Sunday Hunting (and other) Legislation UPDATED

Support Sunday Hunting!

Contact your legislator - TODAY!

The Connecticut Legislative environment Committee will be hearing testimony of a variety of bills this coming Monday, February 25th. Call or email BEFORE Monday! Be brief and to the point. Be polite. Identify the issue and the Bill number. It also helps to identify what town you are from and who you are.

     E-mails may be more effective since it gives the legislature a way to document in writing the number of people responding to the specific issue.

     FOR: Proposals regarding Sunday hunting, on private land and on "certain tree farms" will be heard. You should contact your legislators supporting these bills. Bills related to Sunday Hunting include: House Bills: 5200, 5204, 5413, 5847 as well as Senate Bills 0558 and 0559. Identify these bills in your email or phone call.
     AGAINST: A Proposal to prohibit hunting in proximity to wildlife preserves in the state, That is House Bill 6305. It is so vague that it could be completely ~ and easily ~ misinterpreted. Identify this bill in your email or phone call.

Our Local Legislators include:

Melissa Ziobron [ Melissa.Ziobron@housegop.ct.gov ]
PH: 1-800-842-1423 (toll-free in CT) | 860-240-8700 (out of state)
Art Linares [ Art.Linares@cga.ct.gov ]
PH: 1-800-842-1421 (CT only) | 860-240-8800 (out of state)
Linda Orange [ Linda.Orange@cga.ct.gov ]
PH: (860) 240-8585 (CT only) | 1-800-842-8267 (out of state)

You could also contact the Clerk of the Environmental Committee
[ Edward.Schaeffer@cga.ct.gov ] or call 1-800-240-0440.
Click this link for a list of all members on the Environment Committee.

For the emails and contact information of other Connecticut Legislators check out the Senate Members List or the House of Representatives Members List.

Although it helps to give a short reason why you support Sunday hunting (for example, "Since I work all week Sunday is one of the few days I get to hunt, which helps put food on the table.") your email need be no more complicated than this one:

DEEP Workshop coming in March

The New England Cottontail Initiative Workshop
Working to Benefit the Cottontail and Other Young Forest Species

LANDOWNERS! Please join The Connecticut DEEP on:
March 6, 2013 or March 13, 2013
to learn more about this and what YOU can do to become involved!

Presenters will include staff from the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI)

The Connecticut Wildlife Division is part of a new regional initiative to restore habitat for the New England cottontail, a species being considered for full protection under the Endangered Species Act.
      Once common throughout New England, this species’ historic range has been reduced by over 80%. Connecticut will play a unique role in this restoration effort because, of all the New England states, ours continues to support the most significant proportion of the remaining New England cottontail population.
      This workshop will cover habitat requirements of the New England cottontail and other declining early successional species, state land habitat projects and opportunities for how you as a private landowner or land manager can become engaged in this initiative.
      The workshop will conclude with a field tour of one of our active habitat management project sites.
     

To register for either workshop location, call or e-mail DEEP by March 5, 2013.
Register by phone at: (860) 295-9523

Workshop sites:
  •  March 6: Franklin Wildlife Management Area; 391 Route 32; North Franklin, CT
Register by e-mail at: ~ Franklin: Judy.Wilson@ct.gov
  •  March 13: Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area; 341 Milford Street (Route 69); Burlington, CT. || Register by e-mail at: ~ Sessions Woods: Lisa.wahle@ct.gov

FOR MORE INFO ON COTTONTAIL RABBITS Check out the CT-DEEP Factsheet.

February Game Dinner Still On

The February Game Dinner, scheduled for this coming Saturday,, the 16th, will still be held.

We want to encourage everyone coming to car pool if at all possible. While we have plowed, parking is still limited, so space is important!

As of 2/13/13 Seating for four has opened up. (call Jim V about this).

The March Game Dinner is, however, completely booked. We still have some seating for April. Speak to one of the MSC members to indicate your interest.

Scenes from the Club

Yesterday

Getting Your Voice Heard in Hartford

Be on target!
Don't be the target

Tips on Contacting Politicians

Voting is only part of the legislative process. You need to be in touch with your legislators,
to let them know your opinions on subjects important to you, and know
how to get your point across clearly and calmly.

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If you do not know your state representatives you can find who they are
at the Find Your Connecticut Legislator.

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NEVER ASSUME that if a politician is from a different political party or has spoken out in public that favors one side of an issue or another, that they will not listen to hear another point of view. That is their responsibility - to hear varied opinions - and you can hold them to hearing you out. But you need to plan strategically.

WRITE, FAX OR E-MAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS

1) Use plain or personal stationery.
2) Use proper form of address.
3) Write legibly.
4) Keep it short and to the point. Let them know what you expect.
5) Address on issue per communication.
6) Outline essential information: bill number, title and description. If you don't know these items, you can look for them at the Connecticut Legislative Website.
7) Use your own words. Avoid form letters. Describe personal experiences and local impact.
8) Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, or e-mail.

CALLING YOUR LEGISLATORS

Note: If you cannot speak directly to your legislator or official, do not refuse to speak with a staff person. You may gain useful information and a helpful source for future reference.
1) Be prepared
     • Be brief and to the point
     • Have the key information written down: essential points of your position, bill number, title and description. If you don't know these items, you can look for them at the Connecticut Legislative Website.
     • Try to place call at crucial time for issue, e.g., before a key vote.
     • Use correct form of address, e.g., Senator Smith, not Joe.
2) Present your position briefly
     • Identify yourself and where you live.
     • One issue per call.
     • Be factual and honest.
     • Use your own words.
     • Mention how issue will affect your district or community or organization.
3) Ask for their views
     • Try to find out their position and how they will vote.
     • Keep tone friendly, even if their position does not agree with your own.
4) End the conversation politely
     • Thank the officials.
     • Offer to send information on your issue.

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INFORMATION SOURCES: [1] The Connecticut League of Women Voters publishes a number of handy pamphlets on legislative advocacy. The material above came from The Art of Advocacy pamphlet. [2] You can find out handy tips on how to best prepare to testify (in person or in writing) before the Legislature using the Guide for Reaching State Legislators and Testifying at Hearings. [3] For the online savvy, check out the Using the Internet to Make Democracy Work pamphlet. [4] Finally, the Connecticut Legislative Website can provide you names and contact phone numbers to state legislators.