation leaders who care about hunting, fishing, shooting sports and the outdoors also helped make this the most successful shoot-out to date.”

CSC Co-Chair and team captain Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas accepted the trophy on behalf of team Democrat, made up of members of the CSC including: Sen. Joe Manchin, CSC Vice-Chair Rep. Heath Shuler, Rep. Collin Peterson, Rep. Bennie Thompson, former CSC Co-Chair Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. Tim Walz.

The Republican team, lead by CSC Co-Chair, Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida, included: CSC Senate Vice-Chair Sen. Jim Risch, CSC House Vice-Chair Rep. Bob Latta, former CSC Co-Chairs Rep Paul Ryan and Rep. Don Young, Rep. Paul Broun, Rep. Jeff Duncan, Rep. Renee Ellmers, Rep. Steve King, Rep. John Kline, Rep. Billy Long, Rep. Tom Marino, Rep. Steve Pearce, Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. Steve Southerland, Rep. Tim Walberg, Rep. Rob Wittman.

“I was proud to serve as team captain of the Democratic team in this year’s shoot as the Democrats took home the trophy for the third year in a row,” said Ross.

“In all seriousness, this annual event is an important opportunity for Members of Congress from both parties to come together and renew their focus on championing the rights of hunters and anglers and supporting wildlife management and conservation efforts in the U.S. Congress. Our bipartisan comradery ensures that sportsmen and women will always have a unified, proactive voice in their government.”

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus has a long history of putting policy over partisan politics in order to protect this country’s heritage of hunting, fishing, and enjoying the great outdoors,” said Miller. “It was an honor to serve as the Republican team captain for this year’s Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus Annual Shoot-Out. Yesterday’s event was a great opportunity to promote and advance the values, traditions, and rights sportsmen across the country enjoy.”

Rep. Mike Thompson was the Top Gun Member of Congress. The top Democratic shooter was Rep. Peterson and the top Republican shooter was Rep. Kline. The top Skeet shooter was Rep. Duncan, while Rep. Scott won the Trap competition and Rep. Bennie Thompson won the Sporting Clays competition. Rep. Ellmers won the beginner competition.

In the competition among members of the sportsmen’s community in attendance at the Congressional Shoot, Curt Mauldin of Remington won the Top Gun competition. Colin Chapman of Chapman Capitol Consulting was top Skeet shooter, Mark Kenney of Oracle won top Trap shooter, Charlie Conger of Remington won the Sporting Clays competition and Sheila Goffe of the American Kennel Club was the top beginner.

Browse the Entire Photo Album from this years Congressional Shoot-Out at http://tiny.cc/uzd9w

On Monday, CSF also hosted the annual Industry Challenge at Prince George’s County, which coincides every year with the Congressional Shoot-Out. The First Place Team was Team Remington, made up of Tom Ruck, Curt Mauldin, and Charlie Conger. Second place was Team ATK, made up of Jason Vanderbrink, Steve Rodgers, and Ryan Bronson. Third place went to Team Outdoor Channel, which included CSF Board Member Tom Hornish, Scott Robertson, and David Bolls. Scott Robertson defended his crown as industry Top Gun and Curt Mauldin was top Skeet shooter, Jason Vanderbrink won to Trap and Tom Ruck was top Sporting Clays shooter.

Shooters at the 2011 Congressional Shoot-Out

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- On the heels of legislation passed last month with the support of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) as part of the FY 2011 budget agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced this week that it is lifting Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for 5,500 grey wolves in eight states in the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes and has published a proposed rule to remove gray wolves from ESA designation in the Western Great Lakes.

“Like other iconic species such as the whooping crane, the brown pelican, and the bald eagle, the recovery of the gray wolf is another success story of the Endangered Species Act,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “The gray wolf’s biological recovery reflects years of work by scientists, wildlife managers, and our state, tribal, and stakeholder partners to bring wolf populations back to healthy levels.”

The budget rider introduced by CSC member Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho and CSC Senate Co-Chair, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, directed the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the latest (2009) ruling declaring the wolf recovered and to return wolf management to state agencies in Montana and Idaho, as well as portions of Utah, Washington and Oregon.

Gray wolves will remain listed under the ESA in Wyoming, although the USFWS is working closely with that state’s wildlife biologists to develop a management plan that would allow wolves within the state to be removed from ESA protection. The USFWS and state wildlife managers will monitor wolf populations in the Northern Rocky Mountains and gather population data for at least five years under a post-delisting monitoring plan previously approved by the USFWS.

“This is a great first step and we can thank the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for getting all of this moving,” said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.“However, we are still working diligently within the United States Congress to transfer management of wolves to state wildlife managers where this species has met recovery goals.”

The USFWS has published a proposed rule to remove gray wolves from ESA designation in the Western Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, and portions of neighboring states because wolves have recovered in this region as well and no longer require ESA protection.

“Gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes are recovered and no longer warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act,” said USFWS Acting Director Rowan Gould. “Under this proposed rule, which takes into account the latest taxonomic information about the species, we will return management of gray wolves in the Great Lakes to state wildlife professionals. We are confident that wolves will continue to thrive under the approved state management plans.”

The USFWS would revise the range of the gray wolf by removing all or parts of 29 eastern states due to newer taxonomic information indicating that the gray wolf did not historically occur in those states as part of the proposed rule. USFWS is also beginning reviews of gray wolves statue in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest to determine the appropriate entity and listing status in those areas, and also seeking information on a newly-recognized species, the eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), throughout its range in the United States and Canada. The USFWS is seeking public comment as part of this process.

The proposed rule to remove wolves in the Western Great Lakes from the ESA, as well as the final rule reinstating the 2009 final delisting rule for the Northern Rocky Mountain DPS as directed by the 2011 Full-Year Appropriations Act was published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2011. The final rule for wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountain DPS is effective immediately. Sportsmen can view the proposed rule for the Western Great Lakes area HERE.

The sportsmen’s community can submit written comments on the proposed rule for wolves in the Western Great Lakes by visiting the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029]. Sportsmen can also utilize U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. [FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029]; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. Comments must be received on or before July 5, 2011 and the USFWS will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov.

