Tracking the Capitols is a weekly source of legislation currently being tracked by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation state policy team to keep you informed of the most pertinent and timely state legislation affecting hunting, recreational fishing and shooting and trapping and other conservation issues. Inclusion in Tracking the Capitols does not necessarily constitute support or opposition to legislation by CSF and/or the CSF States Program. The bills noted in this email represent only a fraction of the legislation that CSF’s States Program is monitoring on a day-to-day basis.

You may have heard that the Post Office is proposing that we start paying an additional $9.00-11.95 for every shipment of day old poultry. This amounts to a 75% increase. They are accepting comments on this proposal through this Friday, May 24th. We are asking you to contact the USPS and protest this additional charge by 5PM Friday May 24, 2013.

Just when you thought you were gearing up at 4 a.m. for a peaceful, relaxing morning in the woods to bag that 12 point buck, think again.

In a recent press release, PETA officials have issued statements regarding their new “high-tech” initiative to obtain drone aircrafts to stalk hunters in the field. Calling them “impressive new weapons,” PETA plans to have these drones flying by fall to collect video footage of what they consider alleged “illegal activity” done by hunters in the field.

The incorporation of crossbows as a hunting implement in New York is likely to increase hunter recruitment and retention. Offering another facet of bow hunting may draw more people into the sport and may allow older hunters to remain outdoors for longer. SB 1699-A would allow the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate standards to allow for a legalized crossbow hunting season.

With gapeworm a perennial problem, most producers of game birds are well aware of the need to worm on a routine basis. But sometimes that routine is nowhere near frequent enough.