On April 2, sportsmen-friendly legislators upheld Governor Heineman’s veto of Nebraska L 671, and, in so doing, protected the future of successful science-based natural resource management, while also upholding the integrity of Nebraska’s state constitution. While Nebraska L 671 would have done nothing to help the mountain lion population or any other species of wildlife in the state, it would have undermined the future of hunting and fishing in America’s heartland.
Nebraska L 671, introduced by Senator Ernie Chambers, sought to eliminate the science-based management of mountain lions in Nebraska. Hunting and fishing have always been the preferred method of fish and wildlife management in the United States, and was overwhelmingly voted a constitutional right by Nebraskans in 2012. If allowed to stand, this bill would have set a dangerous precedent by letting the misguided, anti-hunting agendas of a few to supersede the will of the people of Nebraska, as well as the very science-based wildlife management approach that has been responsible for the restoration of mountain lions, deer, elk, turkeys and numerous other wildlife species.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
