The Daily Texas Outdoor Digest is sent to your inbox to keep you up to date about hunting, fishing, conservation and outdoors pursuits making headlines and going viral in the Lone Star State and beyond. It’s free, so subscribe today!
Here’s what’s worth reading today, Friday, July 24, 2020:
Texas weather can become dangerous quickly in hunting, fishing pursuits
Great American Outdoors Act passes with bipartisan support
This Wednesday marked the passing of the Great American Outdoors Act, which garnered a rare, sweeping bipartisan support when it made its way through Congress. The bipartisan unity enjoyed yesterday by the historic conservation and public lands bill comes at a time of national crisis, as the country continues to contend with the coronavirus pandemic and prepares for negotiations over how to address the economic and public health fallout from the spread of the disease.
Back in June the bill was approved by the Senate in a 73-25 vote before landing at the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, where 81 Republicans joined 229 Democrats in their vote to pass the act. This final vote now sends the Great American Outdoors Act to President Trump for his signature, of which he has already expressed his support.
“We MUST protect our National Parks for our children and grandchildren,” wrote President Trump on Twitter. “I am calling on the House to pass the GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT today.”
Timing is unclear on when the president is expected to sign it, but the bill could become law within the next several days.
Approval of the bill represents a rare victory for environmentalists during the president’s time in office, who is known for attempting to roll back more than 100 environmental rules and protections such as the National Environmental Policy Act.
It also means a win for the two Republican senators who pushed for its passage and are both facing competitive reelection races this year in swing states where the president’s popularity is sinking: Cory Gardner of Colorado and Steve Daines of Montana.
Man charged in New Year’s Day hunting accident that killed a man, 9-year-old girl
A South Carolina man has been arrested and now faces charges stemming from a hunting accident that happened on New Year’s Day.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said four hunters were attempting to move deer, also known as driving deer, on Barracada Road in Walterboro when two of them were shot after being mistaken for a deer.
Those hunters were later identified as 30-year-old Kim Drawdy and his 9-year-old daughter, Lauren. The accident happened in the woods behind Drawdy’s house. It was the last day of deer hunting season.
Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey said both victims died from “buckshot wounds to the torso” and ruled the death accidental. A spokesperson for the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office on Friday confirmed Sean Michael Peterson was arrested on Wednesday and is charged with the shooting death of Drawdy and his daughter.
7 years strong, Latino Conservation Week spotlights overlooked nature stewards
Refugio Mariscal has always felt a deep interest in the natural world. Mariscal grew up in Lake County, Illinois, and spent his childhood playing in a creek near his parents’ home. He spent pretty much all day outside, Mariscal said.
“From a young age, I felt that curiosity about nature,” he recalls.
That is why Mariscal is a champion of Latino Conservation Week, an annual event currently celebrating its seventh year, from July 18-26.
This week is attached to a handful of goals. First and foremost: Getting people outdoors, and inspiring them to protect nature.
Another ambition is to make policymakers, as well as the public, aware of the role Latino communities play in conservation, says Jessica Godinez. Godinez is the conservation program associate at the Hispanic Access Foundation. The HAF also partners with local and national organizations to plan activities for Latino families throughout the week.
“More than anything, we want our community to be seen in the outdoors as recreationalists and an integral part of environmental and ocean conservation,” Godinez said.
Other Stuff That Might Tickle Your Fancy
Get those lines in the water! Foaming tuna! #AccurateFishing pic.twitter.com/e2CTNymIUj
— Accurate Fishing (@AccurateFishing) July 24, 2020
Stay in the Know With The Daily Texas Outdoor Digest
If you haven’t subscribed yet, there’s no better time than right now (We hate spam and we won’t share your information with anyone. That’s just not cool):