Public hearings for the proposed removal of wolves in the Western Great Lakes and proposed removal of eastern states from the gray wolf listing will be held May 18 in Ashland, Wisconsin, and on June 8 in Augusta, Maine. More information on the hearings will be available at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf/

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Montana’s public lands are some of the best in the world, and they’re where we pass on our outdoor traditions to our kids and grandkids.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Hundreds of thousands of acres of Federal public land could soon be open to hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting as legislation was introduced in the United States Senate today to guarantee funding for improving public access to federal public lands.

The Making Public Lands Public Act, introduced in the U.S Senate today by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Senate Co-Chair Sen. Jon Tester of Montana and Senate Vice Chair Sen. James Risch of Idaho, would require the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to utilize 1.5% or a minimum of $10 million annually of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers.

“Montana’s public lands are some of the best in the world, and they’re where we pass on our outdoor traditions to our kids and grandkids,” said Sen. Tester. “But we’re seeing too much of this land blocked, surrounded by private land with closed gates. Montanans who own land are good neighbors. Most are good partners in our fight for public access, and this bill builds on that partnership.”

“This legislation is an important step in opening access to Federal land that is currently inaccessible or significantly restricted to sportsmen’s activities,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane. “Access to quality habitat is a key to the future of our sportsman’s way of life, and this bill will directly improve access to more public lands so all Americans can enjoy the great outdoor traditions of hunting and fishing.”

Last August, similar language passed the U.S. House of Representatives, as an amendment by CSC Member and former Co-Chair, Rep. Ron Kind, overwhelmingly 404-1 as part of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act.

Federal public lands are an important destination for millions American hunters, anglers, trappers, recreational shooters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Nearly half of all hunters, for example, conduct a portion of their hunting activity on these lands. In addition, lack of access is cited as a primary reason that hunters and anglers stop participating in these traditional sports. A 2004 report to the House Appropriations Committee, stimulated by a Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) report, concluded that more than 35 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S Forest Service (USFS) land have inadequate access.

“America’s public lands are one of its finest resources and all recreational users should have access to them. This action will help ensure that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the same fishing holes and hunting grounds that our parents and grandparents shared with us,” said Sen. Risch.

CSF, in cooperation with allies in the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a group of over 40 non-governmental organizations representing millions of hunter conservationists, launched the “Making Public Lands Public: Enhancing Hunter & Other Recreational Access to Federal Public Lands” initiative two years ago and subsequently requested that BLM and USFS utilize funds to improve hunter and other recreational access to Federal land and have identified opportunities in its list of funding priorities. Such opportunities have been identified as important projects by the Congress as expressed in the U.S. House Report to the FY 2010 Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Sportsmen and women of the Hoosier state have a new and influential ally in the state legislature as the sportsman-legislators of the General Assembly announced the formation of the Indiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.

The Indiana Caucus becomes the 39th state to affiliate with the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) – a program of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

“The CSF State Program and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses have seen tremendous growth over the last few years and we are so proud to add Indiana to the roster as the 39th state caucus,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “Along with the growth of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, our network of State Legislators and Governors are greatly complimenting one another and giving sportsmen unprecedented representation in state government.”

“A sportsmen’s caucus is formed by passionate, like-minded legislators who understand America’s hunting, fishing and trapping heritage and its importance to wildlife management as well as its economic impact,” said Sen. Brent Steele, founder and a co-chair of the new caucus.

“Caucus members set partisan politics aside and maintain a unified front by remaining informed and organized on legislative issues affecting hunters, anglers and trappers every day.”

The inaugural meeting of the Indiana Caucus was held last Tuesday and the caucus will host its first public meeting this summer in conjunction with a day of sporting activities available to Hoosiers. Members of the legislature serving as chairs of the new bipartisan caucus include: Sen. Steele, Sen. Lindel Hume, Rep. Mark Messmer and Rep. Dale Grubb.

Data show that in the state of Indiana, more than 291,000 residents participate in recreational hunting and fishing activities, helping create about 5,085 jobs with an approximate annual economic impact of more than $530 million.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Safari Club International (SCI) and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) are pleased to announce SCI’s continued support of CSF and its programs: the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC).

SCI is a founding supporter of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation with contributions exceeding $850,000 since 1989. SCI continues to recognize the value CSF brings as organizing force for federal and state legislation to provide bi-partisan access to pro-sportsmen legislators to defend our hunting traditions and privileges.

“CSF and SCI have been working together over a 20 year partnership and SCI is excited to continue our commitment for another year,” said SCI President Dr. Larry Rudolph. “Together we can advance our priority legislation and work with members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to preserve our hunting heritage.”

SCI and its members also regularly attend CSF functions, such as the Annual Banquet and Auction in Washington, DC, the Richard Childress “Wine, Wheels and Wildlife,” the Congressional Shoot-Out and NASC Annual Summit.

“There isn’t a more supportive group for our programs, events and legislative priorities than SCI,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “They understand the importance of having the sportsmen’s voice heard by government officials and the value of having a seat at the table with access to elected representatives.”

Safari Club Internationa

Safari Club International and its approximately 190 chapters are contributing time, talent, and financial support to local, national, and international hunter advocacy and conservation projects. SCI has spent nearly $300 million on hunter advocacy and wildlife conservation since inception. Through direct involvement and partnerships with like-minded organizations, SCI has become a political force in Washington, D.C. and other capitals around the world.

For over 20 years, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has been the voice of the American sportsmen by protecting our interests and traditions in the halls of government. CSF is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with decades of combined public policy and political experience with unprecedented access to one of the largest, oldest and most effective caucuses in the U.S. Congress – the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. In state capitols throughout the nation, nearly half of the nation’s chief executives are part of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus and nearly 2,000 state legislators make up the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses.

Please visit the SCI web site www.safariclub.org to learn about SCI programs and services. Also visit CSF at www.sportsmenslink.org.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- As Democrats and Republicans battle in Congress, members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) from both political parties will put partisan bickering aside to unite in the enjoyment of blasting 12 gauge shotguns and learning about issues concerning sportsmen on Tuesday, May 10 at the Prince George’s County Skeet Center in Glen Dale, Maryland.

