I have the privilege of working as the web master for the Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida, Inc. (ASAF).  According to Executive Director Lane Stephens, ASAF was formed to represent the collective voice of Florida's sporting organizations and to serve as a link to the Florida Legislators' Sportsmen's Caucus. ASAF works with the Sportsmen's Caucus and exposes members of the Florida Legislature to what we do, to help legislators understand the sporting life and our issues, and to gain the acceptance of legislators for the conservation ethics and commitment to Florida’s natural resources that sportsmen embody. ASAF also works closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Members of ASAF include: The Florida State Chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation, The Florida Dog Hunters and Sportsmen's Associations, The Everglades Coordinating Council, SCI, Tampa Bay Chapter, Tall Timbers Research Station, United Waterfowlers - Florida, Inc., SCI, North Florida Chapter and SCI, South Florida Chapter.

I have learned so much as the ASAF web master in just the 12 months I have been involved with this group. As I post articles and press releases written by Mr. Stephens, I have the chance to read and learn about the things that are going on here in the state of Florida. Behind the scenes, individuals and organizations are fighting for our rights as hunters and outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen.

The 60-day 2006 Florida Legislative Regular Session has recently come to a close. There were a number of issues affecting hunters in Florida. Mr. Stephens summarized the legislation and provided me with links to the bills and asked me to post them to the ASAF web site, which I did. I have decided to share some of his updates with you. I hope you are as amazed, interested and thankful as I am – to know that someone is looking out for our best interests. We know these wonderful things are happening in Florida – I urge you to find out what your state is doing to protect your rights where you live.

This information, though summarized and not in its entirety, is taken verbatim from the ASAF website.

No Net Loss of Hunting Lands HB 265 by Rep. Don Brown and SB 430 by Senator Nancy Argenziano

Summary: This legislation requires certain lands owned, managed or leased by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to be used for the purpose of hunting. It establishes a benchmark to determine how much public land is currently hunted in the state and provides that the FWCC shall ensure that hunting land acreage will not be reduced below the acreage in place at the time this legislation takes affect. The legislation also requires all state agencies and water management districts to report an inventory of all lands owned by such agencies, to disclose which lands are hunted and which lands are not hunted.

Outcome: The no-net-loss of hunting lands legislation, which is part of a model legislation package being offered up by the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, was adopted. In Florida, Marion Hammer, the NRA/United Sportsmen of Florida leader, took this proposal under her wings and championed this legislation through the process. She also led the efforts to reach a compromise when some of the environmentalist groups and DEP balked about state parks being included.

Link to House Bill 265
Link to Senate Bill 430

Sportsmen's Voter Registration HB 125 by Rep. Greg Evers and SB 208 by Senator Carey Baker

Summary: Provides that agents or subagents of the state that sell hunting and fishing licenses to also offer voter registration information to persons buying hunting and fishing licenses.

Outcome: Another piece of NASC model legislation that was picked up and promoted by the NRA was the sportsmen's voter registration bill. This bill, which will require businesses that selling hunting and fishing licenses to offer voter registration cards to purchasers, was also adopted.

Link to HB 125
Link to SB 208

Restricted Hunting License HB 471 by Rep. Baxter Troutman and SBs 1726 and 2202 by Sen. Carey Baker

Summary: Authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue a restricted hunting license that will allow an individual to hunt for up to 12 months without having to take the hunter safety course. The person receiving the restricted license must be accompanied by an adult hunter who is properly licensed and who has completed the hunter safety course or was exempt from having to take the course due to age.

Outcome: The legislation filed by Sportsmen’s Caucus Leader Baxter Troutman passed. It will allow new hunters the opportunity to hunt, for up to 12 months, without having to take the hunter safety course. During that time, they must hunt with an adult hunter who has complied with the hunter safety requirements.

Link to HB 471
Link to SB 1726
Link to SB 2202

Please visit the ASAF website at http://www.alliedsportsmen.org, the Florida Senate website at http://www.flsenate.gov, and the Florida House website at http://www.myfloridahouse.gov.