| Friend -- Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Legislative Alert - 2019/03/13 Please Contact the House Fish & Wildlife Committee "NO TO H.357, H.190, H.410 and H.411"
>>>>>URGENT ACTION NEEDED<<<<< H.357, referred to as the "Wanton Waste of Wildlife" bill is currently in play, and this bill is not currently favorable to hunters.
The Fish & Wildlife Department has already provided testimony against this bill with the clear statement that it is not needed, yet some Committee members seem to wish to ignore the strong advice of the F&W Department.
This bill defines "wanton waste" as "intentionally leaving wounded or killed game, fur bearing species, wild birds, or other wildlife in the field or forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and consume" them. It is unclear however as to who decides what is "reasonable", and as currently written: Protecting your property, animals and garden by shooting a crow, a woodchuck or a coyote would qualify as "Wanton Waste" unless you then "used" that animal, such as by eating it.
Consider this situation: A hunter wounds a deer and the deer manages to run away. If the hunter was unable to locate the deer and then left the woods (perhaps because it was too dark), and then someone decides that the hunter didn't try hard enough to locate the wounded deer, that hunter could be subject to a 10 point violation and loss of their license. The Federation strongly urges you to take the following action: - Send an email to House Fish & Wildlife Committee and in that email please say NO to H.357, H.190, H.410 and H.411
- Call the Sergeant-at-Arms at (802) 828-2228
When they answer, ask them to deliver a message to ALL House Fish & Wildlife Committee members with the message NO to H.357, H.190, H.410 and H.411. Beyond saying that, you will only need to give your name and address.
Again: The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, after careful consideration, feels that this bill is not needed, and the Federation as well as the Vermont Traditions Coalition agree: NO to H.357 and when you engage them also tell them: NO to H.190, H.410 and H.411.
All sportsmen need to stand together, so take the time to send an email using the above link, and then make that call to the Sergeant-at-Arms. S.22 Hearing Update Thank you to all that were able to joins us at the hearing on the senate gun bills at Vermont Technical College last night. There were about 300 attendees. As you can see from the photos Vermonters opposing S.22 outnumbered the opposition by at least a six to one margin. Please keep apprised of new legislation and email and call your legislators regarding issues important to you. Remember a voice that is never spoken is never heard.   
Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
http://www.vtfsc.com/
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