02.05.14

Hoeven Cosponsors Bipartisan Senate Sportsmen's Act to Support North Dakota Hunting, Fishing, Outdoor Recreation

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week joined Senators Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in introducing the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, a comprehensive Senate sportsmen’s bill that enhances opportunities for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation; improves access to federal lands and helps to boost the outdoor recreation economy.

“As an avid sportsman, I understand and share my fellow North Dakotans love for traditions like hunting and fishing,” said Hoeven. “Through sound management and increased access, this legislation will help protect and enhance our nation’s rich outdoor heritage for current and future generations.”

The legislation includes the:

  • Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act which requires federal land managers to consider how management plans affect opportunities to engage in hunting, fishing and recreational shooting. The bill also requires the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to keep their lands open to hunting, recreational fishing and shooting, and facilitate the use of and access to federal public lands and waters for these activities.
  • The Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act which helps states build and maintain shooting ranges on federal and non-federal lands.
  • The Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Protection Act which exempts lead fishing tackle and bullets from being regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act, leaving the existing authority to state fish and game agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • The Permanent Duck Stamp Act which allows states to issue electronic duck stamps that enable hunters to participate in duck season while waiting for the physical stamp to arrive in the mail.

The bill was introduced yesterday by Murkowski and Hagan and is cosponsored by Senators Hoeven, Mark Begich (D-Alaska), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and David Vitter (R-La.).

The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014 is supported by groups including: the American Sportfishing Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Federation, Duck’s Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited and the US Sportsmen’s Alliance

Senator Hoeven serves on the U.S. Senate Committee of Energy and Natural Resources and is also a member of the Congressional Sporstmen’s Caucus.