The North American Gamebird Association finished the year 2012 with bird sales and hunting preserve operations at perhaps an all time high. Many in production and planned for an average or slightly above average year. Preserve operators took reservations for hunts as they had in previous years; however, Mother Nature changed all that. The unseasonably mild weather in many parts of the country allowed hunting preserves to remain open for parties. Remaining open meant more birds would be required, a good position for the game bird industry. As we enter 2013, the seasonal outcome remains an open question; will the industry enjoy another 2012 of fall back to the conventional previous years.
The Officers, Board of Directors and Staff have been very active during 2012 on the political front on behalf of NAGA, the game bird industry and hunting in North America. NAGA signed on along with several sporting and conservation organizations in support of the “Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 (S.3525)” which would have protected sportsmen. In spite of broad support from sportsmen and the conservation organizations, the Act failed to clear is final procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate in late November. The Bill sponsors have continued working to find resolution to the stumbling blocks but time is running out to move the Bill through this Congress leaving only to be presented in the 113th Congress for consideration.
The bill was delayed in the Senate when Se. Jeff Sessions (R-AR) raised a budget question point of order against the Bill saying that it violated the 2011 Budget Control Act by authorizing 140 million dollars of new spending. Advocates presented information where the Bill actually reduced the deficit by 5 million over a decade through the increase price of the Federal Duck Stamp. Arguments have been satisfied but the delay allowed Sen. Barbara Boxer ( D-CA) and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) an opportunity to object to the provision that would exempt lead ammunition and fishing tackle from regulation by the EPA.
The Farm Bill also has a slim chance of passing within the 112th Congress. Negotiations to address the ever-present “fiscal cliff” are currently consuming all the energy in Washington D.C. One may conclude that passing the 2012 Farm Bill may have to be incorporated into a larger legislative package that will be part of the increase taxes and entitlement agreements when ever that happens.
Perhaps the best news that the sporting industry received in 2012 was a report that the HSUS reported that they received 8.5 million dollars less in 2011. That means that they may have to begin to pick and choose their attacks on sporting programs more carefully.
Ladd Johnson
NAGA Executive Director
