Update on the Sportsmen's Act

photo by Bryan Huskey

The Sportsmen Act did not pass last weeks. Vaughn Collins, an important friend of sportsmen in Washington DC, and the government affairs director for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership said the bill needed 60 votes to secure a budget waiver on Monday, but only found 50 as Republican votes slipped away. They opposed it on a procedural point of order apparently related to an increase in the price of a duck stamp in the bill. If that strikes you as an odd reason to nuke such important conservation legislation.

"We’re all fed up with congressional gridlock, but readers of this blog need to insist that senators compromise and reach a bipartisan agreement on the bill now. It’s already passed the House, but – as we all know from the incessant “fiscal cliff” turmoil – the congressional clock is ticking. If this package is to become law, it needs action within the next three weeks.

Why support it? Here’s one big reason. It would give the Secretary of the Interior – in consultation with the Migratory Bird Commission – the authority to raise the price of a federal Duck Stamp. That hasn’t happened in decades, and given the onslaught of habitat destruction occurring across the nations wetlands it’s sorely needed. Those federal Duck Stamp dollars acquire lands across the Prairie Pothole Region for permanent wildlife habitat in the form of refuges and waterfowl production areas. A $15 stamp doesn't go as far anymore, especially in the era of $8-per-bushel corn." Rob Drieslein

Your voice is needed on Capitol Hill to help push the Sportsmen's Act of 2012 across the finish line. Congress adjourns in just two weeks and we could miss our chance at passing one of the most important pieces of legislation sportsmen have seen in years.

Please call your Senators’ offices today and tell the staff member who answers to urge Senator Tester and Senator Sessions to find a solution for the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 and pass it before time runs out. 

Click here to find out more.

Have you heard about The Sportsmen's Act

There's an important bill for sportsmen I've been trying to keep up to date on because the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has been involved in supporting the bill along with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Boone and Crockett Club and other members of the sportsmen’s community commended the decision.

The Sportsmen Act or S. 3535 is a bill introduced into the Senate back in September that combines nearly 20 bipartisan measures. Even thought the bill is not perfect at this time, The Sportsmen’s Act, introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), would increase access to federal land for hunters and fishermen while also supporting conservation measures such as establishing a National Fish Habitat Board and extending the sale of stamps, the proceeds from which go to conservation funds that help elephants, tigers, rhinos, great apes and marine turtles. 

After much drama, The Senate advanced the Sportsmen’s Act on Thursday morning in an 84-12 vote. Behind closed door discussions, and lots of parliamentary procedures the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 is scheduled for final action on Monday November 26^th at 5:30 PM.  There's still some amendments that both sides need to agree on before it is passed and apparently there is a substitute bill on behalf of Tester which replaces the original bill and will serve as the final version of S. 3525. 

This is a huge advance for hunters, anglers and the conservation of fish and wildlife. To keep up to date on what is happening with the bill read here. 

Ken releases a single spey
photo by Mia