Members of the CSC spend one day per year away from the halls of Congress at the annual bi-partisan Congressional Shoot-Out to enjoy rounds of trap, skeet and sporting clays. Instead of their usual “yeas” and “nays,” these politicians spend the day yelling, “Pull!” and recognizing the role of the shooting sports in American life.

“The Congressional Shoot Out is the best opportunity sportsmen have to spend the afternoon with members of Congress, federal officials and industry leaders who care about hunting, shooting sports and the outdoors,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“We appreciate all the hard work that members of the Caucus put into protecting our interests and traditions in Congress and this event serves to bring all of us together for a common cause.”

The annual Shoot is organized by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and presented by Alpha Natural Resources, ATK, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and The Outdoor Channel. It pits the Democrats against the Republicans in a friendly skeet, trap and sporting clays shooting competition to determine the top team and top guns in Congress.

At last year’s shoot, the team of Democratic CSC members for the second year in a row won the annual bi-partisan Congressional Shoot-Out by a score of 225-209. The top individual Congressional shooters were: Top Gun, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California; Top Republican Gun, Rep. John Kline of Minnesota; Top Democrat Gun, Rep. Mike Thompson of California; Top Skeet Shooter, Rep. Chris Carney of Pennsylvania; Top Trap Shooter, Rep. Dan Boren of Oklahoma, past Co-Chair of the CSC, and Top Sporting Clay Shooter, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, past Co-Chair of the CSC.

Limited space is still available, so please contact PJ Carleton for additional information or to book your spot: PJ@sportsmenslink.org or 202-543-6850 x-22

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs Senators Jon Tester and John Thune and Representatives Jeff Miller and Mike Ross; along with House Vice-Chairs Representatives Bob Latta and Heath Shuler and 38 CSC co-sponsors, introduced legislation last week to protect lead based ammunition and fishing tackle from a potential ban by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The “Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Protection Act” (S. 838) and (H.R. 1558) would protect the firearms, ammunition and sport fishing tackle industries and the vital conservation programs they fund by clarifying that the components used in manufacturing shells, cartridges, and fishing tackle are exempt from EPA regulation under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA).

“Hunting, shooting and fishing are more than just pastimes in Montana—they’re part of our outdoor heritage,” said Sen. Tester. “They’re Montana values that we pass on to our kids and grandkids. And I’ll fight for those values whenever Washington DC’s rules get in the way of common sense.”

“Most of our fish and wildlife habitat is thanks to the taxes paid by the firearms, ammunition and sport fishing tackle industries through sportsmen, and we must protect this revenue source for continued funding for habitat conservation in this country and I believe this legislation will help strengthen this funding base,” said Rep. Miller.

In November of last year, the EPA denied a petition by a collection of anti-hunting and fishing organizations to ban the production and sale of lead based ammunition and fishing tackle under TSCA. However, these organizations are currently in litigation to force EPA to expand its TSCA authority in order to regulate traditional ammunition and fishing tackle.

A ban of traditional ammunition and fishing tackle would result in considerable reductions to the 11% excise tax on sales of long guns, ammunition and 10% excise tax on sport fishing tackle that these industries pay on their products as a means of funding fish and wildlife habitat conservation throughout the country.

“Hunting and fishing are not only great traditions in South Dakota, but these outdoor activities greatly contribute to the economic success of the state,” said Sen. Thune. “This legislation will ensure that the EPA does not have authority to interfere with the regulation of gun ammunition or fishing tackle, which would come with great economic costs.”

“It’s always important to find a commonsense balance between protecting the rights of hunters, anglers and outdoorsmen and protecting our environment and wildlife habitats for future generations,” said Rep. Ross.

“There is no credible scientific evidence that demonstrates traditional ammunition and fishing tackle pose any threat to human health or wildlife population and this legislation is needed to permanently address this issue once and for all. I’m pleased to join this bipartisan effort and to work to stop the TSCA petition, which is the most recent in a long string of attacks on our cherished hunting and fishing heritage.”

Late last year, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), members of the CSC and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), along with members of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), and the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), urged EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to reject the proposed ban on lead based ammunition and fishing tackle.

“This issue is about protecting America’s sportsmen as a federal ban on lead ammunition and fishing gear would negatively impact industry and wildlife conservation funding by driving up costs and serving as a disincentive for Americans to get outdoors,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“We applaud and thank Sen. Tester and Sen. Thune, and Rep. Miller and Rep. Ross for introducing this common-sense measure,” said Stephen L. Sanetti, member of the CSF Board of Directors and NSSF President and CEO. “This bill will continue to ensure that America’s hunters and shooters can choose for themselves the best ammunition to use, instead of unnecessarily mandating the universal use of expensive alternatives.”

State fish and wildlife agencies are authorized to manage most of a state’s fish and wildlife, and therefore, closely monitor and address any local concerns about lead based ammunition and fishing tackle and any potential impacts on local species.

No scientific basis has been established to warrant any such wholesale ban on traditional fishing equipment. A similar proposal to ban lead fishing tackle was dismissed by the EPA in the mid-1990s because there was insufficient data to support such a ban at that time.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Introduces Legislation to Protect Lead Based Ammo and Fishing Tackle

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congress Passes Legislation that Returns Wolf Management to State Fish and Game

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The United States Congress passed legislation today to remove certain populations of gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return management of fully recovered wolf populations back to state wildlife managers.

As part of the FY 2011 budget agreement reached last Friday and passed today, the rider introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) member Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho and CSC Senate Co-Chair, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the latest (2009) ruling declaring the wolf recovered and to return wolf management to state agencies in Montana and Idaho, as well as portions of Utah, Washington and Oregon. Additionally, the provision precludes further lawsuits and preserves the decision made by Wyoming U.S. District Judge Johnson in November 2010, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wrongfully rejected Wyoming’s wolf management plan.

