Rural Press Call: Tester Discusses Defending Hunters Education Act

In his monthly Rural Press Call, U.S. Senator Jon Tester discussed the Defending Hunters Education Act, which would force the Biden Administration to reverse course on the recent decision to prohibit the use of federal funds for hunter education and school archery classes.

"Hunting is a big part of our Montana way of life, whether it's the rifle, shotgun, or bow. Montanans make memories and fill their freezers every fall hunting," said Tester. "Part of preserving that tradition as well protecting our Second Amendment rights is making sure our kids have access to hunting, rifle sports, archery courses in our schools so that the next generation of Montanans know how to hunt and recreate safely. When the Biden administration announced they wouldn't be allowing federal programs going to things like hunter safety, I knew it was time to stand up for Montana, and that's why this month I introduced my Defending Hunters Education Act to force the Biden Administration to reverse the Department of Education's decision to stop local school districts from allowing federal resources to go to archery, gun safety, or hunter education programs."

Tester added he is confident they will get the Act passed this week.

Numerous Montana sportsmen and outdoor groups praised the Act, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

"Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) supports the Defending Hunters Education Act. As an organization that has invested nearly $2 million in school archery and hunters' education programs, we recognize the role these programs play in developing the next generation of safe and effective conservationists," said the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). "Schools that deliver these programs should not be penalized by the Department of Education because of a misinterpretation of Congressional intent. We support Senator Tester's legislation to correct this and keep school archery and hunting programs strong."

"The Biden Administration has this one flat-out wrong – school hunting and shooting sports education classes are part of our Montana way of life and need to be fully funded," said Tester. "That's why I'm working with Republicans and Democrats to stand up against D.C. bureaucrats who don't understand rural America, and I'll continue to beat the drum until our bipartisan bill gets across the finish line so that our students have access to these critical safety courses."