Earlier this year, Senator Jon Tester of Montana introduced a legislative package called the Sportsmen's Act of 2012 that would provide a whole host of benefits to hunters and anglers.

The bill integrates 17 separate bills, including the Making Public Lands Public Access Act, the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act and the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act. It also would reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Due to congressional infighting, Senator Tester and other sportsmen-friendly advocates in the Senate have not yet been able to move the bill forward. Most recently, a procedural vote on Monday stalled the bill because of a budget related technicality, which Senator Tester and Republican leadership are working to fix.

We can still get the Sportsmen's Act across the finish line before the 112th Congress adjourns in two weeks, but we need your help.

Please call your Senators and tell them to urge Senator Sessions and Senator Tester to come to an agreement to bring the Sportsmen's Act to the floor so that the 112th Congress has time to pass this historic legislation.

To get contact information for your Senator go to http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm


You can use the following talking points:

- The Sportsmen's Act of 2012 is the most important piece of legislation for Sportsmen in many years.

- This legislative package, which enjoys support from groups ranging from the NRA to The Nature Conservancy, addresses access to public lands, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation issues that are of great concern to hunters and anglers.

- I encourage you to urge Senator Tester and Senator Sessions to come to an agreement to bring the Sportsmen's Act of 2012 to the Senate floor, and I ask that you support the bill when it comes up for a vote.

Thank you for your time.