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Other Columns By Linda...
To say that archery had its day at the Minnesota State capitol would be a lie. Behind the half hour shooting range presentation before the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR), were hundreds of hours of preparation by folks from both the public and private sectors. That day at the capital was not just one day or even several weeks, but was a decade in the making.
The LCMR was created in 1963, to make funding recommendations for special natural resource projects. These projects help maintain and enhance Minnesotas natural resources. Since 1963, LCMR has appropriated over $493 million for approximately 1175 projects. Funds go toward things like fish, wildlife and native plant habitat projects, environmental education, water issues, and recreation and natural systems. The shooting range proposal fell under the area of recreation. With Pittman Robertson (PR) monies largely being allocated to wildlife biology and habitats, the firearms and archery industries have seen a proportionately small return on the investment they pay into the PR program. Federal funding for Minnesota Firearm Safety Education ended in 1997, which sent the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources scurrying for substitute funding. About that time, 20 year veteran Conservation Officer Jeff Thelen was promoted to Education Program Coordinator at Camp Ripley, and teamed with DNR Federal Aid Coordinator and grant writer, Chuck Niska, to obtain funding for firearms ranges. They explored State funding sources rather than the dwindling Federal aid project monies. In 1998, $960,000 was requested from the LCMR for the improvement and maintenance of firearms ranges. They obtained $350,000 and through an advisory group and sifted through the more than 63 organizations who made application. In 2000, one million dollars was requested, and $910,000 was appropriated. Before the LCMR, Pittman Robertson Act monies were allocated for the improvement of firearms ranges, with archery not even being considered for funding. The valid safety issues surrounding firearms earned that sport a front seat. However, from the 70s to the 80s, a total of only about $150,000 was made available overall in Minnesota. In the early 80s, the Federal Government was taken to court by environmental groups who claimed that PR monies must only be used for habitat management. Firearms ranges were mostly privately held or non-profit organizations, and had need of funding with the increased public interest in shooting and hunting. Firearm Safety classes needed ranges for their field days as well. Initial LCMR funding went for the rehabilitation and start-up of firearms ranges under the leadership of Thelen and Niska. While archery has also paid into the Pittman Robertson Act, the sport has been largely excluded from the funding that the firearms industry has enjoyed. With over 70,000 licensed archers in Minnesota, archery clearly is a viable recreational sport for families and the general public. Various groups began lobbying efforts, pleading that the sport of recreational archery was not getting its fair share. After hearing from Minnesota Bowhunters Inc., (MBI), the Archery Association of Minnesota (AAM) and other groups, ears began to listen. In 2002, the request for funding was entered on the docket and the presentation team was formed to obtain funding for both archery and firearms range improvements. The team was organized by Chuck Niska. Captain Jeff Thelen presented as well. Linda Burch and Lee Murphy represented MInnesota Bowhunteres Inc. Toni Marino represented the Archery Association of Minnesota. Ron Gittlings represented the North Woods Hunting Club where prior funding had successfully improved their firearms range. Each individual was well prepared as they testified before the legislators for the purpose of requesting $700,000.
Funding will be available in the 04-05 biennium, and is matching funds program. Archery and firearms ranges must match monies received, dollar for dollar. We hunters, and especially archers, are often loners with our sport. To take time from our work or hunting, and to put together a presentation, and to speak before a televised legislative committee session where some members don't even know what a hunting reg book is, is certainly something we would rather not do. It takes us out of our comfort zone. However, if the sport of archery is going to continue, we must get involved. If our privilege of hunting is going to be there for us, and for our successors, we must get out of our tree stands and speak for our sport. Hunters and archery industry people around the country were stunned when I told them the LCMR voted to give archery some funding. Here in Minnesota, hunting and archery are accepted and cherished traditions. This is not the case in many other States. Many state organizations lobby for archery and hunting. If testifying at the capital is not your bag, simply joining one or more such organizations in your state will help give you a voice and your organization strength to make the changes needed to keep our sport strong. Your state and local organizations need you and by your being active, it is important now and for the future. If nothing else, it will help you stay informed on issues that could affect you and/or threaten the future of our sport. Here are some vital organizations in MN.
* Copyright Sept 2002 by Linda K. Burch Linda K. Burch
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