Why it Matters: With the deer hunting season in full swing across the country, state fish and wildlife agencies recommend hunters get their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease. Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, is a fatal, degenerative disease occurring in both farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, caribou, and moose. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation encourages…
Why It Matters: For hunters, access alone does not lead to a satisfying experience. The quality of the habitat on the land being accessed, whether public or private, often determines whether a day afield ends with close encounters with the target species or, ideally, a punched tag. As the original conservationists and responsible stewards, it…
Why It Matters: There have been several issues impacting hunters and anglers in Florida so far in 2025. Everything from saving one of the most popular trophy bass fishing lakes in the world, re-establishing a black bear hunting season, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission restructuring, powers of game wardens, and more were on the…
Why It Matters: On October 21, 2025, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hearing featuring 55 bills, many of which would have a substantial impact on sportsmen and women’s access and opportunities, both in potentially good and bad ways. At least six bills addressed opening Sunday Hunting, multiple bills want…
Why It Matters: Through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses and tags, sportsmen and women provide the foundation for the American System of Conservation Funding. However, over time, the operational costs of state fish and wildlife agencies can exceed the revenue generated from these license and tag purchases, and legislatures must sometimes revisit the…
Why It Matters: Access to America’s public lands and waters are key to passing along our time-honored traditions to the next generation. After all, it is the hunters and anglers of tomorrow that will shoulder the responsibility of funding conservation through the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding…
Why It Matters: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission’s October 9, 2025, virtual meeting addressed current threats to wildlife health, habitat integrity, and hunting season frameworks. These decisions directly influence hunting opportunities, population sustainability, and access for sportsmen and women across the state. By prioritizing science-based adjustments and public input, the Commission reinforces Montana’s commitment…
Why it Matters: Across the Great Plains region, one of the most anticipated fall hunting seasons is opening soon. Pheasants stand as one of the most popular birds hunted in the Great Plains and offer opportunities for groups to get out and hunt together. However, the pheasant hunting season could have looked substantially different in…
Why It Matters: The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Game Management Advisory Commission (GMAC) plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that balance wildlife conservation with recreational hunting opportunities. As Hawaii grapples with ever-increasing ungulate populations and their impacts on native ecosystems, the Commission’s recent discussions highlight the need for data-driven, science-based…
Why It Matters: Louisiana and Florida are two of the most recent states to re-establish hunting seasons on black bears. While hunters cannot just go and buy tags or permits over the counter, they are throwing their names into the proverbial hat (lottery system) in hopes of drawing tags. Hunters are not the only ones…
Why It Matters: Opportunities for public engagement with state fish and wildlife agencies and commissions is an often-underappreciated part of wildlife management. During public comment periods, professionally trained biologists balance on-the-ground information on wildlife habitat and populations with the desires of the public that such agencies serve. Together, this system allows state agencies to communicate…
Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women in Tennessee and around the country continue to step up to the plate to fund professional, science-based fish and wildlife management. Dubbed the original conservationists, hunters and anglers provide the vast majority of conservation funding in North America through the “user pays – public benefits” structure that is the…