Earlier this month, the Alabama Legislature convened its 2014 legislative session and saw the introduction of House Bill 322. Sponsored by state Representative Mark Tuggle (R-81), HB 322 would guarantee the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in Alabama.
By declaring and enshrining this state constitutional right, Alabama would keep the existing fishing and hunting structure in place while protecting future generations of sportsmen from attacks initiated by well-funded anti-hunting extremists. Specifically, HB 322 would promote wildlife conservation and management. In addition, it specifies that hunting, fishing and harvesting of wildlife shall be used as the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution would ensure that sportsmen will continue to be used as Alabama’s responsible game managers instead of the taxpayer-funded sharpshooters and unproven, expensive wildlife contraception schemes employed in other jurisdictions.
House Bill 322 has been referred to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee, but a hearing date has not yet been scheduled. Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you on HB 322, as well as any other Second Amendment or hunting-related legislation.