“Rep. Simpson and Sen. Tester, as well as others in the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, are to be congratulated for their leadership in this historic move towards delisting of wolves and rightfully returning the species management to professional state wildlife managers,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane. “We will continue to support efforts in Congress and work with Administration to return all recovered wolf populations to the states.”

“I am confident that this language gets us closer to our ultimate goal, which is seeing the entire Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population taken off the endangered species list and managed exclusively by the states,” said Rep. Simpson. “Not only do wolf populations in the west far exceed recovery goals, but without proper management they have become so robust that they are adversely impacting other wildlife populations in the region and are spilling into other states not in the original recovery area. This language takes an important first step by allowing for a wolf hunt this year in Idaho and Montana and allowing Wyoming to move closer to developing an approved state management plan.”

“This is more than a victory for Montana,” said Tester. “It’s a win for rural America, for jobs, and for our wildlife—and it’s what’s right for the wolves themselves. This was never going to get done with partisan games or grandstanding. We fixed this problem with Montana values—by putting aside our differences and working together on a responsible, common sense plan.”

The Congressional mandate applies to only a part of the area where wolves have exceeded recovery goals. Wyoming’s wolves remain under federal ESA protection. Only parts of Washington, Oregon, and Utah are included in the delisting although wolves are moving into other parts of those states. The Western Great Lakes area is excluded from the provision, where a fourth round of rulemaking is expected to begin soon.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A coalition of the nation’s largest hunting and conservation organizations welcomed a provision championed by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) member Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho and CSC Senate Co-Chair, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as part of a the FY 2011 budget agreement to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year.

The coalition includes the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, and Pope and Young Club.

The groups support this initial step toward state management of recovered wolves and the clear assertion by Congress that recovered wildlife should be delisted from the ESA.

The groups also note that other states have recovered wolf populations that have not yet been delisted and urge Congress to actively pursue delisting for those states also.

The Simpson-Tester rider directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the latest (2009) ruling declaring the wolf recovered and to return wolf management to state agencies in Montana and Idaho, as well as portions of Utah, Washington and Oregon. Additionally, the provision precludes further lawsuits and preserves the decision made by Wyoming U.S. District Judge Johnson in November 2010, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wrongfully rejected Wyoming’s wolf management plan.

“This agreement is only the first step in returning management of the gray wolf back to state authority where it belongs,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane. “Thanks to the leadership of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, a concrete move towards delisting has been taken and certain states will once again have the authority to manage wolves in the near future.”

Dr. Larry Rudolph, President of Safari Club International, said “We are pleased that the work of this important coalition has yielded a historical precedent from the Congress to cut off the endless litigation and return recovered populations of wolves to state management.”

“Federal management goals were met for all wolf populations at least 10 years ago and wolves now number at least five times over the federal goals. Federal officials at the USFWS have attempted delisting three times in the Rockies and Great Lakes and – despite the clear achievement of recovery – each attempt was turned back to the USFWS on questions of process. This fix is long overdue and we applaud it,” said David Allen, CEO of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The coalition noted that the Congressional mandate applies to only a part of the area where wolves are beyond recovery goals. Wyoming’s wolves remain under federal ESA protection. Only parts of Washington, Oregon, and Utah are included in the delisting although wolves are moving into other parts of those states. The Western Great Lakes area is excluded from the provision, where a fourth round of rulemaking is expected to begin soon.

Chris Cox, Executive Director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, said, “We are pleased with this important step and hope that opponents of delisting have gotten the message that Congress is sending. We will be closely watching the pending delisting in the Western Great Lakes. In the meantime, we will continue to push for a comprehensive solution in Congress.”

“It is unwise to try the same thing over and over again and expect a different result,” said Gray Thornton, CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “We’ve seen three times already that this process is unclear and causes – as Judge Molloy described it – ‘turmoil of legal issues with practical management issues’. This is a problem only Congress can fix. Congress has now fixed part of the Rockies and the Northwest. Turmoil will continue until Congress completes the job in the Rockies, including Wyoming, the Northwest and the Great Lakes region – and anywhere else where wolf populations are recovered.”

The wolf delisting agreement in the FY 2011 budget came on the heels of Montana U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy ruling against a settlement proposal by environmental groups that would have returned wolf management temporarily to Idaho and Montana only.

In order to return all recovered wolf populations to state managers, the group supports further efforts in Congress and the Administration until a comprehensive fix is complete.

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The sportsmen’s community lost a valued friend yesterday with the passing of Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Board of Directors member and well known Georgia businessman and sportsman, Gene Bishop of Dawsonville, Georgia.

“We are all deeply saddened at the passing of a wonderful man and great supporter of hunting and fishing,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and the rest of Gene’s family.”

“Gene was a great friend to me both personally and professionally and to sportsmen throughout Georgia and the nation, and he will be missed by all those whose lives he has touched through the years,” said former Congressman Lindsay Thomas, Chairman of the CSF Board of Directors.

Gene Bishop

Bishop was a lifetime hunter, angler and conservationist who served on the CSF Board of Directors as well as the board of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

He was past national president of the Jaycees’ U.S. Junior Chamber International Senate, former president of the North Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Georgia Health Care Association and regional vice-president, first vice-president and national president of the American Health Care Association.

Gene also served as Georgia Southern University Boosters Chairman of the Board, where the Bishop Field House at Paulson Stadium on the university campus was named in his honor in 2007.

Congressional Sportsmen

Richmond, VA --(Ammoland.com)- Virginia Senate Bill 868, scheduled for a vote tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Virginia House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, poses a significant threat to deer, elk and bear populations within the state.

This bill would allow “Whenever deer, elk, or bear are damaging agriculture operations, as defined in § 3.2-300, the owner or lessee of the lands on which such damage is done, or his representative, shall request authorization from the Director or his designee prior to killing such deer, elk, or bear when they are found upon the land upon which the damages occurred.

The Director or his designee shall, without undue delay and subject to subsection F, authorize the owner or his representative to kill such deer, elk, or bear for a term of 12 months from the date of registration, except during the open season for each species.”

The current policy calls for proof of damages through an investigation by the VDGIF before a damage permit is approved to kill the deer or bear. This policy only includes deer and bear, but this legislation would also include elk under these provisions.

