Let’s Charge Deer Hunters For Deer/Vehicle Collisions

The latest recipient of the Black Bear Blog’s horse excrement award goes to Rep. John Quinn and Rep. David Pearce both of Minnesota. Quinn is the sponsor and Pearce the co-sponsor of HB2498, a bill that would pay anyone involved in an accident with a deer, the first $250 in damages. And, that money would come from the Department of Conservation. For those who might not quite understand what the Department of Conservation is, in your state it may be called the Department of Natural Resources or Department of Fish and Game, etc. Whatever it’s called, it appears these two guys want sportsmen to pay for deer accidents. Read more

For Sportsmen, Clean Water Restoration Act Goes Too Far

Peyton Knight of the National Center for Public Policy Research is warning sportsmen that the proposed Clean Water Restoration Act sponsored by Representative James Oberstar (D-MN), “would do more to threaten the cherished pastimes of hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts than it would to ensure the cleanliness of our nation’s water.”

I’ve written a couple times over the past few months about the CWRA (here and here) but Knight brings to the attention of American sportsmen what could await us should this act be approved. Read more

Revamping Deer Hunting Seasons Or Catering To Special Interests

It seems everyday I learn of another bunch of unhappy deer hunters griping and complaining about them not getting the same “fair” opportunity as the next guy. Will it ever end? Nah! I don’t think it is something human nature can rise above, at least not on a regular basis.

Remember back to the days of Little League baseball? Having spent many of my earlier years coaching, organizing the local leagues and even a stint as county Little League baseball commissioner, dealing with the kids was a cake walk. The same could not be said for the parents. Sometimes I think the authorities at each state’s fish and game department wake up some mornings and think to themselves, “Ah, Geez! I got to go to work today and listen to another unhappy deer hunter who knows more about how to put all this information together and come up with a deer hunting season that keeps everyone happy - including the deer.” Read more

Pittman-Robertson Act Provides Funds For Hunter Safety

On Monday of this week I reported that eight states (Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio) were going to request grant monies available through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, also known as Pittman-Robertson, in order to conduct studies on tree stand safety. The article I wrote generated some discussion and comments, one coming from reader MadJack.

Yes the P/R Act was to improve hunting & wildlife habitat, NOT to WASTE in an attempt to control hunters & how they hunt! I believe this would be a direct violation of the Pitman Robertson Act as well as very unlawful.

More Government waste!

While I tend to agree with MadJack, I wasn’t aware that revenues generated through PR were used via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fund programs for hunter safety and education. According to PR Act Title 16, Chapter 5B, section 669h, $8 million will be apportioned back to each state for certain hunter safety programs.

Of the revenues covered into the fund, $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002, and $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be apportioned among the States in the manner specified in section 669c(c) \1\ of this title by the Secretary of the Interior and used to make grants to the States to be used for–

(A) in the case of a State that has not used all of the funds apportioned to the State under section 669c(c) \1\ of this title for the fiscal year in the manner described in section 669g(b) of this title–
(i) the enhancement of hunter education programs, hunter and sporting firearm safety programs, and hunter development programs;
(ii) the enhancement of interstate coordination and development of hunter education and shooting range programs;
(iii) the enhancement of bow hunter and archery education, safety, and development programs; and
(iv) the enhancement of construction or development of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges, and the updating of safety features of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges; and

(B) in the case of a State that has used all of the funds apportioned to the State under section 669c(c) \1\ of this title for the fiscal year in the manner described in section 669g(b) of this title, any use authorized by this chapter (including hunter safety programs and the construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges).

An act that was originally designed for the protection of wildlife and habitat, it has been amended many times in order that these funds can be used for other programs not directly related to it original purpose. As I understand the Act, monies are apportioned back to each state for the specific purposes described concerning hunter safety and education programs. If that money has been used up, USFWS grants additional monies collected via PR for further hunter education and safety programs.

Tom Remington

Missouri Finishes Safest November Deer Hunt On Record

While Missouri hunters fell short of setting any records of number of deer harvested this November, they did set an all-time record of it being the safest. Only 3 accidents were reported and none were fatal. When you consider the number of hunters taking to the woods for the 11 days of the November hunt, this is a remarkable accomplishment.

Hunters took 214,494 deer, which is down from last year’s record season of 235,409. Congratulations to Missouri deer hunters for making this a record safe hunting season.

Tom Remington

Snake-Hunting Dogs

Read a few light stories about dogs that like to hunt snakes, along with other dog tales and snake tales.

Tom Remington

Missouri Bill Would Allow Tracking Wounded Deer With Dog

Rep. Terry Young introduced a bill to the Missouri legislature that would provide for hunters to track wounded deer with dogs.

Read more about it here at the Belleville News Democrat.

Tom Remington