The Migratory Bird Conservation Fund also has been recreated, meaning that all money collected from the sale of stamps will once again go directly toward wetland conservation projects and improvement of waterfowl hunting access in Connecticut. Over $1.1 million has been raised and spent on wetland habitat conservation in Connecticut since 1993, when the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program was initiated. These funds have been provided, in large part, by hunters. A substantial portion of the $1.1 million also was raised through sales to Duck Stamp collectors and to collectors of artistic prints from 1993 to 2002 when the production and sale of prints was discontinued.

Hunters 16 years of age or older are required to purchase a Connecticut Duck Stamp every year if they plan to hunt waterfowl in Connecticut. However, anyone who has an interest in wetland and waterfowl conservation can purchase and collect stamps. The stamps feature a different waterfowl species each year. The 2010-2011 stamp features an illustration of the common goldeneye by Clint Herdman, a wildlife artist from Beacon Falls, Connecticut. Mr. Herdman is an avid conservationist and the current Vice President of the Connecticut Waterfowlers Association. He and several other sportsmen worked with the State Legislature to help get the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Fund recreated.

Duck Stamps can be purchased at town halls, select DEP facilities, outdoor equipment and bait and tackle stores, the DEP’s License and Revenue office at 79 Elm Street in Hartford, or on the DEP Web site (www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmenlicensing).

Senate Bill 274, a bill restricting how dog owners can confine or tether their dogs, was recently amended and could be voted on at any time in the state Senate. Details of the bill’s confinement and tethering restrictions can be read by clicking here. Although the amendment may have good intentions, the new language simply does not go far enough in providing protection for sportsmen and sporting dog owners.

The amendment only exempts sporting dog owners from complying with the new restrictions while they are actively hunting, at a field trial, or training for such events. It does not exempt them when traveling to these events or while at home. Instead of totally exempting sporting dog owners, it creates an “affirmative defense” for dog owners during transportation and while at home.

“The use of an ‘affirmative defense,’ as opposed to an outright exemption, means that sporting dog owners could be charged with a violation of the housing and tethering provisions but would have a defense in court” said Jeremy Rine, USSA associate director of state services. “Basically, owners would have to spend their own time and money proving in court that they ‘regularly take their dogs out’ for hunting or training.”

In addition, the bill gives no insight on how often law abiding sporting dog owners must utilize their dogs for them to fall within this affirmative defense.

Take Action! Connecticut sportsmen and sporting dog owners should contact their state senators today to urge them to oppose this bill. Tell them that SB 274 doesn’t go far enough to protect sporting dog owners.

To find your state senator’s contact information, visit the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/lac.

For more information regarding the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alert Network, call 614-888-4868, or email Greg R. Lawson, director of communications at glawson@ussportsmen.org or Sharon Hayden, assistant director of communications at shayden@ussportsmen.org.