While sportsmen respect the rights of private landowners, removing this investigation requirement before a permit is issued to kill these animals threatens the long term health of the state’s deer, elk, and bear populations. A sensible solution for this issue is continued oversight from the wildlife management professionals at the VDGIF that does not threaten the successful model of wildlife conservation that has provided quality deer, elk, or bear populations.

This bill would allow any number of animals to be killed outside of established hunting seasons and at night once a permit was issued, and claims that these animals were harming agriculture, without VDGIF on-site verification, would allow unlimited numbers of deer, elk and bear to be killed.

Sportsmen should call and/or email the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources delegates immediately and ask that they oppose SB 868.

Virginia House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee

Chairman Harvey B. Morgan
(804) 698-1098
DelHMorgan@house.virginia.gov

Vice Chair Edward T. Scott
(804) 698-1030
DelEScott@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Beverly Sherwood
(804) 698-1029
DelBSherwood@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Lee R. Ware, Jr.
(804) 698-1065
DelLWare@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Thomas C. Wright, Jr.
(804) 698-1061
DelTWright@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Robert D. Orrock, Sr.
(804) 698-1054
DelBOrrock@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Daniel W. Marshall, III
(804) 698-1014
DelDMarshall@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Charles D. Poindexter
(804) 698-1009
DelCPoindexter@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Brenda L. Pogge
(804) 698-1096
DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Barry D. Knight
(804) 698-1081
DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Richard P. Bell
(804) 698-1020
DelDBell@house.virginia.gov

Delegate James E. Edmunds, II
(804) 698-1060
DelJEdmunds@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Tony O. Wilt
(804) 698-1026
DelTWilt@house.virginia.gov

Delegate John A. Cox
(804) 698-1055
DelJCox@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Kenneth R. Plum
(804) 698-1036
DelKPlum@house.virginia.gov

Delegate James M. Shuler
(804) 698-1012
DelJShuler@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr.
(804) 698-1000
DelLLewis@house.virginia.gov

Delegate David L. Bulova
(804) 698-1037
DelDBulova@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Mark D. Sickles
(804) 698-1043
DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov

Delegate David L. Englin
(804) 698-1045
DelDEnglin@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Matthew James
(804) 698-1080
DelMJames@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Luke E. Torian
(804) 698-1052
DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) celebrated the return of members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) to Washington for the 112th Congress Tuesday night with a “Welcome To Congress” reception at the Rayburn House office building.

Thirty members of the United States Congress joined over 150 hunting, fishing, and conservation leaders, policy makers, and industry representatives for this yearly event to introduce newly elected representatives to the CSC as well as welcome past and present members.

“There are many caucuses on Capitol Hill, but the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus is the largest, most active and effective caucus in Washington and this event is a vivid illustration of our shared commitment to this nation’s outdoor heritage,” said CSC Senate Co-Chair, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

“As a lifelong hunter and angler and knowing the importance of hunting and fishing to my constituents, I feel strongly that it is my duty to protect the heritage and outdoor opportunities for sportsmen and women across the country,” said CSC House Co-Chair, Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas. “The future of our fish and wildlife depend a great deal on the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the work we do in Washington.”

This year’s reception focused on legislative issues of concern to sportsmen coming in the 112th Congress and served as an opportunity for the sportsmen’s community to meet their elected champions in Washington.

“This turnout of CSC members illustrates their dedication and commitment to the outdoor traditions of hunting and fishing,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “The American sportsman has an effective group of champions in Washington who continue to lead the way in improving hunting, fishing, and conservation opportunities.

This year’s “Welcome” title sponsor was Amgen and the event was hosted by the American Petroleum Institute and Oracle, and participating as co-hosts were the Accord Group, Anheuser-Busch, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Bluewater Strategies, Capitol Hill Consulting Group, Cauthen, Forbes & Williams, Cornerstone Government Affairs, Crossroad Strategies, Ducks Unlimited, Ervin Technical Associates, Kimball & Associates, Natural Resource Results, National Marine Manufacturing Association, National Rifle Association, PAC/WEST, Patrick Raffaniello, Polaris Consulting, Safari Club International, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, and Watershed Results.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The over 40 million sportsmen and women of America welcome strong bi-partisan leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to Washington as the 112th United States Congress convenes today.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), and Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) were selected by their fellow sportsmen in the United States Congress to serve as Co-Chairs. Leadership Vice-Chairs include: Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), and Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC).

Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus have a long, rich history of producing legislation that effectively protects hunting, angling, trapping, and effective fish and wildlife management and with new leadership leading the way we expect no less in the 112th Congress,” said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

Established in 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus works to protect the interests of America’s hunters, anglers, and trappers in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. The new leadership will guide the nearly 300 members of the Caucus in efforts to champion sportsmen and women in the federal legislative process.

Statements from the New Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Leadership

“Montana has a rich outdoor heritage, and I’m proud to pass that heritage down to my kids and grandkids,” said Sen. Tester, a third-generation farmer. “I look forward to working together in the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to ensure access to public land and to stand up for what our outdoors has to offer—things like hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.”

“I am proud to represent a state with a rich tradition of outdoor sporting activities,” said Sen. Thune. “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, I look forward to working with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation to ensure that our nation’s outdoor traditions are protected for future generations of hunters and anglers.”

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus has a long history of putting policy over partisan politics in order to protect this country’s heritage of hunting, fishing, and enjoying the great outdoors,” said Rep. Miller. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle during the 112th Congress and helping to pass legislation that protects the rights of fellow sportsmen.”

“As an avid hunter and outdoorsmen, I am honored to help lead the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in the next Congress,” said Rep. Ross. “Outdoor activities like hunting and fishing are an important part of our heritage and way of life, especially in my home state of Arkansas. I firmly believe this important tradition must be preserved and promoted, especially in our nation’s capital.”

“As a Senator from North Carolina, one of the best places to hunt and fish in the United States, I am honored to be a vice-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. I come from a family of lifelong hunters, and among my favorite activities are hiking and fishing across North Carolina,” said Sen. Hagan. My husband, Chip, went duck hunting over New Year’s while I was in Afghanistan visiting our troops. I look forward to working with members of the caucus to support our sportsmen and women and to preserve our public lands into the future.”

