Legislation related to hunting, firearms and ammunition and wildlife management are moving in four states. Sportsmen should call their legislators about these proposed bills.
ILLINOIS
Illinois’s House Bill 427 would allow crossbows to have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds and a maximum draw weight of at least 300 pounds. For more information on this bill please click on the following link: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=427&GAID=14&GA=100&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=99919&SessionID=91
Hearing scheduled for 2/2/17 10:30 am in the committee on rules
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut’s Senate Bill 118 would allow ammunition to be sold at gun clubs and ranges to a person without an ammunition certificate. SB 118 is in the Senate Committee Public Safety and Security. For more information on SB 118 please click on the following link: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00118&which_year=2017 Active, no hearing scheduled
MINNESOTA
Minnesota has introduced House Bill 150 which would allow scopes to be used on muzzleloader rifles during muzzleloader season. Currently, HB 150 is in the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance committee. To see more about HB 150 please click on the following link: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0150&ssn=0&y=2017 Active, no hearing scheduled
VERMONT
Vermont House Bill 31 would allow hunter using a firearm to also use a suppressor for taking game. HB 31 is currently in the Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife committee. For more information on Hb 31 please click on the following link: http://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2018/H.31 Active, no hearing scheduled
Vermont’s House Bill 60 The bill would require the Fish and Wildlife Board to recommend whether the state should adopt by rule regulations for the hunting of coyotes, including whether a closed season should be established for coyotes. HB 60 could open the door for stricter regulations on coyote hunting. Currently, the bill has not been assigned to a committee. For more information on HB 60 please click on the following link: http://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2018/H.60 Active, no hearing scheduled
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.