BOISE, IDAHO – The Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus once again took action on sportsmen’s related bills in the state legislature’s 2008 session which recently came to a close. Idaho’s sportsmen have good news to celebrate with the passage of two bills that protect shooting ranges and another that discourages unlicensed outfitters and their ‘clients’.

Shooting Range Protection
Thousands of Idaho sportsmen enjoy the shooting sports at their local ranges. They sight-in their rifles, pattern their shotguns and have fun dusting clay birds at the dozens of state-run and private shooting ranges. Both HB515 and HB604 protect shooting ranges.

Before creating HB515, Caucus Co-Chair Representative Donna Pence worked with The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) staff to obtain information about other State’s Range Protection Bills. Caucus members evaluated that information and worked closely with Idaho Fish and Game on the bill to create strong legislation that protects state-owned public shooting ranges against noise violations. Representative Pence along with caucus member Representative George Eskridge then sponsored HB515. Governor Otter signed the bill into law on March 14.

Representative Pence commented, “This year the caucus has done a great job of protecting shooting ranges. We created really good bills and set the standards for noise and shooting ranges.”

For privately-owned ranges, there is HB604, sponsored by caucus member Representative Marv Hagedorn. Representative Donna Pence also worked closely on this legislation that provides protection for individual shooting range owners against noise pollution violations.

Under this legislation, a person who operates or uses a sport shooting range shall not be subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution in any matter relating to noise or noise pollution resulting from the operation or use of the range if the range met certain conditions. Governor Otter signed the bill on March 31.

Representative Pence said, “HB 604 protects privately owned range owners. It shields range owners from the legalities of people moving into an area with a preexisting shooting range.”

Other bills of interest to sportsmen are listed below:

Penalties for Unlicensed Guides
HB473 - This legislation makes it a misdemeanor to guide/outfit without a license or to compensate a guide or outfitter that is not licensed. The bill was signed into law by Governor Otter on March 14.

Wolf Depredation
SB1374 amends existing law to revise provisions relating to the control of depredation of black bear, mountain lion and predators; and now provides for the control of depredation of wolves. This bill was signed by Governor Otter on March 28.

About the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
The Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus began working with the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) in 2004. Idaho Senator David Langhorst serves as Vice-President of the Executive Council for NASC. Caucus leaders are Senator John Andreason, Senator David Langhorst, Representative Donna Pence and Representative Richard Wills. Along with standing diligently behind their legislative priorities, the caucus also holds regular meetings and its advisory council, Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council (ISCAC) held a reception for legislators. In January, the caucus held a ‘Camo Day’ for sportsmen at the state capital.

Idaho hunters, fishermen and trappers can be secure in the knowledge that the bipartisan Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus sets aside party politics to protect and advance the sportsmen’s agenda when the state legislature is in session.

About the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC)
The National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, a program of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), serves as the coordinator for 35 state legislative sportsmen's caucuses. NASC is the leader in providing information to protect and promote sportsmen's issues in state legislatures, serving as the venue for focused interaction and idea exchange among state caucus leaders and the outdoors community. For additional information, visit the NASC website at www.statesportsmenslink.org or call 202-543-6907.

Visit the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s website at www.nssf.org.

To learn how Idaho’s 269,000 sportsmen spend $1.6 million per day, visit www.sportsmenslink.org.

Media Contact:
Allan Ellis (202) 543-6850 ext. 19 or allan@sportsmenlink.com