On February 1, the Oregon State Legislature convened for the state’s 79th Annual Legislative Assembly. Among the bills introduced leading up to the start of the 2017 legislative session were a number of proposals meant to improve opportunities for Oregon’s hunters and anglers, including measures to expand hound hunting opportunities, create an adult mentored hunting program, and clarify when access to state lands can be closed by a state agency.
Below are summaries of several bills that the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) will be tracking during the 2017 session. In addition, follow CSF’s Tracking the Capitols for updates on sportsmen-related legislation in Oregon.
Oregon H 2030 – Introduced by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Rep. Brian Clem, this would “…prohibit a state agency from restricting or closing access to state lands used for hunting until the state agency has notified the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department has posted notice of such restriction or closure for at least 30 days on the department’s website.”
Oregon H 2376 – Introduced by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Rep. Greg Smith, this would “Require the Governor to certify to the United States Secretary of Commerce that the terms of a National Marine Sanctuary located within the seaward boundary of Oregon are unacceptable unless the Legislative Assembly confirms such designation.”
Oregon H 2566 – Introduced by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Brad Witt, this would “Authorize the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt an adult hunter mentoring program.”
Oregon H 2589 – Introduced by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Rep. Sherrie Sprenger, this would “Provide that a county is exempt from the applicability of the Oregon state statute banning the use of dogs to hunt or pursue cougars if voters approve a county measure proposed by initiative petition or referred to the people by the governing body of a county.”
Oregon S 458 – Introduced by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Sen. Chuck Thomsen, this would “Require that the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopt a controlled hunt program for hunting cougars with dogs.”
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?