“I have been hunting and fishing my whole life, so I am well aware of the value these forms of recreation provide to millions of Americans each year,” said Sen. Risch. “I look forward to working with other caucus members to both advocate and defend sportsmen’s and sportswomen’s interests in the new Congress.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Jeff Miller for this opportunity to serve the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in the next Congress. Sportsmen and sportswomen issues are important for me as a public servant,” said Rep. Latta. “I look forward to working with all members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to protect and advance the values, traditions, and rights sportsmen and sportswomen enjoy in the United States.”

“I have been a hunter since I was a kid, and now am blessed to be able pass a love of hunting on to my son,” said Rep. Shuler. “Sportsmanship is personally important to me, but it is also vital to tourism and the economy in many parts of our country, including Western North Carolina. I am honored to help lead this important Caucus in the 112th Congress.”

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Members of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) elected members of the 2011-2013 Executive Council last week during the Seventh Annual NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit in Point Clear, Alabama.

Re-elected to the Council were: Rep. Candy Ezell of New Mexico, Rep. Marc Gergely of Pennsylvania, Rep. Brandon Phelps of Illinois, Rep. Mike Pitts of South Carolina, and Sen. Robin Webb of Kentucky.

“The NASC Executive Council provides vital assistance to the state caucuses, arming them to make a big difference at the state level on a variety of issues,” said CSF States Director Bethany O’Donovan.

New members elected to serve are Rep. Gary Hayzlett of Kansas, Sen. Bill Heath of Georgia, Rep. Jerry Weiers of Arizona and alternates were Rep. Craig Miner of Connecticut and Rep. Randy Stewart of Arkansas.

Rep. Pitts was re-elected to his second term as President of the NASC Executive Council. Sen. Webb was selected as Vice-President and Rep. Phelps as Secretary.

“I look forward to the next two years of assisting my fellow legislators in educating and assisting them on issues that are important to their sporting constituents and protect sportsmen’s interests through advancing pro-sportsmen issues and protecting against attacks from the anti-hunting and fishing community,” said Pitts.

The NASC Executive Council provides advice and counsel to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and its state program, the NASC. The Executive Council assists with the establishment and promotion of pro-sportsmen ideas as well as facilitates sharing information between state caucuses, conservation partners and allied industries, and ensures NASC provides services to the 38 individual state caucuses.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)-  State legislative leaders from across the nation gathered last week at the annual National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Sportsman-Legislator Summit to discuss an ambitious agenda to address hunting, angling, trapping, and conservation issues in state capitals across the country.

The three-day summit of conservation, industry and state legislative leaders was held December 6th-9th at The Grand Hotel Marriot in Point Clear, Alabama. The theme for this year’s meeting, “Yesterday’s Heritage and Tomorrow’s Promise,” describes the mission of the NASC in building upon past successes to address the challenges of the future.

“State sportsmen’s caucuses have made significant strides in the past few years, but this meeting and the issues discussed and debated provide a valuable foundation for our future efforts to promote and protect the interests of sportsmen and women in the halls of state government,” said NASC Executive Council President, Rep. Mike Pitts of South Carolina.

“It is obvious from the level of support and participation of the hunting and fishing community, that everyone understands the significance of the NASC,” said CSF States Director Bethany O’Donovan.  “Many of the most important decisions affecting our outdoor traditions are made by state legislators; the policies they craft, debate and enact will impact every single individual who spends time hunting, fishing, or trapping.”

Alongside legislators in attendance were conservation and industry executives from across the nation as everyone participated in various panel discussions and presentations including: hydraulic fracturing for natural gas; aquatic nuisance species management; feral swine control; new challenges for the recreational saltwater angler; and media relations.

With 38 state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses and over 2,000 state legislators united on the legislative front protecting and promoting hunting, fishing and fish and wildlife management, the NASC provides a vital link between state caucuses and the outdoor community.

“While there are 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 100 members of the U.S. Senate, there are 7,342 state legislators and over 2,000 of them are affiliated with the various state sportsmen’s caucuses that make up the NASC,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane. “This summit arms these state sportsmen’s caucus members with valuable information to take back to their states and fight the good fight.”

For the seventh consecutive year, the National Shooting Sports Foundation served as 2010 title sponsor. Altria and Safari Club International served as host sponsors. Dallas Safari Club and Sportsman Channel served as co-hosts.

Sponsors included: the Alabama Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation, American Sportfishing Association, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, ATK Federal Premium, Buck Knives, Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance, Cabela’s, California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, Center for Coastal Conservation, Chesapeake Energy, Coastal Conservation Association, Competitive Power Ventures, DowAgroSciences, ExxonMobil, International Game Fish Association, Miller Coors, National Ocean Industries Association, Pheasants Forever, Pope & Young Club, and Ruffed Grouse Society.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Board Chairman Tom Baker Named to Outdoor Life 25

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Tom Baker, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), was recently named to the 2010 Outdoor Life 25 for the magazine’s annual recognition of men and women who have changed the face of hunting and fishing.

Baker has served the last two years of Chairman of the CSF Board and has been a member of the Board since 2005.

He formerly served as district commissioner and past chairman of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission, a governor-appointed panel.

He also is a past director for the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and a member of the Boone & Crockett Club.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) successfully exempted video depicting hunting, trapping and fishing in the “Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010” as approved by the U.S. Senate in September and passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last night .

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), in partnership with Safari Club International (SCI) and the National Rifle Association (NRA), earlier this year expressed concerns to the leadership of the CSC that the legislative language in the bill should explicitly exclude videos and television programs showing legal hunting, fishing and trapping activities.

“While we all oppose malicious cruelty to animals such as those seen in these videos, it was vitally important that this legislation specifically address the filming, distribution and sale of legally produced hunting, fishing and trapping video and television programming,” said CSC House Co-Chair, Rep. Paul Ryan.

