Importantly, after tireless advocacy by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, its members and affiliates, and strong Congressional leadership, anti-hunting language that was amended into the House Farm Bill was previously removed and is absent from the Senate draft. That language, put forth by animal rights groups, would have banned certain types of hounds and sporting dogs from hunting, as well as the use of “live lures” for training or field trials.
“We’re incredibly thankful that Chairman Boozman has put forth a Senate Farm Bill clean of anti-hunting and anti-sporting dog language,” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Putting together a draft Farm Bill is no easy feat, and the Senate version shows thoughtfulness and an eye towards conservation, sportsmen, and our pursuits. We’re looking forward to working with the Chairman, the Committee, and the Senate, as a whole, to pass a clean, impactful Farm Bill.”
Farm Bill passage is never easy, but it is vital. The Farm Bill positively impacts countless wildlife species, hunting access, and American families, and the Sportsmen’s Alliance applauds its introduction in the Senate. The Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation considered by the U.S. Congress. It contains funding and sets policy on items ranging from conservation programs valued by American sportsmen to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits that help feed low-income families. The Conservation Title of the bill outlines and funds numerous programs that benefit sportsmen and wildlife, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Improvement Program (VPA-HIP), which create valuable wildlife habitat and provide public hunting access.
The Senate will adopt and pass some variant of the introduced draft, and then leadership in both the House and Senate will reconcile each chamber’s version to pass a final, unified Farm Bill. The Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to work with both chambers to ensure that the passage of a much-needed Farm Bill does not include anti-hunting language.
To help ensure a clean farm bill, contact your Senator urging him/her to support a Senate Farm Bill that remains clean of anti-hunting and anti-sporting dog language.
As sportsmen, we are the true frontline guardians of a lifestyle that is increasingly coming under political fire. While we are actively funding conservation and managing the land, anti-sportsmen groups are busy filling public hearings to erase our way of life. The threats we face today are unprecedented. It is time for our community to stand together, match their energy, and fiercely protect our right to hunt, fish, and trap. This is how we ensure the legacy we inherited is preserved for our kids, grandkids, and generations to come.
Please forward this alert to your family, friends, and fellow hunters. Urge them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance to help protect, defend, and secure our outdoor freedoms for our future and future generations across our great nation.