April 27, 2005
Volume 3, Issue 10

State Caucus Update:
Nebraska Sportsmen’s Caucus Moves Constitutional Amendment Forward
Louisiana Kicks Off 2005 Legislative Session
Internet Hunting Ban Introduced by Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Caucus Member
Safari Club International Hosts Reception Honoring New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus

State Caucus Update:
Nebraska Sportsmen’s Caucus Moves Constitutional Amendment Forward
Legislative Resolution 8, a constitutional amendment to protect the right of Nebraskans to hunt, fish, and trap, moved one step closer to passage on Monday. After many attempts by one senator to kill the bill by attaching amendments and through filibuster, the Legislature voted 32-9 to move the bill forward. Sen. Ed Schrock, Chairman of the Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen’s Forum, introduced the bill as a means to protect the rights of sportsmen throughout the state. The bill must pass two more legislative votes, likely to take place in the 2006 legislative session, before it can be placed on the ballot for a statewide vote. In 2005, 15 states have proposed constitutional amendments protecting their right to hunt and fish, and the efforts have been led by state sportsmen’s caucuses in 7 of those states.

Louisiana Kicks Off 2005 Legislative Session
Monday, April 25 marked the start of the 2005 legislative session in Louisiana. NASC has been working with the co-chairmen of the Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to discuss possible pro-sportsman legislation and to prepare for potential anti-sportsmen’s initiatives. Model legislation that NASC has presented to the caucus include bills to ban remote hunting via the internet, protect hunting access to state lands, promote youth hunting, encourage voter registration among sportsmen, and promote programs to help sportsmen feed the hungry. NASC will help support the caucus’ efforts to have a productive legislative session for sportsmen in the state.
Internet Hunting Ban Introduced by Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Caucus Member
An internet hunting ban has been introduced in Pennsylvania as the result of NASC model legislation presented to members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. Rep. Marc Gergely (D-35), a member of the Sportsmen’s Caucus and NASC Executive Council, introduced House Bill 1435 last week. The bill follows a promising trend of states legislators working to protect the fair chase ethics of our hunting heritage.

Safari Club International Hosts Reception Honoring New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
The New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus gathered for a reception hosted by Safari Club International at the Capitol in Albany on Tuesday, April 19. Caucus Senate Co-Chairs Dale Volker (R-59) and Elizabeth Little (R-45) welcomed the newly elected Assembly Co-Chairs, Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine (D-118) and Assemblywoman Ginny Fields (D-5). NASC State Caucus Manager Aaron Hobbs joined caucus members at the event and presented a commemorative plaque to honor the one-year-old caucus. The new leadership team is eager to begin working with NASC to increase participation in the New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.

Senator Little also reminded fellow caucus members and other reception attendees about the Brad Rowse Memorial Fund. Brad, a New York native, and Senator Little shared a close working relationship. “We owe a lot of the growth and development of the New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and other state sportsmen’s caucuses to a fellow New Yorker, Brad Rowse,” noted Senator Little. “I encourage all of you to support the Brad Rowse Memorial Fund to provide an opportunity for other young natural resource professionals to learn about the public policy process. The development of more professionals like Brad can only help those of us working for sportsmen in state legislatures be more effective at our job.” The Fund will support a six-month fellowship with the Wildlife Society and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, providing students an opportunity to learn about federal and state legislative initiatives that impact sportsmen, as well as fish and wildlife conservation. For more information on the Brad Rowse Memorial Fellowship, visit: www.sportsmenslink.org/about/RowseFellowship.asp.