NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Two More States Ban Internet Hunting

The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses reports that California and Wisconsin have joined the growing list of states that have banned Internet hunting. Neil Kedzie, a Wisconsin state senator, said, “Hunting is a tradition of track and chase, not point and click.” NASC, composed of 24 state caucuses that have formed to protect sportsmen’s interests, continues to assist state law makers with legislation banning this Internet hunting.

Back To Hunter Safety School

In a recent column, ESPNOutdoors.com associate editor Brian Lynn heads back to hunter safety school, noting some drastic changes in the 20 years since he obtained his hunter’s certification. Lynn points out that many of these changes, including added convenience for prospective hunters, are what are needed to recruit newcomers. He points to an online hunter education course available from the International Hunter Education Association. The course was developed with $1 million sponsorship from NSSF.

Right To Keep And Bear Arms?

National Rifle Association (NRA) leader Wayne LaPierre slammed New Orleans authorities Monday for seizing legal firearms from lawful residents in violation of their Second Amendment rights. The New York Times reported last Thursday that no civilians in the city would be allowed to possess firearms, quoting the superintendent of police saying that "only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons."

Take A Kid Hunting

Billboards along Indiana’s busiest expressways are promoting Indiana’s first-ever “Take a Kid Hunting Day” Sept. 17. On that day, conservation clubs across the state will conduct hunts to give the state’s young people a chance to go afield. The event is being promoted with the help of an $18,000 NSSF Hunting Heritage Partnership grant. “Like our annual free fishing day, we’d like to see it become a day you mark on your calendar to start a young person hunting and give them the opportunity for a lifetime of enjoyment,” said Mark Reiter, public lands program manager for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

Threats To National Wildlife Refuges Identified

Very different threats to the system of refuges created and managed to protect habitat for wildlife and provide recreational opportunities have been identified. A report by the National Wildlife Refuge Association cites an urgent need to conserve buffer lands outside of refuges and tells the story of six refuges under imminent danger and six that have been rescued through creative strategies.

President Signs Transportation Bill

Following up on recent passage by the Senate, President Bush has signed a transportation bill that provides an unprecedented level of funding dedicated to better conservation of fish and wildlife and improved access to hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. The Safe, Accountable and Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users provides six years of funding more than $2 billion toward, among other goals, improving access to hunting and fishing areas by repairing and creating trails and roads.

SAAMI Granted Consultative Role To U.N.

The firearm and ammunition industry now has a seat at the world table of the United Nations. The 191-country, international relations body has granted official consultative status to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute. SAAMI, which publishes voluntary industry quality and safety standards, coordinates technical manufacturing data and promotes safe and responsible firearms use, is now a global resource for scientific facts on guns and ammunition with its new U.N. status.

Ensuring Alaskans' Right To Hunt And Fish

Governor Frank Murkowski has signed into law a bill that will protect Alaska's great heritage of hunting, fishing and trapping. According to a press release by the bill's sponsor, Mike Kelly (R-Fairbanks), the legislation will direct the commissioner of fish and game and the boards of fish and game to "adopt regulations and enforce state statutes consistent with the natural resources principals set out in the state constitution."

Intrinsic Value Of Hunting

Also on the Senate's plate this fall is Bill 1522, the Hunting Heritage Protection Act, which the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will review and which would establish federal recognition of the intrinsic value of hunting as recreation and as a wildlife management tool. Key to the bill, according to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA), is a stipulation for “no net loss of hunting” opportunities, wherein the government is directed to maintain, at the minimum, current levels of federal hunting lands to be open for sportsmen’s use.

National Championships Draw 1,500-Plus Youths

NSSF’s Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) highlighted a record-setting year last Tuesday night with the crowning of national trapshooting champions at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships in Vandalia, Ohio. A total of 1,564 youths in grades 12 and under competed at the event, surpassing last year’s field by more than 500 and producing the highest attendance in SCTP’s five-year history.