UPDATE ON APALACHICOLA FOREST ROAD CLOSURES

A legal challenge to the road closure/opening plan created by the U.S. Forest Service was filed by the local Florida State Dog Hunters and Sportsman's Association. Challenges were also filed by Wild Law (an environmental group out of DC), by a local trail riders association representing motorcycle riders (not ATVs), and by an individual motorcycle rider. We have talked with Congressman Boyd's office and they are aware of our concerns, but are awaiting feedback from the Dog Hunters Association on how to proceed. We have also had conversations with Safari Club International about this matter and have asked for their assistance.

Representatives from the Dog Hunters Association met with the local US Forest Service staff on Tuesday, December 4. We presented the concerns of all dog hunters, as we understood them. I, speaking on behalf of other sporting groups but not necessarily as a part of the legal challenge, also expressed opinion on how the closures would affect those who might fish in the pocket lakes in the forest, as well as still hunters who may now have to walk several miles to access still hunt stands.

We thought the meeting went well. The US Forest Service suggested that they could, most likely, accommodate a few of the smaller opening issues that we had. However, they also suggested that they knew there were certain areas of the forest where they had proposed closures that would cause extreme hardship. Much of this was north of Bloxham and also in large tracts in Liberty County. They suggested that they would need to start a process over again in January to address these concerns and they suggested that they would be inclined to do that, if all parties (the 4 challengers) would agree to withdraw legal challenges.

Late Friday, we were informed by the Forest Service that one of the challengers would not agree to that proposed action. Therefore, we are still left with the legal challenge and we are in a waiting game to see what the Service's official response will be.

Please stay tuned for additional updates as this matter progresses.

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Florida sportsmen are facing a serious setback on hunting and fishing opportunities in three national forests: Apalachicola, Osceola and Ocala. The U.S. Forest Service has proposed amendments to their management plans that will shut down many roads used by hunting groups and fishermen. In the Apalachicola Forest alone, approximately 50,000 acres will, in affect, be shut down to traditional hunting methods by the road closures. In addition, these closures will force other users of the forests to concentrate their activities into smaller areas, thereby limiting their access to the remainder of the forest.

Stakeholders worked diligently with the U.S. Forest Service during the development of these rule modifications. The user groups suggested alternative road closures and, in many cases, agreed with the Forest Service on the closure of many roads. These meetings and suggestions were summarily rejected, however. The proposed actions of the U.S. Forest Service seemingly ignore the Executive Order issued by President Bush just this past summer. Among other things, the order 1) directed federal agencies to evaluate the effect of their actions on trends in hunter participation and, where appropriate to address declining trends, implement actions that expand and enhance hunting opportunities; 2) consider the economic impact and recreational values of hunting; and 3) manage wildlife and wildlife habitats on public lands in a manner that expands and enhances hunting opportunities.

The actions proposed by the U.S. Forest Service will lead to less hunting and fishing opportunities by denying typical access to the property via roads that have been used for decades, if not generations. This will lead to a decline in hunters and fishermen and subsequently, will result in a negative economic impact on those businesses. If you are a user of any of these three forests and you are concerned about these impacts you are urged to contact Lane Stephens, executive director of Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida. Lane can be reached at lane@scggov.com.

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Welcome to the Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida, Inc., web site. For those of you who are viewing our page for the first time, we thank you for coming and encourage you to take a few minutes to browse our pages. You can find information about the organizations that are members of ASAF, upcoming events, and even how to become a member organization or individual supporter.

The mission of the Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida is to provide a statewide, unified voice for the concerns of all sportsmen and conservationist, to insure their rights and interests are protected, and to protect and enhance the environment and our natural resources. We accomplish this by working with Florida Legislators, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and other local, state and federal agencies.

One of our newest features on the site, and one that we hope you will come back often to review, is our Executive Director's Report. Here you will find updates from Lane Stephens, our executive director, on items of interest. Depending on the time of year, the reports may contain legislative information, items pertaining to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, reports on meetings that ASAF has participated in, or other useful information. The current report will show up when you click on the Executive Director's Report button, and previous reports will be available as PDF files. If you have a web site, we encourage you to place a link to us on your site, and if you are an individual sportsmen, we ask that you share our web address with your friends. Feel free to contact us by e-mailing our executive director at lane.asaf@comcast.net. Thanks for joining us and we wish you success in the field or on the water!

Microsoft Funds Anti-Hunting Movement

Click on this link to read the article: http://www.ussportsmen.org/Read.cfm?ID=2031

From Executive Director Lane Stephens:

Dear Friends in the Field and on the Water:

It has come to our attention via the National Wild Turkey Federation and the United State Sportsmen’s Alliance that the Microsoft Corporation has initiated a campaign which will raise funds for the Humane Society of the United States. Many people mistakenly believe that the HSUS is the warm and fuzzy group that provides funding for animal shelters around the country. This cannot be further from the truth. In fact, the Humane Society of the United States and PETA are basically one in the same. Their mission is to eliminate hunting and fishing of all species in every state of our great nation.

