Pulse: Americans Support the Advancement of the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 in Senate

According to the December LANDTHINK Pulse results, 60.4% of respondents indicated that they support the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015. The act is comprehensive, and just like previous versions of the legislation, it includes provisions to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, shooting and fishing as well as facilitate increased access to public land for recreational purposes. The bill also improves fish and wildlife management, increases funds for conservation efforts, and would permit law-abiding gun owners more access to carry firearms on land managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the bill last February, along with Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Last November, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 advanced the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with nearly unanimous support.

Last month, the December Pulse asked: Do you support the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, which revises a variety of existing programs to expand opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting?

While support of the bill varied among the LANDTHINK audience, our informal online survey revealed that 60.4% of those responding said “YES”, they do support the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015. A strong 22.1% indicated they support parts of the legislation, but not the bill in its entirety. Only 17.4% of our audience answered “NO” they do not support the legislation. The bill includes many of the provisions included in last year’s bill, with the addition of a few new ones. Many people feel the bill is crucial piece of legislation, that supports sportsmen and women who enjoy the simple pleasures of the outdoors. Participation in outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and target practice/marksmanship continues to grow in popularity, as more people grow to enjoy and appreciate spending time outdoors with their friends and family.

Here are the final results:

• 60.4% said YES, they support the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015
• 22.1% said they support parts of the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015
• 17.4% said they NO, they DO NOT support the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015

Opposition to the bill has centered mainly around a couple of key provisions and has mostly come from conservationist groups, anti-hunters and animal rights organizations. Sec. 101, the provision that would take away the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate lead or other toxic substances in ammunition and fishing equipment has caused an uproar, as well as Sec. 103, the provision that would allow 41 individuals, who hunted polar bears in Canada for sport between January 2007 and May 2008, to import those trophies.

The complete text of the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 is available at CONGRESS.GOV.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared the Pulse with friends and connections in the land industry.

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