Aaron and Bill sit down with David Willms and Mike Butler to discuss the recently introduced the RETURN Act and how it would dismantle the world’s most successful conservation program and begin a cascade effect that would set back America conservation in myriad ways. We walk through a refresher on the Pittman-Robertson Act – what it is, how it works, why it is so successful and why we need to protect by all means possible. Then we pivot to the RETURN Act – what it is, why it came about, how terrible it would be for American conservation and why we need to step up to stop it dead in its tracks.

Links:

https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2022/7-13-22-Dismantling-Pittman-Robertson-Will-Harm-Wildlife

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-federal-proposal-to-gut-wildlife-funding-for-states/id1395671263?i=1000568850775

https://www.wildfowlmag.com/editorial/new-congressional-bill-threatens-pittmanrobertson-act-wildlife-restoration-act/462140?fbclid=IwAR25dzoemzvU-Vm-xJoK1J4g8t6ABZAHrMjr7fClzrzrIFw8Ou92m2czpAE

https://tnwf.org/new-bill-would-gut-conservation-funding/

Show notes:

5:08 -  Aaron shares a little background on this episodes guests.

7:56 -  The group shares what they have been doing outside recently.

13:05 – David explains the Pittman-Robertson Act. Why do we have it and what it does?

19:38 – Mike discusses the significance of this legislation in Tennessee alone.

20:36 – What would it look like from state to state if we didn’t have the Pittman-Robertson Act?

24:02 - How is it funded? Who pays it? When do they pay it?

26:01 - Mike talks about the North American model of conservation and why Pittman-Robertson is integral to it.

29:31 – David lines out how much conservation funding comes from Pittman-Robertson and how it’s growing every year.

33:39 – Highlighting the 2nd Amendment and how it relates.

35:16 – What does the Return Act do exactly?

42:27 – Where did the concept of the Return Act come from? Let’s also highlight the conflict of interest at play here…

46:43 – Mike points out some fallacies in the proposed legislation and the press release from Rep. Clyde.

52:35 – It’s incredibly rare when a member of congress goes through the active process of removing their name from the list of cosponsors for a proposed bill. This is happening right now with the Return Act. Get informed! Call your congressman.  

55:37 – What about the those who might like to see the majority of conservation funding coming from somewhere else besides the sporting community?

59:10 – Closing statements. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

“A man who doesn’t speak has no advantage over a man who can’t – so use your voice.” –Bill Cooksey

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