On April 20 of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 1999 federal law that prohibited the production and distribution of videos depicting the shocking form of animal cruelty known as “crush videos.” CSF joined Safari Club International in an amicus curiae brief in this case, raising concerns about the potential impact of the decision on hunting videos.

“This legislation, thanks to the work of the CSC, alleviates the concerns that the sportsman’s community had about a potential ban on legitimate hunting, fishing and trapping videos,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) recently added four new members, reaching the milestone of 29 member Governors, a majority of the 50 state chief executives.

The GSC is modeled after the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) in the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC, and the 38 states sportsmen’s caucuses that make up the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC).

“Although this Caucus is only a year old, having a majority of the nation’s Governors joining together in a common purpose of protecting and advancing sportsmen’s access to resources is a major accomplishment for our overall state program,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane.

The GSC was launched July 17, 2009 to facilitate communication and information exchange between participating offices in support of legislation and regulations that promote and protect hunting, fishing and the shooting sports. The members of the GSC work closely with their respective state sportsmen’s caucuses in advancing sportsmen’s interests in the states.

“The CSF State Program, including the state legislative caucuses and the Governors has grown tremendously over the last few years, complimenting one another and making sure that sportsmen in their states have access to quality habitat,” said Bethany O’Donovan, Director of CSF State Programs.

The collective force of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, working closely with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, serves as an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen legislators and chief executives that promote and protect the agenda of America’s hunters and anglers.

Click HERE for a list of members and the leadership of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- On the heels of the most successful annual banquet and auction to date, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Board of Directors selected officers for 2011 and voted to approve Walter McLallen as a member of the Board.

Lindsay Thomas, former Congressman from Georgia, former Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and current Vice-Chairman of the CSF Board, was elected by his peers to serve as Chairman of the Board.

Current Secretary of the CSF Board and President of the Boone & Crockett Club, Robert Model, was elected to serve as Vice-Chairman, and CSF Board member and President of Lipsey’s and Haspel, Laurie Aronson, was elected Secretary. Paul Miller remains Treasurer, and long standing member Phil Morlock of Shimano, was selected to continue his service as Honorary Board Chairman.

“Our mission is to support and unite the consensus of the over 300 members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, the over 2,000 state legislators of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and the 28 state chief executives of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus in the bi-partisan effort of protecting the interests and concerns of America’s hunters and anglers,” said Thomas.

“This means not only protecting the rights of America’s sportsmen but seeing that the natural environment that sustains our wildlife resources is protected and enhanced for future generations.”

McLallen is an avid sportsman and outdoorsman and is the founder and a Managing Director of Meritage Capital Advisors, a financial advisory boutique engaged in corporate finance, private equity origination and asset management. He has been an investor and member of the Board of Directors of The Freedom Group, the largest firearm and ammunition company in the nation, and its predecessors since 2006 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

“CSF is fortunate to have exceptional and quality individuals serving on our board. Their insights, counsel and guidance have been invaluable while increasing our role as the leader in organizing state and federal elected officials to promote a pro-sportsmen’s agenda,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Seventy-eight members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) signed a letter delivered last Thursday to Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging the agency to dismiss the petition to ban the use of lead in fishing products.

The CSC members state in the letter, “There are 60 million recreational anglers in America that contribute $125 billion to our economy annually, and penalizing these men, women and children that are the best stewards of our environment, as well as the financial backbone to fish and wildlife conservation in our country, would be a terrible and unnecessary injustice.”

The CSC letter comes on the heels of a similar letter to Administrator Jackson requesting dismissal of the petition, sent on September 15, from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and its partner members of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) and sportfishing communities. (See EPA Denies Petition Calling for Lead Ammunition Ban)

“This issue is about protecting America’s 60 million recreational anglers, and this attempt to ban lead based fishing tackle could potentially drive up cost and serve as a disincentive for Americans to fish,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), representing the 50 state fish and wildlife agencies, also sent a letter the EPA on September 2nd urging them to dismiss the petition.

State fish and wildlife agencies are authorized to manage most of a state’s fish and wildlife, and therefore, closely monitor and address any local concerns about lead based fishing tackle and any potential impacts on local species. A federal ban on lead fishing tackle is not only unnecessary, but intrudes upon these traditional state agencies jurisdiction.

No scientific basis has been established to warrant any such ban on traditional fishing equipment. A similar proposal to ban lead fishing tackle was dismissed by the EPA in the mid-1990s because there was insufficient data to support such a ban at that time.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) welcomed more than 50 members of Congress and over 500 other guests, including government officials, congressional staff and outdoor industry representatives, for its annual banquet and auction Wednesday night.

The yearly banquet and auction provides an opportunity for the outdoor sporting community to recognize the tremendous work of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC).

Members of Congress were able to meet with the leaders of the hunting, fishing, and shooting sports communities to be acknowledged for their efforts on legislation directly impacting sportsmen.

“We work with members of the Caucus every day on issues of importance in keeping sportsmen active in hunting, fishing and the shooting sports, and the banquet is the best opportunity we have all year to thank them for their diligence in what has been a successful year for pro-sportsmen legislation,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

A reception and silent auction preceded the dinner and live auction, where a large number of items, including guided hunting and fishing trips, vacation getaways, rifles, shotguns, pistols, fur coats and other prizes were auctioned.

“We are very grateful to all those supporters who attended and sponsored this event and provided some fantastic auction items, all benefitting our mission of working with the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to keep sportsmen in the field,” said CSF Board Chairman Tom Baker.

This 2010 Banquet & Auction was hosted by Anheuser-Busch, Amgen, ATK, Cabela’s, Cox Enterprises Inc., Dallas Safari Club, Diageo, Ford, Intermedia Outdoors, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Outdoor Channel, Remington, Sportsman Channel, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America and Yamaha.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

WASHINGTON, DC --(AmmoLand.com)- The United States Senate passed a major piece of pro-sportsmen legislation yesterday to help firearm and ammunition manufacturers grow business and help strengthen wildlife conservation funding.

