From his website:
Barack Obama did not grow up hunting and fishing, but he recognizes the great conservation legacy of
America’s hunters and anglers and has great respect for the passion that hunters and anglers have for their sport.
Were it not for America’s hunters and anglers, including the great icons like Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo
Leopold, our nation would not have the tradition of sound game management, a system of ethical, science-based
game laws and an extensive public lands estate on which to pursue the sport. Obama recognizes that we must
forge a broad coalition if we are to address the great conservation challenges we face. America’s hunters and
anglers are a key constituency that must take an active role and have a powerful voice in this coalition.
PROTECTING GUN RIGHTS
Respect the Second Amendment: Millions of hunters and shooters own and use guns each year. Barack
Obama believes the Second Amendment creates an individual right, and he respects the constitutional rights of
Americans to bear arms. He will protect the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase,
own, transport, and use guns.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO PLACES TO HUNT AND FISH
Barack Obama recognizes that American hunters and anglers are losing access to places to hunt and fish.
Obama supports the Open Fields Incentives legislation that provides incentives to farmers and ranchers who
voluntarily open their land to hunting, fishing and other wildlife-related activities.
CONSERVING FISH AND WILDLIFE
Barack Obama is fully committed to protecting the habitat for the fish and wildlife that sportsmen enjoy. He is
an advocate for preserving our wetlands and supports a broad range of national conservation programs,
including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the
National Fish Habitat Plan.
Private Lands/Farm Bill: Because most land is privately owned, private landowners are the principal
stewards of America’s land and water. As a U.S. Senator, Barack Obama has supported conservation programs
that serve as a resource to landowners and assist them with sustainable environmental planning and best land
management practices. As president, Obama will make the conservation of private lands a priority. He will
fight to increase funding for the Conservation Security Program and the major set-aside programs such as the
Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, and Grasslands Reserve Program, so that rental
rates can compete with rising commodity prices. Obama will direct the Departments of Agriculture and the
Interior to place a special emphasis on restoration of habitat for important game species associated with specific
regions of the United States, such as bobwhite quail and Eastern and Osceola turkey habitat in the South, ruffed
grouse habitat in the Northeast, and sage grouse and pronghorn antelope habitat in the West. Obama also
supports the use of tax incentives and other financial mechanisms to encourage private landowners to restore
and protect habitat.
Jim
