California Pro-Hunting Amendments Adopted Into Law

California Pro-Hunting Amendments Adopted Into Law

Sacramento, CA –-(AmmoLand.com)-During the 2009 State Legislative Session, COHA was successful in inserting several pro-hunting amendments into AB 1442 (Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee).

The bill was ultimately signed into law on October 11th. The COHA-drafted language will do the following:

1. Authorize the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to secure voluntary easements on private land to create public access for recreational activities, such as hunting and fishing opportunities.
2. Require WCB, in acquiring land for hunting and fishing purposes, to consider those areas of the state in which public access and opportunity for those activities is most needed.
3. Make technical changes to provisions of law relating to shooting near roads and other ways open to the public to ensure that hunting can continue to safely and legally occur in those areas.
4. Make it a crime to remove the collar of a hunting dog without the written permission of the owner.
5. Reduce penalties for hunters who have been cited for not having their hunting license in the field but can produce the license in court.

A separate provision in AB 1442 that was supported by COHA creates a voluntary stamp that may be purchased at Fish and Game license offices to support California Game Wardens.

COHA appreciates the willingness of Assembly Member Jared Huffman and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee to include these important provisions in AB 1442.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org