One of the biggest bills in a generation comes up for a cloture vote in the U.S. Senate this Thursday. That means there must be 60 Senators who think that a bill widely praised by the NRA, Boone and Crockett Club, and just about every big sportsman’s organization should pass without bogging down in the time-tested stall tactics our elected officials like to engage in.

We’ve covered the details of the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 here before, but now that the election year frivolity is over, it’s time for Congress to get back to business. Before the Senate broke in October for some much-needed time away from lobbyists to campaign, the Senate voted on another procedural motion on this bill. The motion passed 84-12. That’s a commanding margin of victory for anyone who’s worked in the politics of outdoors recreation.

Even though you're probably burned out on "and I approve this message" commercials and maybe less than enamored with either presidential candidate, there is still a critical reason to drop a ballot in the box tomorrow, especially if you live in Kentucky, Idaho, Nebraska, or Wyoming. Those four states are giving voters the chance to have the right to hunt and fish written into their constitutions.

While there is no real threat of ban on hunting or fishing in those states, there's no language in the state constitutions to protect that right either. Thirteen other states already guarantee the right to hunt and fish with Vermont's amendment dating back to 1777.