DSC is strongly urging the passage of sportsmen’s legislation priorities before the end of the 114th Congress. We are asking members to contact their representatives and Senators TODAY by phone or email. Next week is the Thanksgiving break, and after that, the Congressional staff will be wrapping things up for the last hectic days of this Congress.
- Consult this link to verify your district.
- Call the local office in your district, but a second call to the D.C. office is also beneficial.
- When you call, be polite of course and ask for a staff assistant. Typically, interns answer the phones so asking for a permanent staffer is a good idea. If no one is available, or you receive a voice mailbox, it is always best to give them your full name and address so they know you are part of their district. Leave a phone number if you would like a call back.
- Similarly, with emails, give your full name and address/zip code. You might visit their webpage and use their “Contact us” link.
- S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov/index.htm
- S. House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/
- Find your representative here.
- In your own words, express your insistence that Congress take action that will move the sportsmen’s legislation forward. Explain that you are concerned this legislation will slip through the cracks at the end of this Congress, and it is important to follow through on all the hard work and promises made to this point. The background information below might help you understand what is at stake.
- If you cannot make contact today, calling the offices, emailing or even faxing your concerns between now and November 28 will not go unnoticed.
THANK YOU to those who will join voices with other sportsmen and women to fight for hunting.
Background from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation:
On October 5, thirty-four of the nation’s leading hunting, angling and conservation organizations sent a letter to Senate and House Energy bill (S. 2012) conferees in strong support of including important provisions from the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act (S. 405) and Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act (H.R. 2406) in final conferenced energy legislation. The 47 bipartisan conferees from the Senate and House include 34 members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC).
- 405, introduced by CSC Members Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK), Martin Heinrich (NM), and Senate CSC leadership, expands access to and opportunities for hunting and angling and promotes wildlife and habitat conservation. On April 20, the Senate adopted many of the provisions within the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act with a vote of 97 – 0 under the Natural Resources Title of the Energy Policy Modernization Act (S. 2012). The House followed suit by adding its version of comprehensive sportsmen’s legislation, H.R. 2406, to S. 2012.
The SHARE Act, introduced by the bipartisan House CSC leadership, includes provisions such as: the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act; the Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act; Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act; the Farmer and Hunter Protection Act; the permanent creation of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee; and the Preserving Public Access to Public Water Act, among others.
The inclusion of these provisions in the final conferenced energy legislation between the House and Senate Committees, and ultimately signing them into law, is crucial to the traditions of sportsmen and women across the country as well as fish and wildlife conservation for the future.
The 34 non-governmental organizations who endorsed this legislation package are:
American Sportfishing Association
Archery Trade Association
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Boone and Crockett Club
Camp Fire Club of America
Catch-A-Dream Foundation
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports
Dallas Safari Club
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Ducks Unlimited
Houston Safari Club
Izaak Walton League of America
Masters of Foxhounds Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Wild Turkey Federation
National Wildlife Federation
North American Grouse Partnership
Orion – the hunters institute
Pheasants Forever
Quail Forever
Quality Deer Management Association
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Ruffed Grouse Society
Safari Club International
Shimano American Corporation
Sportsmen’s Alliance
Texas Wildlife Association
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Tread Lightly! Wild Sheep Foundation
Wildlife Management Institute
Wildlife Mississippi
