News

Administration Wades in for Hunters, Anglers, and a National Treasure

Why It Matters: The Department of Justice’s February 17 court brief defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) veto of the proposed Pebble Mine reinforces long-standing protections for one of America’s most important hunting and fishing landscapes – the Bristol Bay watershed. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) applauds the Trump Administration for reaffirming that clean water, healthy fish and wildlife habitat, and …

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Celebrating Wins for Sportsmen in New Mexico’s 2026 Legislative Session

Why It Matters: Last week, the New Mexico Legislature wrapped up its second session of the 57th legislature; a 30-day budget “sprint” session in which a handful of strong sportsmen’s bills passed through both chambers with flying colors and an anti-sportsmen’s bill died quietly. During the session, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) coordinated several efforts both inside and out of the capital to grow the New Mexico Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and ensure that sportsmen and women had strong …

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West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Lights the Way for More Prescribed Burning

Why It Matters: By reducing barriers limiting prescribed burning on private property in a state that is more than 83% privately owned, Senate Bill 886 will have a significant impact on wildlife habitat in West Virginia. Whether burning to reduce wildfire risk or to enhance habitat diversity, popular game species, including wild turkey, White-tailed deer, and black bear, as well as nongame species that …

West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Lights the Way for More Prescribed Burning Read More »

Threat to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation Introduced in Nebraska

Why It Matters: In recent years, there has been an increase in legislation proposed to allow landowners to transfer or sell their limited landowner hunting permits. Allowing landowners to profit from access to public trust wildlife resources on the basis of landownership contradicts foundational conservation principles that have guided American fish and wildlife management policies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s …

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New York “Big 5” Trophy Ban Returns and Advances to Third Reading in the Senate

Why It Matters: African “Big 5 trophy” bans would ban the import of products from the “Big 5” African animals (which includes elephants, cape buffalo, rhinoceros, and more). Conservation of these species is far more complicated in Africa than our own practices in the USA. Simply put, if these animals (and others) lose their monetary value, locals no longer have an incentive to conserve and maintain populations resulting in unchecked harvest and the categorizing of many as vermin and …

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Bill to Establish 2A Sales Tax Holiday Passes Alabama House

Why It Matters: Outdoor sporting goods tax holidays offer sportsmen and women an opportunity to purchase the equipment they need tax-free, while at the same time benefiting conservation programs through increasing sales of firearms, ammunition, and other items that are subject to federal excise taxes. Highlights: On January 29, HB 360 was introduced by Alabama Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Member Chris Sells and …

Bill to Establish 2A Sales Tax Holiday Passes Alabama House Read More »

Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Oppose Initiative Petition 28

Why It Matters: The Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) has issued strong opposition to Oregon Initiative Petition 28 (IP-28), a ballot measure that, if passed, would criminalize lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, along with other traditionally accepted practices such as wildlife management, pest control, animal husbandry, and agriculture. Highlights: IP-28 would eliminate exemptions from animal abuse statutes for lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife management, pest control, and standard agricultural practices. The loss …

Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Oppose Initiative Petition 28 Read More »

Indiana Natural Resources Commission Spared the Axe in Government Efficiency Battle

Why It Matters: Natural Resources Commissions provide sportsmen and women with a public forum in which they can voice their opinions and concerns and thereby help shape fish and wildlife regulations. Eliminating the Indiana Natural Resource Commission (NRC), as Indiana HB 1003 would have done as originally passed by the House, would have weakened the …

Indiana Natural Resources Commission Spared the Axe in Government Efficiency Battle Read More »

CSF Highlights Collaborative Stewardship on Shared Outdoor Lands at Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Why It Matters: If done correctly, bringing groups together around a shared commitment to stewardship can help ensure safe access, strong conservation outcomes, and a lasting outdoor legacy. By recognizing the critical role sportsmen and women play in funding wildlife management and habitat conservation, collaboration and mutual respect can be encouraged to strengthen both Arkansas’s natural resources and …

CSF Highlights Collaborative Stewardship on Shared Outdoor Lands at Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Read More »

Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leads Effort to Facilitate Prescribed Burning

Why It Matters: Prescribed burning enhances wildlife habitat, improves forest health, and reduces wildfire risk. Reducing regulatory barriers to prescribed burning provides clarity for the state, local governments, and the public, while reducing inefficiencies and risks for prescribed burners and landowners. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Coastal Plain, Georgia’s forest resources and wildlife will benefit from increasing the use of prescribed …

Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leads Effort to Facilitate Prescribed Burning Read More »

