Your Senator–Where’s the Vote?
In a potentially disturbing turn for outdoor enthusiasts nationwide, Cass Sunstein was last week appointed Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget.
Several outdoor organizations–National Shooting Sports Foundation and U.S Sportsmen’s Alliance, in particular–tried to get the warning out and stop the confirmation. Here was the case against Sunstien:
“In that position, Sunstein would be the connection point between the White House and regulations from Departments of Interior, Agriculture, the FBI and BATFE. Sunstein’s appointment has been vigorously opposed by Senators who feel Sunstein’s extensive written and spoken anti-hunting and anti-Second Amendment positions make him unfit for the position. However, it seems Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a vote of cloture – a procedural move to force a vote on an appointment. Having written that he believes the Second Amendment does not guarantee an individual right, the application of state animal cruelty laws to hunting and livestock, a number of outdoor and pro-firearms groups are encouraging hunters and firearms rights supporters contact their Senators this morning to express their opposition to Sunstein.”
While the voting is finished, there’s still time to express displeasure or congratulations to your Senator for voting “Nay” or “Yea” on this vote. As mid-term elections approach, anglers and hunters must let them know that we are watching!
Even more important, as Jim Shepherd wrote last week in his excellent feature in “The Outdoor Wire“, 22 of the so-called angling and hunting supporters on the Sportsmen’s Congressional Caucus have told the outdoor industry one thing, but then voted something else. Read Jim’s spot-on words here (bottom of page, in “Feature” section).
Now, go here to see the list . After you send your Senator a note, please make sure that you pass along the link and message to your list of outdoor enthusiasts. Ask them to spread the word, too!
Did you know? Nearly 8 in 10 Americans approve of hunting, and more than 9 in 10 approve of fishing.
"Viewed in the context of a recession and other modern headlines, our sporting traditions look even better today,” said Denise Wagner of Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo., the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF), which will be… 
Kirk Deeter, Editor of Angling Trade magazine, notes in his and Tim Romano's FLY TALK blog...
"The 2009 FlyFishing Retailer Expo (FFR) wrapped up just two days ago. Although this year's show floor was smaller in size than previous years, the excitement and intensity of the show was just as strong as ever - maybe even more so given our current economy… 
Since 1984, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and its partners have completed more than 350 conservation projects in California with a value of more than $20.5 million. Now, eight counties in California are slated for wildlife habitat conservation projects using $227,571 in new grants from the RMEF.
“We’re changing the competition from distance to accuracy, but the actual contest will have a familiar feel,” said ISE’s casting coordinator Bruce Tarbet. “We want the Best of the West to be… 
ISE and WFN will promote each other on-air, online and at ISE events....
