By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director On February 19, the Georgia sportsmen’s community and numerous legislative and administrative officials gathered at the Georgia State Capitol for the 17th Annual “Keeping Georgia Wild” Day. This annual event, previously known as Sportsmen’s and Coastal Day at the Capitol, provides a venue for elected officials to hear from…
By Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator Recently, HB 28, An Act to Allow the Use of Crossbows During the Archery Season on Deer, was reconsidered by Maine’s Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Although the bill had previously received an unfavorable report, upon receiving additional information, several Committee members altered their position and…
By Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator On February 27, the Joint Committee of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife voted to postpone taking any legislative action regarding SB 208, An Act to Require Biodegradable Hooks and Lures for Freshwater Fishing. Any decision will be postponed until the 2020 legislative session. During the public hearing Fisheries Division…
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On February 28, the Oregon Senate Committee on Judiciary held a hearing on a bill that, as amended, would ban individuals from participating in, hosting, or sponsoring coyote hunting contests in the state. The bill, Senate Bill 723, if passed with the proposed amendments, would prohibit any person,…
By Chris Horton, Midwestern States Senior Director and Fisheries Earlier this month, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) released a series of proposed regulatory changes for freshwater fisheries in the state. The proposed changes include modifications to the length limits and harvest regulations for largemouth bass, Alabama bass and alligator gar in certain areas….
By Jeff Crane, President This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will take up both the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 1112). Both bills would have impacts on sportsmen and women and will likely result in firearms sales being curtailed among this responsible,…