Eyes on the Issues

An amendment offered by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member and former Co-Chair, Rep. Ron Kind, which would direct 1.5 percent of the annual authorized Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) funding to be used for projects securing recreational public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing land sellers, will be debated this afternoon as part of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane has been appointed to the newly formed Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC) and CSF Vice-President of Policy Gary Kania received an appointment to the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Federal Advisory Committee.

April 19, 2010
For immediate release

Rob Keck of Edgefield, South Carolina was inducted into the Kansas Governor’s One Shot Hall of Fame in El Dorado, Kansas on Saturday April 17, 2010. Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson and former governor of Kansas and founder of the hunt Mike Hayden presented him the award at the One Shot Banquet.

Hayden, the current Secretary of Kansas Wildlife and Parks, introduced Keck to the 500 people from around the United States that were in attendance at the award ceremony.

“Rob has done more to advance and promote turkey hunting than anyone in America,” commented Hayden. “He has embraced the biology and technology of wild turkey management and developed an extra ordinary skill level in calling and hunting. He has promoted turkey hunting at the highest level, including the White House.”

Keck has been a supporter of the Kansas Governor’s One Shot Turkey Hunt since 1987 when the hunt began. During his 30 tenure at the National Wild Turkey Federation, 27 years as the CEO, Keck worked closely with former Kansas hunt president Marv McCown to establish a relationship between the Hunt and the NWTF. He facilitated a National Jake Essay contest for the Kansas Governor’s Hunt through the NWTF and also introduced the hunt to many people from all walks of life. He has participated in the Kansas hunt as a celebrity many years and still remains a part of the hunt since his retirement from the NWTF in 2008. Keck currently serves as the Director of Conservation for Bass Pro Shops.

“We think that Rob fits all the criteria for our Kansas Governor’s One Shot Hall of Fame”, stated Becky Wolfe, new Chief Executive Officer of the Hunt. “He has been an integral part of the success. He’s been with us since the beginning and deserves to be recognized for his efforts.”

Following the presentation, Keck gave a touching speech from the podium that included his high regard for the hunt and the people that attend, organize and volunteer for the event. He spoke of his experiences and his belief in the future for all hunters to carry on the hunting heritage.

For Immediate Release: Friday, July 2, 2010

Contact: Cole Perryman, 202-225-2701 (office)

BOREN INTRODUCES BILL TO STUDY FIREARM MICROSTAMPING TECHNOLOGY

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Congressman Dan Boren introduced legislation this week, the Firearms Microstamping Evaluation and Study Act (H.R. 5667), to direct the U.S. Attorney General to work with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study of firearm microstamping technology and to evaluate the technology’s cost and effectiveness.

Microstamping is a patented process that uses a laser to engrave a firearm’s make, model, and serial number on the tip of the gun’s firing pin with the intention of imprinting this information on discharged cartridge cases.

“This legislation will look into important aspects of mandating this technology for law enforcement purposes.  I believe it would be counter-productive to force law enforcement agencies in municipalities and states to implement a technology that has not been clearly studied by the federal government as to its effectiveness and cost,” Boren said.

Boren’s legislation would ensure that a comprehensive study of this technology is undertaken prior to mandating its use for law enforcement purposes.  The study would examine whether the technology is a cost-effective law enforcement tool and determine if the benefits of mandating its use outweigh the cost to manufacturers, firearms owners, and state and local governments.

Boren’s bill would also require the U.S. Attorney General to submit a report to Congress that explains the study’s findings, and it would prohibit the use of federal funding for microstamping technology until that report is transmitted to Congress.

“Some advocates for the use of this technology argue that the process should be mandated by law to enhance the capability of law enforcement to identify criminals who use firearms to commit violent crimes.  The feasibility and cost of mandating the use of this technology are problematic. Recent studies have raised serious questions about its reliability as a law enforcement tool,” Boren said.

Studies conducted by the University of California at Davis and the National Academy of Sciences have concluded that more must be known about this technology before its use is required by state or federal law.

Moreover, incorporating this technology into newly produced firearms could greatly increase production costs, which would inevitably affect consumers.  According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, microstamping could increase the price per firearm by as much as $200 or more.

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On June 23rd, CSF staff organized and coordinated the presentation of the near-term priorities of the hunting and fishing community to the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. In attendance were Senators Reid, Stabenow, Tester, Tom Udall, Mark Udall, Pryor, Bennett, Hagan, Cardin, Whitehouse, Klobuchar, Ben Nelson, Begich, Shaheen, Merkley, and Warner. These priorities included the Making Public Lands Public Initiative that would direct $15 million within LWCF dedicated to access-only projects in FY2012. Congress could support our Making Public Lands Public initiative by asking the Obama Administration to include $15 million for access-only projects in the Land and Water Conservation Fund in next year’s budget (FY 2012). In addition, Pat Murray of CCA, addressed the issue of “Making Financial Assistance Immediately Available to Recreational Fishing-Dependent Businesses Impacted by the Gulf of Mexico Oil Catastrophe”.

Sen. Tom Harman, Chair of the California Legislative Outdoor Sporting Caucus, recently announced that Senate Bill 1058 has passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. SB 1058 seeks to ensure that hunting license tag and stamp funds benefit game species and their habitats. The bill is sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).

“I am extremely pleased that my colleagues in the Assembly policy committee unanimously passed this important piece of conservation legislation,” said Harman.  “I am hopeful it will make it all the way to the Governor for signature.”

Current law has allowed hunting tag funds to be used for non-game purposes. SB 1058 will protect these funds by requiring that, before any of the hunting tag monies can be expended, hunting-related organizations would have an opportunity to review proposed projects and provide comment to the Department of Fish and Game.

“SB 1058 will further two causes that I am passionate about: increased transparency in government spending and conservation of the environment,” Harman stated.

SB 1058, a reintroduction of Harman’s Senate Bill 589 last year, will now head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.  Senate Bill 1058 addresses concerns raised by the Administration last year when the Governor vetoed SB 589.

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Sportsman Channel , the cable network of InterMedia Outdoor Holdings, the largest media company dedicated to outdoorsmen, recently announced that cable television and outdoor industry veteran Gavin Harvey has been named Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Mr. Harvey will report to the InterMedia Outdoor Holdings Board of Directors and will be partnered with the CEO of InterMedia Outdoors, Inc., Jeff Paro.

MORE…Sportsman Channel Names Harvey CEO

Today, CSF and other members of the recreational fishing and boating community sent a letter to President Barack Obama and members of the U.S. House and Senate leadership, requesting immediate federal financial assistance for fishing tackle retailers, guides, charter boat operators, marina operators, fishing event and tournament organizers and related businesses in the Gulf of Mexico region.06-04-2010 Letter to President – Congress

Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL), member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and former Co-Chair, filed an amendment yesterday to the National Defense Authorization Act (PUTNAM AMENDMENT) that encourages recreational hunting and fishing on military installations.

With support from CSF, the amendment was passed today via voice vote in the U.S. House and will be attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for a vote before the full House possibly later today.