Dedicated Conservation Funding Legislation Front and Center in Tennessee

Why It Matters: Hunters and anglers generate the vast majority of state level funding for conservation through the “user pays – public benefits” structure that is the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). State fish and wildlife agencies rely on funds generated by sportsmen and women through sporting license sales and excise tax revenue from the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration programs to …

Dedicated Conservation Funding Legislation Front and Center in Tennessee Read More »

Maryland Reintroduces “Sin Tax” Bill on Firearm and Ammo Purchases

Why It Matters: Maryland House Bill 197 (HB 197) and its cross-file, Senate Bill 118 (SB 118), seek to impose an additional 11% excise tax on firearms dealers for the sale of firearms, accessories, and ammunition to fund gun violence prevention and intervention programs. Legislation like this discriminates against law-abiding sportsmen and women in the …

Maryland Reintroduces “Sin Tax” Bill on Firearm and Ammo Purchases Read More »

First Hearing Held for New Hampshire’s Right to Hunt and Fish

Why It Matters: Though hunting, fishing, and harvesting wildlife (including by trapping) have long been an American tradition, dating back to before the first Europeans arrived in North America, only in recent decades has the “right” to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife come into question. To establish in perpetuity what has been assumed for centuries, twenty-four states have …

First Hearing Held for New Hampshire’s Right to Hunt and Fish Read More »

CSF Priority Legislation on the Move in Mississippi

Why It Matters: The sale of hunting and fishing licenses makes up the bedrock of conservation funding in the United States. While efforts to provide certain groups of well-deserving individuals with a financial break on license fees are commendable, it threatens funding that benefits resources held in the public trust. Additionally, science-based wildlife management depends on reliable data to determine harvestable …

CSF Priority Legislation on the Move in Mississippi Read More »

CSF Backs U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Fire Project in Vermont

Why It Matters: The proposed forest health improvement treatments on the Green Mountain National Forest, particularly prescribed fire, support fire-adapted plant communities and promote species (like oaks) that are critical for wildlife. Fire suppression leads to changes in forest composition and structure and builds fuels, increasing wildfire risk to nearby communities. Environmental interests criticized the project, and it is important for the sporting-conservation community to support the work of trained foresters, biologists, …

CSF Backs U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Fire Project in Vermont Read More »

House Agriculture Leadership Releases First Draft of 2026 Farm Bill

Why It Matters: Generally reauthorized every five years, the last full iteration of the Farm Bill expired in late-2023. Representing one of the largest and most important pieces of legislation passed by Congress, the Farm Bill covers topics ranging from crop insurance to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps). The Farm Bill’s provisions touch nearly all Americans …

House Agriculture Leadership Releases First Draft of 2026 Farm Bill Read More »

Looming Budget Shortfalls in the Pacific Northwest Threaten Conservation Efforts

Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies in the Pacific Northwest are facing significant budget pressures amid economic challenges and competing demands for decreasing state general funds. In Oregon and Washington, directives for cuts and proposed reductions threaten core conservation programs, habitat management, and recreational access that sportsmen and women rely on. Highlights In preparation for the 2026 …

Looming Budget Shortfalls in the Pacific Northwest Threaten Conservation Efforts Read More »

Final Step for Better Data and More Fishing Opportunities for South Atlantic Red Snapper

Why It Matters: Poor recreational catch data has been the Achilles heel for angler access to the highest biomass of South Atlantic red snapper in history. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been encouraging a state-led approach for red snapper management in the South Atlantic since the Gulf Council officially implemented state management in 2020. That time has finally come, …

Final Step for Better Data and More Fishing Opportunities for South Atlantic Red Snapper Read More »

Drone-Assisted Game Recovery Legislation Introduced in the Great Plains

Why It Matters: Drone technologies present an opportunity for lawful hunters to minimize harvest loss and increase recovery rates. Recognizing this, states like Iowa and South Dakota have introduced legislation to allow the use of drones to recover mortally wounded game, which the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been active in supporting. Highlights: The Congressional …

Drone-Assisted Game Recovery Legislation Introduced in the Great Plains Read More »

Sportsmen-Focused Legislation Takes Shape in Early 2026 Arizona Session

Why It Matters: The 2026 Arizona Legislative Session is already off to a strong start, with several proposed bills that are relevant to sportsmen and women across the state. This includes complimentary licenses for veterans which would impact conservation funding in Arizona and membership requirements for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, which could potentially restrict access and opportunity for sportsmen and women. Highlights: Arizona Senate Bill 1155, currently assigned …

Sportsmen-Focused Legislation Takes Shape in Early 2026 Arizona Session Read More »

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