League of Ohio Sportsmen names State Senator Jimmy Stewart "2008 Conservation Legislator of the Year"

By Larry S. Moore

The League of Ohio Sportsmen recently recognized State Senator Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens) as the 2008 Conservation Legislator of the Year. The award was present at the 101st annual League Convention which was held in Marietta, Ohio.

Senator Stewart was recognized for his sponsorship and leadership in fighting wildlife poaching in Ohio.

Senator Stewart, along with then-Rep. Bob Latta (now Congressman Latta), sponsored House Bill 238 to combat the deer poaching problem. Senator Stewart was serving as a Representative in the Ohio House at the time this legislation was introduced and passed.

The bill significantly reformed the restitution value placed on illegally taken deer. The legislation allows the restitution value to be determined based on record book scoring of the deer's antler and the commercial value of the antlers.

One of the first cases was in Ross County, where two violators were found guilty. They were accessed a restitution amount of $12,998. Under the previous law the value would have been $400. This legislation has put poachers on notice that the state is serious about protecting the wildlife resources.

Stewart is a multiple endorsee of this PAC and we salute him for his willingness to stand with the sportsmen and women of Ohio in our efforts to promote the Second Amendment and hunting. We applaud Rep. Stewart's leadership in protecting the wildlife of Ohio.

Buckeye Firearms recognizes the important role of Ohio's wildlife resources in the economy of our state. We support the efforts of the Division of Wildlife who investigate poachers and bring them to justice. Poachers steal a valuable resource and deprive the law-abiding hunters the opportunity to take trophy white-tailed deer in fair chase.

Congratulations to Senator Jimmy Stewart from all of us at Buckeye Firearms Association.

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Association and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award and 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year.