Benishek writes fishing & hunting bill

From Congressman Dan Benishek’s office in Washington, DC:

Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) today authored legislation that will protect the use and access for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting activities on federal lands.

“We need to ensure that our children and grandchildren are able to enjoy hunting and fishing on federal lands forever. From Ontonagon to Escanaba to Manistee, hunters and anglers have enjoyed the blessings of Northern Michigan’s great outdoors for generations. That proud tradition is important and it has to be protected,” said Dr. Benishek, a lifelong sportsman and resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Dr. Benishek’s legislation, the “Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act” would create an “open until closed” policy for sportsmen’s use of federal land and would block threats from interest groups that seek to limit hunting, fishing and shooting on America’s federal properties. The proposed legislation would limit these threats to sportsmen access by directing federal land managers at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to facilitate use and access for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting activities on federal lands.

“It’s hard for me to think of something I enjoy more than heading out from my camp in the Ottawa National Forest in October and doing some bird hunting. I want Northern Michigan’s kids to be able to grab their .410 on the weekend and head into the bush hunting just like I always have. My goal is to make that possible for future generations of sportsmen,” added Dr. Benishek.

Dr. Benishek’s new legislation is supported by sportsmen’s organizations such as Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association.