Tester pushes bill to increase public land access, strengthen Montana’s outdoor economy

Senator’s SPORT Act includes 15 provisions to increase rights of nation's hunters and anglers

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester, former Chairman of the Congressional Sportmen’s Caucus, is ramping up his fight to expand public land access and strengthen Montana’s outdoor economy.

Tester is joining Senator Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) to introduce the Sportsmen’s and Public Outdoor Recreation Traditions (SPORT) Act. The Senators’ broad-based bill would increase public land access for hunters and anglers, preserve treasured places to hunt and fish, and strengthen states’ roles in protecting wildlife.

Tester said the measure will strengthen Montana’s long-standing outdoor heritage and traditions while spurring new growth in Montana’s outdoor economy.

“Sportsmen and women are calling for a responsible, common-sense plan that takes good ideas from both sides of the aisle to strengthen our outdoor economy and secure our outdoor heritage – and this proposal does just that,” Tester said. “Outdoor recreation creates jobs and drives Montana’s economy, and I will continue to step forward on behalf of sportsmen and women across our state.”

Montana’s outdoor economy, led by hunting, fishing and recreation, creates or sustains 64,000 jobs and contributes nearly $6 billion to the state’s economy each year.

Tester introduced a similar bipartisan bill – the Sportsmen’s Act – last year that nearly passed the Senate, but was blocked at the last hour due to political games. More information about Tester’s previous sportsmen and women bill is available HERE.

Tester also recently sponsored a bipartisan bill that increases the number of public shooting ranges in Montana nationwide.

Tester’s SPORT Act.pdf by les_braswell5524