Who We Are - Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

[ Our Mission ]

Advancing America’s Sporting Heritage

America’s outdoor traditions depend on more than passion — they depend on policy. Since 1989, the nonprofit Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has led as the nation’s leading authority on sportsmen’s policy and the trusted voice for sportsmen and women in the halls of government. We work directly with lawmakers at the federal and state levels to shape smart conservation policy, defend access to public lands and waters, and advance the rights of America’s sporting community through our network of bipartisan sportsmen’s caucuses.

Engaging on more than 400 policy items each year and backed by over 200 years of combined conservation policy expertise, CSF delivers measurable results — averaging 200 policy victories annually and more than 1,600 total wins to date. These successes have protected hundreds of millions of dollars in conservation funding, expanded access and opportunity across hundreds of millions of acres, and stopped countless threats to our outdoor heritage. When critical issues arise, policymakers, industry leaders, and partner organizations turn to CSF for leadership — because protecting outdoor traditions requires trusted expertise and decisive action.

[ Our History ]

From 1989 to Today: Defining Sportsmen’s Policy

congressional sportsmen's caucus founding members

1989
A Movement Begins

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus are founded, building what becomes the largest bipartisan caucus in Congress — unmatched in membership and devoted exclusively to America’s sporting traditions and conservation policy.

1997
Hunting & Fishing Secured in Federal Law

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act becomes law, formally elevating hunting and fishing as priority public uses across the Refuge System.

2004
A National State Network is Born

The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) launches, creating what grows to become the most influential and only state legislative network advancing sportsmen’s policy in all 50 states.

2006
From Capitol Hill to the White House

President George W. Bush establishes the Sporting Conservation Council to advise the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on hunting, wildlife conservation, and recreational shooting — marking the beginning of CSF serving on similar advisory councils under every President since.

2009
Governors Step Forward

The Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) launches, uniting state executives behind proactive conservation policy and outdoor access leadership.

2010
Conservation Funding Reinforced

The Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act becomes law, strengthening the American System of Conservation Funding and ensuring sportsmen-generated dollars continue supporting wildlife and habitat conservation.

Hunter in orange vest walking next to body of water

2014
Expanding Sunday Hunting Access

Virginia repeals its longstanding Sunday hunting prohibition, allowing hunting on private lands and public waterways — expanding opportunity and marking a major access victory for sportsmen and women in the Commonwealth.

2016
Unmatched Legislative Reach

NASC membership surpasses 2,100 state legislators, cementing CSF’s position as the nation’s premier bipartisan sportsmen’s policy network.

Top down view of fisherman in a fishing boat

2018
Modernizing Recreation Fishing & Gubernatorial Momentum

The Modern Fish Act becomes law, prioritizing recreational fishing access and advancing science-driven fisheries management at the federal level. That same year marks the high-water mark for membership in the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) with 36 governors, reflecting unprecedented nationwide engagement in support of sportsmen’s policy.

2019
Landmark Conservation Package Enacted

The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act is signed into law — one of the most comprehensive public lands and conservation packages in decades.

2020
Access Protected During Crisis

During nationwide shutdowns, CSF leads efforts to designate firearms-related businesses as essential, reopen boat ramps and marinas, and secure or expand hunting and fishing access across multiple states. Outdoor access is protected when it matters most. Additionally, the Great American Outdoors Act becomes law — the first of its kind bill to meaningfully address the maintenance backlog on federal public lands.

2022
Fisheries Portfolio Launch & Suppressor Victories

CSF officially launches its Fisheries Policy Portfolio, expanding engagement on federal and state fisheries policy nationwide. That same year, the 41st state legalizes suppressor use for hunting, marking the success of 15 years of sustained advocacy spanning 22 state bills across 11 years.

Group of lawmakers stand together in a row

2024
National Momentum Accelerates

Florida becomes the 24th state to enshrine the Right to Hunt and Fish in its constitution. NASC membership surpasses 2,500 state legislators, while major anti-sportsmen ballot initiatives and numerous anti-firearm proposals are defeated across the nation — demonstrating the strength and scale of CSF’s policy leadership. CSF launches a dedicated Forestry Policy Portfolio and Forestry Advisory Council, broadening its conservation leadership to address habitat management, wildlife migration, and sustainable forest policy.

Hunters standing on high ridge looking across forest

2025
Protecting Public Lands & Expanding Access

CSF helps defeat a federal public lands sell-off, advances the MAPWaters Act into law, and supports new Sunday hunting opportunities on nearly 30 million acres in Connecticut and Pennsylvania — marking the culmination of 11 years of advocacy that secures more than 20 Sunday hunting bills across nine states and dramatically expands public access.