2005 Sportfishing Summit
Standing Up for Anglers’ Rights
Honorable John C. Astle, state senator, (D-MD) and President,
The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), was a keynote speaker.
Senator Astle’s key message centered around working together
to stymie the efforts of groups such as PETA, that work to strip anglers—and
hunters—of their rights to enjoy the out-of-doors. Astle said
that one of the most powerful ways to defeat groups such as PETA is
to bring more young people into the outdoors and onto the water. He
asked the attendees to do their part to be mentors to young people.
As President of the NASC, Astle said his organization works with state
legislatures to form state sportsmen’s caucuses modeled after
the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. According to Astle, “We’ve
had some success in getting laws changed to the advantage of hunters,
and some for anglers, as well.”
However, Astle said that nothing is more important than having a personal
relationship with your policymakers. “Legislative bodies have
a tremendous impact on how we live our lives in this country,” Astle
told the luncheon attendees, “and they listen to their constituents.” He
urged the audience to make arrangements to meet with their policymakers—state
and federal—when they are in their home districts and “get
to be friends.”
Launched in December 2004, the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s
Caucuses is the network of state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses.
The NASC assists in the formation of new sportsmen’s caucuses
and provides the venue for focused interaction and idea exchange among
state caucus leaders, sportsmen’s groups, industry, media and
other potential partners.
For additional information, visit the NASC Web site at www.statesportsmenslink.org
or call 202.543.6907.