The Senate, by unanimous consent, passed H.R. 5552 the “Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act of 2010” or so-called FAET legislation sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member and former Co-Chair Rep. Ron Kind. If signed into law, this legislation will allow firearms and ammunition manufacturers to pay excise taxes quarterly as opposed to the current bi-weekly schedule. The bill passed the U.S. House last month by an overwhelming 412-6 vote.

The firearm and ammunition excise tax is the major revenue source for funding the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund also known as the Pittman-Robertson Trust Fund. Last year alone, firearm and ammunition manufacturers contributed approximately 450 million dollars to wildlife conservation, shooting ranges, and hunter education programs through excise tax payments.

“The bi-partisan sportsmen-legislators of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus once again prove that they are the legislative champions for America’s hunters, anglers and gun owners,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

The CSC made passage of this bill to reform the federal excise tax a legislative priority in the 111th Congress. The effort was supported by a broad coalition of sportsmen and conservation groups, including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Rifle Association (NRA), and Safari Club International (SCI).

“This bill strengthens wildlife conservation funding in America,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “By enabling manufacturers to grow their businesses, excise tax receipts will actually grow.”

S.632, companion legislation to Rep. Kind’s original House bill, H.R. 510, was introduced by CSC Senate Co-Chair Sen. Mike Crapo along with current CSC member and former Co-Chair Sen. Max Baucus. This bill was amended by Kind and reintroduced as H.R. 5552 in order to addresses concerns about the budgetary implications of the original legislation and explicitly comply with statutory Pay-Go rules. H.R. 5552 does not add a penny to the deficit or create a new tax while also maintaining the current level of conservation dollars generated by the tax.

“We understood early on the importance of this legislation to not only the gun and ammunition manufacturers, but to all of America’s hunters, anglers and gun owners,” said Baucus. “The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus acted and passage of this bill is a major accomplishment in continuing funding for wildlife conservation.”

“This is one of those rare win-win situations for everyone involved,” explained Crapo. “Switching to a quarterly excise tax payment system would put firearms and ammunition manufacturers on the same system as nearly every other business that collects similar taxes. The frequency of tax payments under current law imposes a burden on the industry; in fact, some manufacturers end up taking out short-term loans to pay the excise taxes, which then results in additional expense and administrative overhead. Money is diverted away from core business areas to finance tax payments, which means fewer funds are available to reinvest and grow business.”

The bi-weekly payment schedule forces many manufacturers to borrow money to ensure on-time payment, and industry members spend thousands of man-hours administering the paperwork to successfully complete the payments — monies that are due long before manufacturers are paid by their customers.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Washington, DC --(AmmoLand.com)- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) worked to explicitly exempt hunting, trapping, and fishing activities in legislation prohibiting production and sale of so-called animal “crush videos”.

H.R. 5566, the “Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010”, introduced by Rep. Elton Gallegly and Rep. Gary Peters, will ban the production of “crush videos” which depict animal cruelty.

“While we all oppose malicious cruelty to animals such as those seen in these videos, it was vitally important that the new legislation specifically address the filming, distribution and sale of legally produced hunting, fishing and trapping video and television programming,” said CSC Co-Chair Rep. Paul Ryan.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), in partnership with Safari Club International (SCI) the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) expressed concerns to the leadership of the CSC that the legislative language in H.R. 5566 should explicitly exclude videos and television programs showing legal hunting, fishing and trapping activities.

The CSC leadership worked with the sponsors of the legislation to incorporate this important exclusion.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Washington, DC --(AmmoLand.com)- The United States Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests has scheduled a hearing on April 28 concerning S. 1241, sponsored by CSC Senate Vice-Chair Sen. Jon Tester.

This legislation would establish new guidelines for filming hunting and fishing programs on federal lands.

Along with companion legislation filed last year in the U.S. House, H.R. 2031, sponsored by CSC House Co-Chair Rep. Dan Boren, and co-sponsored by six CSC members including Co-Chair Rep. Paul Ryan, S. 1241 would direct the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to create an annual permit and fee for commercial filming activities on Federal land for film crews of 5 persons or less.

Currently, fees and permits are used to help offset any impact made to public lands, but for the average hunting or fishing program the present rate is completely incompatible with the impact they actually make. The criteria for granting permits are most often inconsistently applied at the discretion of regional managers.

S. 1241 and H.R. 2031 would create a separate guideline and fee schedule to be truly reflective of the impact small crews’ activity has on the Federal land.

About:
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org

Safari Club Internationa

Washington, DC –-(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Supreme Court today, in United States v. Stevens, struck down a federal law that could have criminalized the sale of hunting videos.

As reported on AmmoLand.com Safari Club International and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation joined to file an amicus (friend of the Court) brief that explained how the law could apply to many hunting videos. The Court quoted SCI’s brief and relied, in part, on SCI’s arguments to hold the law unconstitutionally overbroad.

The law made the production or sale of a depiction (e.g., video or picture) of “animal cruelty” punishable by up to five years in prison. The Supreme Court found that Congress wrote the law much too broadly. The law made illegal any depiction of the killing or wounding of a live animal if the act being depicted is itself illegal in the state where the video is sold. As a result, videos of hunting activities that are legal where filmed would violate the law if the videos were sold in a state where that type of hunting activity is illegal. One example from SCI’s brief on which the Court relied was the sharp-tailed grouse, which may be hunted in Idaho, but not in Washington.

The Court also quoted from SCI’s brief to reject the argument that hunting videos would be protected by the law’s exception for videos with serious educational or scientific value. The Court’s opinion stated “According to Safari Club International and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, many popular [hunting] videos ‘have primarily entertainment value’ and are designed to ‘entertai[n] the viewer, marke[t] hunting equipment, or increas[e] the hunting community.’”

SCI President Larry Rudolph said, “This tremendous victory is a great example of how SCI is First for Hunters. SCI did not hesitate to devote its resources to filing a brief with the Supreme Court to advocate our interests. The people who produce and sell the hunting videos we all enjoy should not have to risk five years in prison and now they will not. With this opinion, SCI has reached a new level of advocacy for SCI members and for all hunters.”

-SCI-
SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s approximately 190 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 18 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home page www.safariclub.org or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.