Hunter Access Helped by Congressional Legislation 8/5/10 Two pieces of federal legislation will enhance hunting, fishing and recreational activities on federally managed land. On July 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by an overwhelming 404-1 vote, a pro-sportsmen amendment to House Resolution 3534. HR 3534 is a massive energy bill that opens the door to additional access for a variety of outdoor activities and deals with numerous energy and land management issues. The amendment, sponsored by Representative Ron Kind (D- WI), guarantees at least 1.5 percent of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will go each year toward securing public access to lands managed by the Secretary of the Interior for hunting, fishing, shooting, and other outdoor recreation. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Max Baucus (D- MT) also introduced a draft of legislation on July 28 aimed at dealing with the aftermath of the BP oil spill. Included in that bill is similar language that also earmarks 1.5 percent of the LWCF for securing public access to hunting, fishing, shooting, and other outdoor recreation. “Surveys have consistently shown that a lack of access to land is a factor in keeping sportsmen out of the field,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “While this is not an end to all challenges facing sportsmen gaining access, it is a good first step forward and needs sportsmen’s support.” The LCFW was created by Congress in 1964 to provide funding to federal, state and local governments for the acquisition of land and water, and easements on land and water, for public benefit. It is mostly funded by fees paid by companies drilling offshore for oil and gas. If the LWCF is fully funded at the $900 million that it is authorized by Congress, $13.5 million will be available annually for the securing access to additional federal land. Other conservation groups actively working for passage of this legislation include the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club and the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation. http://www.ussportsmen.org/Page.aspx?pid=2496&frcrld=1#
while I'm happy to hear it I am sceptical. I hope it does indeed open more land to hunting and not just "other outdoor recreation".
I'm also skeptical, the dummicrats are historically notorious for taking away and limiting availability to hunting lands. I have a feeling this is just a ploy for the mid terms.
