SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County hunters and fishermen have a new season to consider that doesn't involve deer, dove, ducks or a species of fish.

Election season is underway and that point was hammered repeatedly during the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation's Meet the Candidates Cookout at the Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department on Saturday.

State Reps. Bill Hitchens and Jon Burns, and state Sen. Jack Hill vowed to protect the interests of outdoor enthusiasts. The  Republicans are ardent supporters of gun rights.

"The Republican legislature under a Republican governor has done a good job of protecting and expanding your rights in Georgia," Hill said.

The senator warned that sportsmen won't like the results if Democrats seize power on Nov. 6.

"... If the Democrats win the governor's chair, there is going to be a fight every day about something," Hill said. "It will be money one day, it will be hunting and fighting rights one day, and it will gun control another day."

Hill urged GHFF members to support Brian Kemp for governor. Kemp is locked in a tight battle for Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Burns voiced support for Kemp and the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Amendment, listed as Amendment 1 on the ballot. The measure, which had GHFF input, would set aside 80 percent of the existing sales and use tax on outdoor sporting goods to the protection of Georgia's lands, water and wildlife without raising or creating  new taxes or fees.

Burns also touted Hitchens, the lone member of the local state legislative delegation who has an opponent in November. He is being challenged by Democrat Adam Bridges of Pooler.

"Bill has been a champion for us in this county for many years and he is a champion for Second Amendment rights," Burns said. "If you don't think Second Amendment rights will change in November if the other party takes over, you have another thought coming."

See the Sept. 19 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.