A sportsman's take on the presidential election

Every 4 years during the elections I have always given a perspective on the candidates from the standpoint of those of us who enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hunters and fishermen. Each person has certain things that they deem more important than others and its those things that help shape the way they vote on certain issues and or candidates. Obviously for me the stance of a candidate regarding things such as the second amendment, public lands and usage as well as environmental issues are high on my list. Using factors such as those mentioned its hard to deny the fact that our President, Donald Trump, is easily the clear choice of those who hunt, fish, and enjoy the outdoors.

In March of 2019 President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act which provides the necessary funds, dedicating up to $1.9 billion per year for five years to fund deferred maintenance projects identified by the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Education. These infrastructure updates will preserve our most important national treasures and give more American families opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Each year, millions of people from all over the world visit and enjoy our national parks. Yet today, more than 5,500 miles of paved roads, 17,000 miles of trails, and 24,000 buildings in our national parks are in need of maintenance improvements and The Great American Outdoors Act will help revamp many of those areas in need. This legislation is a huge boost to any and everyone who visits one of the many parks across the country.

Easily the most volatile subject concerning outdoorsmen is the second amendment stance that each candidate has taken. President Trump is huge proponent of the second amendment and has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and a wide range of law enforcement agencies as well. Joe Biden on the other hand has made it very clear that he wants to take away gun owners rights and is willing to do a variety of things to accomplish that goal. One of those tactics involves an enormous tax imposed on ammunition, gun magazines, firearms, and parts. Biden has enlisted failed presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke to be the one to “go after the guns”. Biden’s ultra left supporters would like nothing better than to disarm citizens and virtually destroy the second amendment in the process. Biden condemned the actions of armed citizens who prevented mass shootings in churches and other public gatherings by saying “they should not have weapons in any of those places”. The choice between the candidates on this issue is beyond crystal clear for anyone who enjoys the shooting sports.

Standing back and looking at the entire Presidential race I cannot remember ever seeing 2 more polarizing sides than what we have right now. I’m sure there have been other races between candidates of differing opinions but nothing so far has compared to this one. It’s a very clearly defined race as far as those who enjoy the outdoor sports are concerned and I would be shocked if that doesn’t show up at the ballot box in places where hunting, fishing are high on the priority list. Regardless of who you choose just be sure to make a choice and go vote because the next 4 years are up for grabs.