Bill aims to improve federal land access for hunters

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation Thursday with various provisions meant to improve outdoor recreation for hunters, fishers and other sportsmen.

The bill would increase access to public lands, reauthorize various conservation programs and loosen rules on filming, bird hunting and lead ammunition, among other actions, according to its sponsors.

{mosads}“The bipartisan legislation we introduced today will help ensure that our grandchildren have the same opportunities to hunt and fish as we did growing up,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the bill’s lead sponsor and chairwoman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement.

“The number one issue for sportsmen and women across the country is access,” Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the other top sponsor, said in the statement.

“This widely supported, bipartisan bill will open more areas to hunting and fishing and grow America’s thriving outdoor recreation economy.”

The bill is the latest iteration of bipartisan attempts to improve access for sportsmen to public land. Last year’s attempt at the bill failed amid fights over gun-related provisions.

Like previous versions, the 2015 bill has support from conservation and hunting groups.

“America’s sportsmen are frankly gratified by the enthusiasm shown by the sponsors of this legislation for addressing our community’s priority issues,” Whit Fosburgh, president of the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said in a statement.

“Hunting and angling in the United States depend on the conservation of important fish and wildlife habitat and ample opportunities for the public to access that habitat,” he said. “This bill would realize both of those objectives while also ensuring strong, reliable authorization for key management programs.

The National Wildlife Federation said it supports the bill, but wants more conservation measures put into it.

“This is a strong start, and we encourage Senate and House colleagues to work together to strengthen its conservation provisions and advance the bill to the president’s desk,” said Collin O’Mara, the group’s president.