If you own a computer then most likely you are a user of Microsoft products. Your kid’s video games are probably Microsoft products. As consumers, but more importantly as sportsmen, I urge each of you to write a personal letter to Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft, asking him to stop this practice of supporting the HSUS immediately. Below you will find a link to a letter that I sent to Mr. Gates. Feel free to use this as a template for your own letter.

Sportsmen must be heard on this matter. I urge you to not only write a letter, but send your fellow sportsmen an e-mail with a link to the Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida web site. Encourage them to write letters, as well.

Thank you in advance for your participation and let’s work together to help stop this funding of the HSUS. Sincerely, Lane Stephens, Executive Director and fellow sportsman Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida

Click on this link to open and read the letter that Lane Stephens sent to Bill Gates: Letter to Bill Gates June 2007

Report on the 2007 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature

The Florida Legislature concluded its 2007 Regular Session on Friday, May 4, 2007, but not before passing several bills that were favorable to sportsmen. A comprehensive legislative package for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission contained the first hunting and fishing license fee increases in many years. The package, which was broadly supported by sportsmen’s groups from around Florida, will help better fund hunting and fishing management in Florida. In addition, language was included that will allow sportsmen to donate funds to youth hunting and fishing programs whenever they purchase hunting and fishing licenses. Lane Stephens, executive director of Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida stated “We are appreciative of the Florida Legislature and members of the Florida Legislators’ Sportsmen’s Caucus for helping support the future of hunting in Florida. While the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spends a considerable amount of funds on youth programs, we hope to enhance these programs with these voluntary contributions and we would encourage all sportsmen to step up and contribute when they renew their license.”

In addition to the omnibus sportsmen’s package, the Florida Legislature also adopted legislation which will open Babcock Ranch, a newly acquired 75,000 acre property, to hunting. Under the current management plan, hunting was prohibited until such time that the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, working in conjunction with the operating company which manages Babcock Ranch, adopted rules and regulations to implement hunting. Under the proposed legislation, hunting would be allowed on a fee basis until such time that the FWCC rules are adopted. The legislation also places an emphasis on providing hunting opportunities for youth and those persons who have disabilities.

LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE AFFECTING SPORTSMEN

Deer Hunting with Hounds Coming Under Attack

A segment of the hunting community that is a part of the fabric of southern culture and hunting heritage has come under attack again in Florida. In the January 21, 2007 edition of the Gainesville Sun, a letter to the editor attacked the tradition of hunting deer with hounds. Once again, anti-hunter types are resorting to the tired old tactics of writing half-truths or any false statements in their attack of hunting rights.

Click here to see our response to this latest attack and to see letters of support that we have received in response to our efforts.

Florida Hosts 3rd Annual National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses

The Florida Legislators' Sportsmen's Caucus and the Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida were proud to host the 3rd Annual Meeting of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses on December 10-13 in Ft. Lauderdale. Florida State Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Baxter Troutman (R-Winter Haven) welcomed over 30 legislators representing caucuses from 22 states, as well as numerous representatives of conservation and sporting organizations from around the United States, to this four-day meeting.

The conference was held at the International Game Fish Association's world headquarters and the Fishing Musuem and Hall of Fame. Much thanks is due to IGFA president Rob Kramer, for opening the doors of his facility for this event. We also want to thank the folks at BassPro in Dania, for sponsoring and hosting the Florida Host Dinner on Monday night. The next time your travels take you to Ft. Lauderdale, please stop by and visit the IGFA Museum, you will be glad you did. And, while you are there, stop in next door at BassPro and spend a few bucks.

During three days of meetings, legislators and others in attendance heard from a variety of speakers, such as Rob Keck, president of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Mark Duda, a leading researching on the opinions of American's regarding their attitudes towards hunting, and Doug Painter, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF puts on the annual SHOT Show, which you can view on the Outdoor Channel in Janurary 2007 live from Orlando). Those in attendance also got to spend quality time with one of America's salt water fishing legends, Mark Sosin. Mr. Sosin attended the entire conference and spoke at Tuesday evening's banquet.

Finally, what sportsmen's event could be held without a little fun. On Wednesday, the last day of the event, a sail fish tournament was held. Eleven boats took about 60 men and women from around the US on a fishing trip of a life time. And while the sail fish were few and far between, a handful were caught and released.

By all accounts, this was the best NASC event ever and many have already said it will be difficult for the next host state to beat what we provided in Florida.

Over 30 legislators representing 22 states were part of the 100+ participants who attended the NASC meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, which was held at the International Game Fish Association Museum and headquarters.

Florida Legislators' Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Baxter Troutman and ASAF Executive Director Lane Stephens attending the 3rd Annual Conference of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, in Ft. Lauderdale.