Why It Matters: After a month-long recess, California is back in session for August before adjourning on August 31. With only a few weeks remaining in the legislative session, lawmakers will make final decisions on several bills that could significantly impact California’s sportsmen and women. From firearm regulations to hunter safety and forest management, these […]
Why It Matters: Wildfires across North America cause tremendous, localized devastation that impacts both human populations and natural ecosystems relied on by sportsmen and women. Elsewhere, the smoke resulting from largescale wildfires represents a severe threat throughout much of the country due to air quality impacts such as that are currently affecting the Eastern United […]
Why It Matters: Educating federal policymakers about the challenges impacting private working forests and federal forests is key to advancing policy solutions to support healthy forests and wildlife habitat. The forest industry and the sportsmen’s community share goals for forest resiliency and conservation. Highlighting these shared priorities at a briefing helps move the needle on policies to improve the management of federal […]
Why It Matters: Prescribed burning enhances wildlife habitat, reduces wildfire risk, and improves forest health. Reducing regulatory and legislative barriers that restrict the use of prescribed fire will promote more controlled burning to support a wide range of wildlife species, including both nongame species and game species important to sportsmen and women. Highlights: On May 6, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Brian Kemp (Georgia) signed House Bill 983 into law, prohibiting counties and municipalities […]
Why It Matters: Improving the tax treatment of forest landowners following natural disasters is important for supporting the long-term viability of private working forests, which provide fish and wildlife habitat and places for sportsmen and women to hunt and fish. After a hurricane or other natural disaster, reforestation costs for landowners are significant. Providing tax relief for reforestation costs supports […]
Why It Matters: Legislation restricting forest management on State Demonstration Forests undermines the State Demonstration Forest System’s primary purpose, which is to educate the public about the benefits of multiple-use land management, including active forest management. They are called “State Demonstration Forests,” not “State Observation Forests,” for a reason. Dispelling misconceptions about forest management through education is essential for maintaining public support for […]
Why It Matters: Legislation that allows hunting and fishing on state public land to be banned based on a forest age class and prohibits sustainable forest management on Wildlife Management Areas, which are acquired and/or managed with revenue generated by sportsmen and women through the “user pays – public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding, sets a dangerous precedent and is […]
Why It Matters: Active forest management is more effective than passive or “hands-off” management for increasing forest resiliency, improving wildlife habitat, and increasing access for sportsmen and women. Legislation that prohibits or limits forest management practices, such as prescribed fire, is misguided and removes important tools for managing forests for wildlife. Educating policymakers about the importance of sustainable forest management to […]
March 18, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed four legislative priorities for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF): the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act of 2026, the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025, and the Save Our Sequoias (SOS) Act. Thanks to the active work of Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s […]
Why It Matters: Legislation that removes management flexibility on public lands by prohibiting sustainable forest management practices threatens forest resiliency and wildlife conservation. Other Northeastern states have introduced similar bills in recent years, and it is important for the sportsmen’s community to continue voicing their concerns and advocating for policies that promote active forest management to support our sporting traditions that depend […]
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 […]
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 […]