Texas Hunting Leases

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) – While recently introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate would protect sportsmen from a possible ban on traditional ammunition and fishing tackle, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced legislation squarely targeting America’s sportsmen by doing the opposite.

U.S. Representative Bobby Rush, (D- ILL), known for introducing anti-gun legislation such as H.R. 45 (Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act), has introduced new legislation that would open the door to ban all traditional ammunition.  House Resolution 5820 would amend the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) by removing the exemption included in the law for traditional ammunition.  It was that specific exemption that forced the EPA to deny the ammunition portion of a petition filed by several groups seeking to ban both traditional ammunition and fishing tackle. 

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and other groups have repeatedly pointed out that scientific evidence connecting lead ammunition to the harm of most animal populations is inconclusive.  However, there are real concerns that forcing sportsmen to purchase higher cost, non-lead ammunition will decrease the number of days spent in the field as it prices many out of the market.  In turn, this will reduce the funding available for conservation efforts, as much of those dollars are from the taxes paid by sportsmen when they purchase firearms, ammunition and other hunting equipment.

“Legislation like 5820 will only serve to reduce conservation funding at a time where every available resource is precious,” said Rob Sexton, USSA vice president for government affairs.   

Numerous organizations, such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation, have already voiced their opposition to this bill. 

Take Action! Sportsmen should contact their U.S. Representatives immediately and ask that they oppose H.R. 5820.   Tell them that a ban on traditional ammunition will hurt conservation efforts by reducing funds due to pricing sportsmen out of the market.

To find your Representative’s contact information, please visit www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.

You probably have read the emails for months now.   Something along the lines of  “Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has signed on to the UN Gun Ban Treaty and the Obama Administration is preparing to take your weapons”.  Fortunately, Mrs. Clinton has not signed such an agreement.  Yet.  According to the NRA-ILA website, “She could not have done so, in fact, because no such treaty has yet been negotiated”.   But, the drafting of the UN treaty is taking place and should be complete by 2012.  Furthermore, despite what is sure to be the Obama Administration’s best efforts, the United States Senate must ratify it before it could take effect.  Thank goodness it did not get drafted prior to this year’s Massachuesets Senate Race and hopefully by 2012 we will have a more favorable 2nd Amendment climate in Washington DC. 

Hunters should remain vigilant though.  With recent comments from such “effective” gun-controlling foreign leaders like that of Mexico,  outdoors men and women need to keep a close eye on their political representatives.  And, by all means, support the efforts of the NRA with not only your pocket book, but your word of mouth as well.

AUSTIN — Expansion of mule deer hunting opportunities tops a short list of regulatory changes adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission as part of the 2010-2011 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation.

The commission approved an open general hunting season for mule deer in Dawson and Wheeler counties, and added a day to the mule deer season across the Trans Pecos region. The change addresses a priority goal in Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Land and Water Resource Conservation and Recreation Plan to increase access to and participation in the outdoors.

The commission finalized a nine-day, buck-only season in Dawson County and a 16-day, buck-only firearm season in Wheeler County and a 35-day archery-only season to offer increased hunter opportunity without adversely impacting mule deer reproduction or distribution.

The extra day of hunting for mule deer in the Trans Pecos region is being tacked onto the front end where the season will now begin the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving and continue for 17 days.

According to TPWD wildlife biologists, mule deer populations in these counties are limited, but are present in some areas having suitable habitat and implementation of a buck-only season will not have any measurable impact on herd productivity or expansion.

The Commission also adopted changes strengthening commercial fishing reporting requirements and administrative reorganization to split the commercial and recreational hunting and fishing regulations apart, as well as a clarification of rules regarding catching and possessing fish within protected length limits or in excess of bag limits.

The Texas Outdoor Annual, a complete digest of all Texas hunting and fishing regulations, including seasons and bag limits, will be available Aug. 15, 2010 wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and on the TPWD Web site http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.