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March 7, 2006
Volume 4, Issue 8
State Caucus Update
Gaining Ground for Youth Hunting from California to Michigan
Internet Hunting Bills Moving in Several States
Hunters Feeding the Hungry Bills Introduced in Minnesota
Iowa Legislators Move Landowner Liability Bill to Senate
Turkey Tag Bill Headed to Washington Governor
Gaining Ground for Youth Hunting from California to Michigan
Sportsmen legislators around the country are embracing the campaign to increase youth hunting opportunities by introducing legislation creating mentored hunting programs. These programs allow young people to venture out into the field on a supervised hunt with a fully licensed hunter before being required to sit through many hours of hunter education classes. After hearing about the Families Afield campaign by NASC partners National Wild Turkey Federation, National Shooting Sports Foundation and US Sportsmen’s Alliance at the NASC 2nd Anuual Meeting, state sportsmen’s caucuses are taking the initiative in promoting youth hunting bills.
Michigan Caucus Co-Chair and NASC Executive Council Member Senator Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau) introduced S.1105, now in the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, last Wednesday. In California, A 2166 was introduced and assigned to the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on Thursday. Caucus Member Representative Mark H. Beaubien of Illinois introduced an amendment to H 5407 to create an apprentice hunter program which was successfully attached to the bill and then voted through the House to the Senate on Friday.
The Mississippi Sportsmen’s Caucus continued its active first session by passing a youth hunting measure, H 698, in the Senate. Caucus Co-Chair Representative Eric Robinson (R-Quitman) introduced the bill which is now headed back to the House for concurrence. Oklahoma Representative Mike Jackson (R-Enid) introduced mentored youth hunting legislation that passed the House last Wednesday. The bill is now up for a vote in the Senate. Utah legislators have also joined the bandwagon by passing H 328, a measure that removes minimum age requirements for hunting turkey, small game and upland game. The bill is now ready for Governor Jon Huntsman's signature.
Internet Hunting Bills Moving in Several States
Continuing a trend that began last year, bans on hunting via the internet remain a key legislative focus for state sportsmen’s caucuses around the country. Kentucky Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Robin Webb’s (D-Grayson) bill to ban remote internet hunting, H 289, was moved to the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee last week. Members of the Mississippi Sportsmen’s Caucus passed similar legislation on Thursday and sent S.2041 to Governor Haley Barbour.
Louisiana officials prefiled two bills yesterday to outlaw internet hunting in the state. Caucus Co-Chair Representative Bryant Hammett (D-Ferriday) and fellow legislator Representative Michael Strain (R-Covington) introduced H 49 and H 52 to be taken up when the legislature convenes later this month.
In New Hampshire, the internet hunting ban, H 1420, passed the House today. Legislators in New Jersey also acted upon a remote hunting ban on Monday. A Senate committee sent A 764 to the floor for a vote. The measure already passed the Assembly in February. Hunters Feeding the Hungry Bills Introduced in Minnesota
Minnesota legislators introduced H 2619 and S.2593 to create a $1 surcharge that would go toward the costs of processing donated game meat for charitable programs. Surplus game meat supplied by hunters can provide much needed protein for the hungry, and legislation to encourage the establishment of game donation programs has been led by several state sportsmen’s caucuses.
Iowa Legislators Move Landowner Liability Bill to Senate
In a move to ease concerns over urban deer population control hunts, S.2107 was sent to the Senate from the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment last week. The bill will limit liability to private landowners should any incidents occur on their property during an urban deer hunt.
Turkey Tag Bill Headed to Washington Governor
Washington ’s S.5232 was sent to Governor Christine Gregoire on Saturday. The bill creates a $14 turkey tag to supplement the small game hunting license. Youth hunters will qualify for a free tag. The additional funds generated by the tag will be used for turkey and upland game bird management programs.
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