When we don’t have feathers on the brain or antlers on the brain there are a few other things we constantly think about. One of those other things is money. And it's not that we have a lot to think about either. But just a mention of money and you have Washington’s attention especially when there is $76 billion in play. A report released last week by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation stated $76 billion is the yearly amount some 34 million hunters and anglers spend on hunting and fishing. That is a hell of a lot of snelled hooks and #7 shotshells. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation teased out the data and reports that the spending for America’s hunters and anglers is greater than the revenues of Microsoft, Google, eBay and Yahoo! combined. Let that number sink in for a minute. We are a force to be reckoned with and our state’s policy makers can’t afford to not listen to our concerns. Our presence is too great to be ignored.

Posted by SwampYankee at 07:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

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The 36th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day is September 22. How do you plan on celebrating? Since its inception in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day is a reminder for Americans who have forgotten that wildlife and wild places exist only because of leadership and funding from hunters and anglers. The idea was simple. Hunters and anglers, through licenses, permits, fees and special excise taxes, pay for conservation programs that benefit the entire nation. In 2007 alone, over $615 million in these taxes were apportioned to state conservation agencies. And since the program started, it has generated more than $10 billion for fish, wildlife and habitat programs. Want a great idea on how to celebrate the day? Take your kid or grandchild fishing. Ever see a kids face the first time they catch a pumpkinseed? Or introduce your neighbors to skeet shooting so he doesn’t make you look bad when he’s mowing the grass while you’re trying to break 100.

Posted by SwampYankee at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The usual suspects—PF, QU, RGS—are supporting and encouraging the 2007 Farm Bill, which recently passed the US House of Representatives and making its way through the Senate. If you don’t think that this legislation is important, then think again. According to the RGS it is “the single most important piece of conservation legislation considered by the 110th Congress.” The Farm Bill in the past has been the largest single source of federal funds to enhance fish and wildlife habitats on private lands. If you’d like to help, write, phone or email your congessman and urge them to support the Farm Bill.

Posted by SwampYankee at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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At the 13th Annual Congressional Shoot-Out Democrats bested Republicans on the trap, skeet and sporting clays ranges. The event was organized by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK) won the event. Does mean we're going to have blue and red shot shell states? Throughout each Congressional session, members of the Caucus The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus put aside bipartisanship to focus on Endangered Species Act reform, conservation taxes, and the Farm Bill reauthorization. These straight shooters in Washington work together to promote legislation to protect and to improve our hunting, shooting and fishing heritage. Let the Cheney jokes begin.

Posted by ras400 at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Ah, bipartisan support for America's wildlife. Sigh. Teddy Roosevelt is shedding a tear of happiness as 162 Representatives and 60 Senators sang Kumbaya and signed a letter urging an increase in funding for the federal State Wildlife Grants, which is the core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered in every state. The letter supports funding of $85 million for the State Wildlife Grants Program in Fiscal Year 2008. What to know who in your state signed the letter? Go to the Teaming For Wildlife website and find out. And remember your vote next year counts.

Posted by ras400 at 06:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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