Bill To Protect Public Hunting Land Moves Forward In Sunshine State
Sign In SHOPPING CART:0 ITEMSTOTAL: $0.00View Cart

Helping You Get the Most From Your Hunting Dogs


Bill To Protect Public Hunting Land Moves Forward In Sunshine State





A Florida bill to ensure the protection of hunting on state land has advanced through its house committee.

On Feb. 23, the House Water and Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed HB 265, the Hunting Heritage Protection Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Donald Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, directs the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to prevent the loss of available state hunting land. The ‘no net loss’ directive requires the state to open compensatory huntable land if an area is closed to the sport.

The USSA informed Florida hunters about HB 265, and its companion SB 430, via the On Target e-mail newsletter when it was introduced in 2005. Sportsmen in the state have been encouraged to contact state lawmakers in support of the bill so that Florida may join Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland as a place where state land will remain open to hunting.

Companion SB 430, introduced by Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River, awaits debate in the Senate Environmental Preservation Committee.

Take Action! Florida sportsmen should ask their state representatives to support HB 265. Explain that protecting hunting lands is in the best interest of the state’s wildlife resources. To contact Florida representatives, call (850) 488-1157 or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.

We want your input: