Obama & sportsmen issues

OK....I don't know who I am voting for yet, but I found this and thought it was pretty straight forward. Probably the best outline of any candidate I've EVER seen on what they are "talking" about doing for sportmens' issues.


BARACK OBAMA: SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS
AND TRADITIONS OF SPORTSMEN

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.[/LEFT]
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PROTECTING GUN RIGHTS
Respect the Second Amendment: ​

​

Millions of hunters own and use guns each year. Millions more participate
in a variety of shooting sports such as sporting clays, skeet, target and trap shooting that may not necessarily
involve hunting. As a former constitutional law professor, Barack Obama believes the Second Amendment
creates an individual right, and he greatly 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 for the
purposes of hunting and target shooting. He also believes that the right is subject to reasonable and
commonsense regulation.​

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
Paid for by Obama for America
supports the use of tax incentives and other financial mechanisms to encourage private landowners to restore
and protect habitat.​

Saltwater Fishing: ​

​

Barack Obama supports efforts to allocate a fair percentage of managed coastal fisheries to
sport fishing, based on its economic value, and to restore coastal marine fish habitat damaged by sea level rise,
hurricanes, and coastal development.​

National Forests: ​

​

National Forest roadless areas provide essential habitat for a broad range of plant and animal
species, and clean drinking water. As president, Barack Obama will fight to protect roadless areas on Forest
Service lands from all new road construction.​

Wetlands: ​

​

Barack Obama supports numerous efforts to protect wetlands, including full funding for the North
American Wetlands Conservation Act and fulfilling the goal of “no net loss”, extending the swamp buster
provisions of the Farm Bill, and amending the Clean Water Act to clarify that it protects isolated wetlands. His
record on wetlands conservation dates back to his days as a state senator. In 2004, he was a cosponsor of the
Wetlands Protection Act, which provides for the conservation of wetlands in Illinois. As a state senator, Obama
also supported the creation of the Illinois Open Land Trust, which allows the state to buy property from willing
sellers for conservation and recreation purposes and make grants and loans to local governments for acquiring
land for open spaces.​

Climate Change: ​

​

Barack Obama recognizes that global warming is real, is happening now, and poses a real
threat to America’s fish, wildlife, natural habitats, and the future of hunting and fishing. Obama supports
proposals endorsed by dozens of national hunting and fishing organizations, including the Mule Deer
Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, BASS/ESPN, Pheasants Forever, the
American Sport fishing Association and Trout Unlimited, to devote billions of dollars annually to state game
and fish agencies and federal land management agencies to help them ensure that fish and wildlife survive the
impacts of climate change. Obama also has a plan to put America on the path to stop global climate change by
reducing carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050 and investing in advanced technologies that will spur innovation,
create millions of new jobs and help stop climate change.​

EDUCATING YOUNG HUNTERS AND ANGLERS​

Barack Obama understands the importance of America’s hunting and fishing traditions. For many, these
activities help forge a conservation ethic that lasts a lifetime. He also recognizes that hunting and fishing are
family activities that create bonds that last across generations. As president, Obama will provide state game and
fish agencies with additional resources and encouragement to reach out to young men and women to educate
them about hunting and fishing opportunities, hunter safety, and the basic principles of fish and wildlife​

management.

 

Possibly....most likely probably....but I still haven't found anything from the other candidates that even comes close to thinking about these issues.

Sure, they all have policies on the Environment & Second Amendment, but this is the first I've seen on actual issues directly related to sportsmen.