Boone and Crockett Press Release today

[Ben Lamb]

Media Advisory and Invitation


Sen. Jon Tester to be honored in Missoula by Boone and Crockett Club



WHAT: Tester will be recognized by the Boone and Crockett Club for his work to improve access for hunters nationwide. Club president emeritus Lowell E. Baier will present a plaque and remarks.

Rarely in the Club’s 123-year history has Boone and Crockett formally honored an individual outside the Club for efforts to improve America’s hunting heritage or wildlife conservation. But Club officials say Tester stands out among his peers for his persistent and remarkable work on behalf of sportsmen and women.

WHEN: A short outdoor ceremony will begin promptly at 11:15 a.m., Friday, Sept. 2

WHERE: Boone and Crockett Club headquarters, 250 Station Drive, Missoula, 59801

WHY: Tester’s legislation, the Making Public Lands Public Act (S. 901), would provide funding for improving public access to existing federal lands. The secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior would be required to utilize 1.5 percent, or a minimum of $10 million annually, of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets to acquire public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers. If passed, the bill has the potential to open hundreds of thousands of acres of federal public land to hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities each year.

Nearly half of all hunters use public lands, but a report to Congress shows more than 35 million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service have inadequate hunter access. Lack of access to hunting grounds is cited as the No. 1 reason why hunters drop out and cease contributing to conservation.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Aaron Murphy
Communications Director
U.S. Senator Jon Tester
406-671-2805
[email protected]

Steve Wagner
Blue Heron Communications
580-919-9317
[email protected]

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[Ben Lamb]

FYI
_______________________________________________________

Media: For photos or additional information about this presentation, contact Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or [email protected].

Tester Recognized for Work to Improve Hunting Access



MISSOULA, Mont.—The Boone and Crockett Club today recognized Montana Senator Jon Tester for his leadership in improving access for hunters nationwide.

Rarely in the Club’s 123-year history has Boone and Crockett formally honored an individual outside the Club for efforts to improve America’s hunting heritage or wildlife conservation. But Club officials say Tester stands out among his peers for his persistent and remarkable work on behalf of sportsmen and women.

In a ceremony held at the national headquarters of the conservation organization founded by Theodore Roosevelt, Boone and Crockett Club president emeritus Lowell E. Baier presented Tester with a plaque and words of gratitude specifically for the senator’s leadership in the Making Public Lands Public Act (S. 901).

Tester’s legislation would provide funding for improving public access to existing federal lands. The secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior would be required to utilize 1.5 percent, or a minimum of $10 million annually, of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets to acquire public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers. If passed, the bill has the potential to open hundreds of thousands of acres of federal public land to hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities each year.

Nearly half of all hunters use public lands. But a report to Congress shows more than 35 million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service have inadequate hunter access. Lack of access to hunting grounds is cited as the No. 1 reason why hunters drop out and cease contributing to conservation.

Baier said, “Roosevelt was adamant that Americans should have the opportunity to hunt, fish and enjoy the hardy life of the outdoors. Hunting is vital to conservation. Proper access is vital to hunting. Senator Tester understands this heritage and why it’s even more important now than it was in Roosevelt’s time.”

Tester said, “America’s public lands are some of the best in the world, and they’re where we pass on our outdoor traditions to our kids and grandkids. But we’re seeing too much of this land blocked, surrounded by private land with closed gates.”

Boone and Crockett Club is among many hunting, fishing and conservation organizations strongly supporting the Making Public Lands Public Act (S. 901).

Baier added, “Senator Tester is one of the real champions in Washington D.C. for hunting and conservation and our way of life. I know the Club speaks for the entire sporting community when we say thank you for being our voice in so many important issues, from managing wolves to conserving habitat to protecting traditional ammunition—as well as improving hunting access.”



About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.

 

[RockyDog]

i have never seen that "about B&C paragraph" at the bottom of your post before. I have a whole new respect for B&C.

 

[Ben Lamb]

That's the press release they sent out after the event today.

B&C has been one of the leaders in Hunter Conservation for over a century. They were established by Theodore Roosevelt, and George Bird Grinnell, and many others back in the day. Tony Schoonen JR is their Director. If you know Tony's dad, Sr, you know that the fair chase ethic is strong in that family. So is access.