Why It Matters: Predator hunting tournament bans are often the tip of spear for anti-hunting interests to try to gain a foothold in their efforts to curb legal, regulated hunting. To date, eight states have banned hunting tournaments, and it is important for the hunting conservation community to work together to fight back against legislation touted by …
Virginia Predator Contest Bill Defeated in Committee Read More »
Why It Matters: Despite the importance of young forests to a variety of wildlife species, young forests and other early successional habitats comprise less than 1% of the George Washington National Forest. Implementation of the Archer Knob Project is critical to reversing the habitat loss and declines in wildlife, including species pursued by Virginia’s hunters …
Why It Matters: Early successional habitats are lacking on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and the scarcity of these critical habitats for wildlife negatively impacts hunting traditions as game populations have declined because of reduced active forest management treatments. Supporting these projects is important for creating habitat that supports game and nongame wildlife and …
Public Comment Period Open for Two U.S. Forest Service Habitat Projects in Virginia Read More »
Why It Matters: Governor Youngkin’s membership in the GSC expands the network of pro-sportsmen elected officials in Virginia, including members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, who are committed to advancing and protecting outdoor sporting traditions in the Commonwealth. Highlights: On September 23, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin became the newest …
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Joins the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Read More »
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Director Why It Matters: Sunday hunting restrictions are Blue Laws with no basis in wildlife management that restrict only one user-group, hunters, from accessing public lands on Sundays. Repealing Sunday hunting restrictions has been a top priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the Sunday Hunting Coalition, and in-state partners, …
Sunday Hunting – Finally A Reality for Virginia’s Hunters Read More »
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Director Why It Matters: The passage of the Sunday hunting legislation is a huge win for the Virginia sportsmen’s community, working with the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, to provide seven-day access on more than 2 million acres of public land. The defeat of the anti-trapping bills and the predator hunting …
Looking Back on a Busy Legislative Session for Sportsmen’s Issues Read More »
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Why It Matters: Senate Bill 8 is the fourth public lands Sunday hunting bill introduced in three years. The legislation passed the Senate 29-11 on January 24, and the Committee and House of Delegates were the final hurdles before the bill could be sent to the Governor’s desk. …
Virginia Public Lands Sunday Hunting Headed to the Governor’s Desk Read More »
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Why it Matters: After public lands Sunday hunting legislation died in committee the last two years, Senate passage of SB 8 signals the winds of change may be coming for sportsmen and women wishing to hunt public lands on Sundays. SB 8, patroned by Senator Chap Petersen, would …
Virginia Public Lands Sunday Hunting Legislation on the Move Read More »
Introduction Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of the puritanical blue laws that were initially designed to encourage church attendance. At the time when these restrictions were first put in place, other activities that were illegal on a Sunday included opening a store for business, drinking alcoholic beverages, and tilling your fields. Today, …
Summary Recent advances in technology, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), which can assist in the tracking and taking of game, have posed an ethical debate within the hunting community. Legislators and sportsmen should be mindful of Fair Chase issues and, on a state-by-state basis, determine if legislation is warranted to ensure hunting is practiced …
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