01-28-2007, 10:10 PM
Group Becomes 32nd State Legislature to Organize Hunting and Angling Caucus
Helena, Montana State legislators formally created the Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus today, becoming the 32nd in a national network of state legislative sportsmen's caucuses focused on promoting a pro-sportsmen's agenda in the halls of state government. The Caucus will serve as an identified group of allies willing to stand up for the rights of sportsmen when pertinent legislation is introduced. Members of this Caucus can be counted on to be proactive in protecting the outdoor heritage important to Montana's residents and economy.
"The Sportsmen's Caucus is an important step to building coalitions, strengthening opportunities and finding new solutions to enhance outdoor activities throughout Montana," commented Representative Robin Hamilton (D-Missoula), House Co-Chair of the Caucus.
The group of 33 legislators met on Wednesday, having recently elected a bipartisan leadership team. Senators Lane Larson (D-Billings) and Joe Balyeat (R-Bozeman) will serve as Senate Co-Chairs while Representatives Hamilton, Chas Vincent (R-Libby), Mark Blasdel (R-Somers) and Kendall Van Dyk (D-Billings) will lead in the House of Representatives.
"We all want to preserve Montana's hunting and fishing heritage. The Sportsmen's Caucus will serve to unite legislators and outdoor interests in order to guide policy decisions so these treasures may be enjoyed by future generations of Montanans," said Representative Van Dyk.
Big Sky Country's natural resources offer an abundance of recreational opportunity, and the state has more than 460,000 hunters and anglers who spend over $593 million annually pursuing outdoor activities. More decisions are now made at the state level that impact wildlife management and access to public lands. In 2006, approximately 3,000 bills with authority over hunting, fishing, trapping, sportsmen's access and conservation were introduced in state legislatures across the country. Having a recognized group of legislators who are focused on these issues and their subsequent economic impact is cause for Montana's sportsmen and women to celebrate.
"As a sponsor of Montana's hunting and fishing heritage amendment, I have always been very concerned about these issues. Recently, one worry has been the partisan breakdown on sportsmen's issues which should be non-partisan, but I believe the Sportsmen's Caucus can be a remedy to the problem," noted Senator Balyeat.
The Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus is modeled after the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus in the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC, of which Senator Max Baucus serves as Senate Co-Chair and Representative Dennis Rehberg is a member.
Through the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, sportsmen legislators and the network of conservation partners, caucuses are given information and tools to promote the sportsmen's agenda. Legislative summaries provided by NASC have helped more than a dozen states with sportsmen's caucuses decide to pass bans on hunting via the internet and many more caucuses create new youth and apprentice hunting opportunities. Additionally, state legislatures have utilized NASC legislative resources to promote bills that cover topics such as encouraging the expansion of options for voter registration of sportsmen and preserving access to public hunting lands with "no net loss" bills that maintain a minimum number of available acres for hunting.
About NASC: Launched in December 2004, the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses is the network of state legislative sportsmen's caucuses. The NASC assists in the formation of new sportsmen's caucuses and provides the venue for focused interaction and idea exchange among state caucus leaders, sportsmen's groups, industry, media and other potential partners. For additional information, visit the NASC website at www.statesportsmenslink.org www.statesportsmenslink.org/ or call 202-543-6907.
Media Contact:
Christie Caywood<br />
202-543-6850 x19
Helena, Montana State legislators formally created the Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus today, becoming the 32nd in a national network of state legislative sportsmen's caucuses focused on promoting a pro-sportsmen's agenda in the halls of state government. The Caucus will serve as an identified group of allies willing to stand up for the rights of sportsmen when pertinent legislation is introduced. Members of this Caucus can be counted on to be proactive in protecting the outdoor heritage important to Montana's residents and economy.
"The Sportsmen's Caucus is an important step to building coalitions, strengthening opportunities and finding new solutions to enhance outdoor activities throughout Montana," commented Representative Robin Hamilton (D-Missoula), House Co-Chair of the Caucus.
The group of 33 legislators met on Wednesday, having recently elected a bipartisan leadership team. Senators Lane Larson (D-Billings) and Joe Balyeat (R-Bozeman) will serve as Senate Co-Chairs while Representatives Hamilton, Chas Vincent (R-Libby), Mark Blasdel (R-Somers) and Kendall Van Dyk (D-Billings) will lead in the House of Representatives.
"We all want to preserve Montana's hunting and fishing heritage. The Sportsmen's Caucus will serve to unite legislators and outdoor interests in order to guide policy decisions so these treasures may be enjoyed by future generations of Montanans," said Representative Van Dyk.
Big Sky Country's natural resources offer an abundance of recreational opportunity, and the state has more than 460,000 hunters and anglers who spend over $593 million annually pursuing outdoor activities. More decisions are now made at the state level that impact wildlife management and access to public lands. In 2006, approximately 3,000 bills with authority over hunting, fishing, trapping, sportsmen's access and conservation were introduced in state legislatures across the country. Having a recognized group of legislators who are focused on these issues and their subsequent economic impact is cause for Montana's sportsmen and women to celebrate.
"As a sponsor of Montana's hunting and fishing heritage amendment, I have always been very concerned about these issues. Recently, one worry has been the partisan breakdown on sportsmen's issues which should be non-partisan, but I believe the Sportsmen's Caucus can be a remedy to the problem," noted Senator Balyeat.
The Montana Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus is modeled after the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus in the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC, of which Senator Max Baucus serves as Senate Co-Chair and Representative Dennis Rehberg is a member.
Through the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, sportsmen legislators and the network of conservation partners, caucuses are given information and tools to promote the sportsmen's agenda. Legislative summaries provided by NASC have helped more than a dozen states with sportsmen's caucuses decide to pass bans on hunting via the internet and many more caucuses create new youth and apprentice hunting opportunities. Additionally, state legislatures have utilized NASC legislative resources to promote bills that cover topics such as encouraging the expansion of options for voter registration of sportsmen and preserving access to public hunting lands with "no net loss" bills that maintain a minimum number of available acres for hunting.
About NASC: Launched in December 2004, the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses is the network of state legislative sportsmen's caucuses. The NASC assists in the formation of new sportsmen's caucuses and provides the venue for focused interaction and idea exchange among state caucus leaders, sportsmen's groups, industry, media and other potential partners. For additional information, visit the NASC website at www.statesportsmenslink.org www.statesportsmenslink.org/ or call 202-543-6907.
Media Contact:
Christie Caywood<br />
202-543-6850 x19