NRA-ILA Hunting Policy

by
posted on February 2, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gunclub2015_fs.jpg

Today, hunting in the United States is under attack like never before. Anti-hunters, often masked as animal “rights” activists, are using scare tactics and junk science to deceptively chip away at our hunting freedoms. The Institute for Legislative Action’s full-time legislative and legal staff is actively engaged in protecting hunters by working with lawmakers to introduce pro-hunting legislation and to defend against anti-hunting efforts.

Right to Hunt and Fish
For almost a decade, ILA has led the charge to protect hunting through the adoption of Right to Hunt and Fish (RTHF) state constitutional amendments. Because anti-hunting extremists are launching sophisticated attacks and pumping millions of dollars into efforts to eliminate hunting, it is critical for states to adopt these constitutional safeguards. They are written to enshrine in state constitutions the right of the people to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife now and for generations to come. Oklahoma was the first state to adopt ILA’s RTHF model language in 2008. Since then, eight states have adopted the model with an average of 80-90 percent voter approval. Currently, 18 states have some version of RTHF in their state constitutions. Each year, ILA strategically targets a handful of states for a RTHF amendment with the goal of adopting these essential safeguards in as many states as possible.

Hunter Recruitment & Retention
Outdated blue laws from the 18th century are another way in which some states restrict hunters. Sunday hunting restrictions or prohibitions still exist in 11 Eastern states. ILA will continue to promote America’s great hunting heritage by working to repeal these outdated laws. For example, we celebrated a major pro-hunting victory during the last legislative session, when the governor of Virginia signed a law repealing much of the archaic ban on Sunday hunting in the commonwealth.

ILA constantly seeks to increase hunter recruitment and retention, such as promoting efforts to allow the use of firearm sound suppressors for hunting. There are numerous benefits to hunting with suppressed firearms: reduced noise complaints; reduced recoil and muzzle rise, which helps increase accuracy; and protection against hearing loss. It is a common misconception that a suppressor “silences” a gun, as often portrayed in movies; in reality, a suppressor simply reduces sound to a safe level for hearing. In 2014, ILA had success in passing suppressor legislation in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Ohio.

Hunter Access
ILA also advances legislation for programs such as “Open Fields” and “No-Net-Loss” to maintain and increase the amount of hunting land open to the public. Finding a place to hunt becomes increasingly difficult every year. No-Net-Loss programs require that states maintain the current level of available public hunting land. This assures hunters that the opportunities they have now will not diminish in the future. In addition, Open Fields programs (known by different names in various states) provide incentives to landowners to allow public access for hunters. ILA is working to expand this program to additional states, which would provide the opportunity to open millions of new acres to hunters.

Lead Ammo
In addition, the use of traditional lead ammunition is increasingly under attack by anti-hunting groups. Anti-hunters misinform policymakers and the public on the environmental and health effects of hunters’ spent lead ammunition. In fact, lead from hunters’ spent ammunition has not been scientifically proven to impact wildlife populations or present a health risk to humans. For instance, the bald eagle population, which is often cited by anti-hunting groups as being adversely impacted by spent lead ammunition, is at its highest level in more than half a century.

These issues are just the beginning. ILA remains vigilant in the fight to protect hunters—America’s true conservationists—from misguided attacks by groups whose goal is to ban hunting in all its forms.

Latest

LEDE Count Some Quail
LEDE Count Some Quail

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.