Sportsmen Fight Hunger in Local Communities
California Bill Reinforces State Control Over Wildlife California Bill Reinforces State Control Over Wildlife A California Assembly bill that prevents a patchwork of local wildlife regulations across the state has advanced in the legislature. Assembly Bill 2146, sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla, D-Pittsburg, will forbid a city or county from adopting an ordinance that impacts the taking of fish and game unless it is necessary to protect public health and safety and it has an inconsequential effect upon the regulation of wildlife reserved to the state. The bill moved to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water after passing the Assembly on May 30 by a vote of 76 to 1. According to the bill, a local government may consult with the Department of Fish and Game to petition the Fish and Game commission to adopt a regulation if the ordinance does not meet the noted requirements. The bill further establishes a process for commission review of a local agency’s proposal. The passage of AB2146 will make it more difficult for animal rights groups to achieve their political agenda through local governments. It helps prevent a patchwork of wildlife regulations that will be detrimental to sportsmen and wildlife. Assembly bill 2146 is supported by the California Fish and Game Commission, as well as local, state and national sportsmen’s groups. Take Action! California sportsmen should contact their senators today in support of AB 2146. Explain that the power to regulate hunting and fishing is best left in the hands of state wildlife professionals. To find your legislator, call (916) 445-4251 or sue the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org. 54 Archery Magazine February/March 2007
TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 6, 2005—As part of its ongoing efforst toward ending hunger, the SCI Foundation has proclaimed November 13-19, 2006 as its fourth annual Sportsman Against Hunger Week. SCIF is once again challenging North American sportsmen and women to donate a portion of their harvests from this hunting season to the hungry for their communities. “The turnout last year was incredible. Hunters everywhere did a wonderful job helping SCIP battle hunger in their communities,” said SCIF Executive Director Tom Riley. “We are asking them to go above and beyond again this year. Hunters have the power to make hunger a thing of the past, and SCIF is happy to give them the opportunity.” Sportsmen Against Hunger is active in all 50 U.S. states, parts of Canada and in several countries around the world. Launched in 1989, this much-emulated program is supported by SCI’s international network of almost 180 chapters, over 48,000 SCI members and other sportsmen who establish local drives, fundraisers and other program support efforts. Last year, those who participated in Sportsmen Against Hunger Week provided the hungry across the United States with an overwhelming 79,139 pounds of processed game meat. This year, SCIF is looking to blow that number away by encouraging the outdoor sporting community to give even more of this high-protein, low-fat food resource. Sportsmen and women who are unsure where to take their harvests for donation can look to SCIF’s online databases of nearly 400 licensed game processors and over 300 relief organizations across the United States that use wild game for local hunger programs. These easy-to-use databases are located at www.scifoundation.org/humanitarian/sah/. Many of the processing companies and relief organizations are willing to pay for part or all of the processing and/or transportation costs.
Bowhunting Coalition Meets Forty representatives of 30 state and provincial-level bowhunting organizations attended the annual meeting of the North American Bowhunting Coalition held at the Pope & Young Club’s headquarters in Chatfield, Minnesota last August. Conferees discussed important bowhunting issues and charted action on a number of concerns including assisting the aging and physically challenged bowhunter, Sunday hunting, crossbows in bow season and high fence hunting. Rick Story, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, updated the group on antihunting initiatives of the Humane Society of the United States and the pressing issues of state-level sportsmen’s organizations. Story highlighted legislation that would expand bowhunting in some states and legislation that would restrict bowhunting in others. He illustrated the need for members to get involved locally, as well, by focusing on anti-bowhunting ordinances that have been passed in several cities. The state of Alaska will become the 40th state to implement the National Archery in the Schools Program, so reported Roy Grimes, NASP National Director. The rapidly growing school archery program is expected to reach 700,000 students by the end of the year. Kevin Stay, NASP coordinator for Brennan Industries, make of the Genesis bow, said nine additional states have an NASP program in the planning stages.
Wisconsin Bowhunter Association’s Mike and Rose Brust unveiled the NABC’s new website with a live Internet download from www.nabowhuntingcoalition.com. Coalition project directors reported on the completion of important action items. Gary Socola, New York Bowhunters, briefed the coalition members on the CD-formatted “Adaptive Equipment for the Aging or Physically Challenged Bowhunter” program. The CD illustrates the different ways conventional bows can be adapted for use by disabled and aging bowhunters. It will be widely distributed and is currently available for download on the NABC website. Steve Link, Washington State Bowhunters, outlined how state/provincial organizations can increase their productivity and effectiveness. Link’s 14-point presentation emphasized the best practices that have been utilized by successful bowhunting groups. Terry Receveur, Indiana Bowhunters Association, presented a descriptive seminar on high fence hunting and David Tetzlaff, president of the Traditional Bowhunters of Florida, directed a lively discussion following his presentation on the World Hunting Association’s concept of competitive, televised hunting. NABC members enclosures, labeling this venture as an affront to fair chase hunting.
Michigan Governor Signs Hunter Recruitment Bills Lansing—the Governor of Michigan gave hunter recruitment in her state a shot in the arm recently when she signed two bills designed to boost the number of new hunters entering the field. Gov. Jennifer Grandholm signed HB 5192 and SB 1105. Both bills are part of Families Afield, a program designed by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to recruit young hunters into the sport by lowering or eliminating unnecessary age restrictions. Senate Bill 1105, sponsored by Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Leelanau, co-chair of the Michigan State Sportsmen’s Caucus, creates an apprentice hunting license which allows people to be introduced to hunting under direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter before completing hunter education. To become fully licensed and hunt alone, the new hunter must complete a hunter education course. Archery Magazine February/March 2007 55