Landmark Federal legislation was introduced today to protect hunting on the nation's federal public lands.
The Hunting Heritage Protection Act, sponsored by Reps. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Chip Pickering (R-MS), Mark Green (R-WI) and Don Young (R-AK), will establish federal recognition of the intrinsic value of hunting as recreation and as a wildlife management tool.
A coalition of nearly 70 state and national conservation organizations, led by the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America (WLFA), worked for introduction of this legislation.
"Specifically, the Act establishes in law Congress' recognition of the significant role that hunter's play in conservation," said Bud Pidgeon, WLFA president. "This law will direct federal agencies to support, promote and enhance recreational hunting opportunities."
Pidgeon said that a key element of the Hunting Heritage Protection Act is a stipulation for "No Net Loss of Hunting" opportunities. Under this provision, the government is directed to maintain, at the minimum, current levels of federal hunting lands to be open for sportsmen's use.
If Congress or future administrations attempt to establish federal lands that would close out hunters, the same amount of land would be re-designated or newly established to provide equal hunting opportunities.
A hearing on the bill has been scheduled before the House Resources Committee for the Act on July 20, 2000.