What Has SAM Done For You Lately?
Three full-time lobbyists at the Maine Legislature
Testimony at all important hearings on outdoor issues
Representation on all major sportsmen’s committees and projects
Representation at DIF&W and other state agencies
Leading the fight against animal-rights, anti-gun, and anti-hunting groups
Recent Victories and Achievements
Participated in campaign for new $12 million Land for Maine’s Future Bond
Initiated outside professional assessment of Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Advocated for $3.5 million of General Fund monies for DIF&W – highest amount ever received
Protected native Brook Trout and named them the state’s “Heritage” fish
Created ambitious Strategic Plan
Created Hunting Heritage program partnership with DIF&W
Previous Major Victories
Led campaign to defend the moose hunt in a 1983 referendum
Led campaign to defend the bear hunt in a 2004 referendum
Led campaign for Constitutional protection for the revenues of the Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Led campaign to create Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund in partnership with the Maine Audubon Society
Advocated to dedicate 10 percent of Land for Maine’s Future funding to water access
Advocated to create fall fishing opportunities statewide
Led campaign for bond issue and expansion of state’s fish hatchery system
Advocated for major land conservation easements and projects
Current Projects
Conservation Education Fund with $100,000 budget
Outdoor Kids website and magazine
Landowner Relations Project – funded with grant from Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund
Pickering Commission – working to simplify and clarify hunting laws and rules
Fishing Initiative Committee – to improve fishery resources and expand fishing opportunities
Six major fishing projects including Classic Landlocked Salmon Initiative
$1 million capital campaign to build Maine Sportsmen’s Conference Center
Wildfire – Maine’s only television talk show focused on sportsmen’s issues
State of Maine Sportsmen’s Show – the biggest and best
Sportsman’s Congress – annual conference of outdoor leaders and media
SAM PAC – 80% of endorsed candidates elected in 2004 election
Participation in the following (partial list)
Landowner Sportsmen Relations Advisory Council Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Board
Forest Legacy Advisory Committee Sportsmen’s/Forest Landowners Alliance
Dept. of Transportation’s Water Access Project DIF&W Brook Trout Working Group
Services to SAM members
SAM News – information on all important issues and projects
Monthly Raffles – ATVs, guns, and more Rapid Response Team – grassroots action organization
Annual Membership Survey SAM’s Wilderness Travel services and Gold MasterCard