Why It Matters: The American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), driven by sportsmen and women, funds the vast majority of the critical wildlife and habitat programs throughout the United States. However, many Western state fish and wildlife agencies rely not only on ASCF funding but also supplemental funding from their state’s general fund. In states…
Why it matters: With many hunting seasons in the Northeast coming into focus in the next few weeks, sportsmen and women going afield should brush-up on new laws and regulations that could change their approach to the ’25-’26 hunting seasons. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was on the frontlines of advancing pro-sporting legislation and stopping…
Why It Matters: Legislatures that meet year-round still have outstanding opportunities to enact policies that benefit sportsmen and women. In Wisconsin, reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund would continue to provide hunters and anglers with access to the State’s storied fish and wildlife resources, while creating a new hunting season for sandhill cranes would help farmers…
Why It Matters: During their meeting on August 13, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have the opportunity to re-establish a black bear hunting season for the first time in a decade. If the vote is favorable, Florida sportsmen and women will have the opportunity to pursue a species in which their conservation…
Why It Matters: The Wyoming Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee’s upcoming meeting will shape legislation for the 2026 short session, impacting outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation, and some hunting license updates. Public input on proposed bill drafts is critical to ensure these policies reflect Wyoming’s values and priorities. Highlights: Several bill drafts were…
Why It Matters: Wolf management remains a contentious issue, balancing ecological health, livestock protection, and cultural values. Science-based decisions must be made by state commissions, utilizing data and recommendations from the agency biologists to ensure sustainable wolf populations while addressing conflicts with prey species and human interests. Highlights: Idaho’s Department of Fish and Game’s (IDFG)…
Why It Matters: After opening opportunities for nighttime hunting for coyotes in 2020, the Missouri Conservation Commission and Missouri Department of Conservation are weighing an expanded season to take advantage of the predator population control benefits associated with hunting, while also providing increased opportunities for coyote hunters. These opportunities highlight the mutual benefits that state…
Why It Matters: On Tuesday, July 22nd, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held a hearing on nearly 40 bills, two of which are designed to provide free hunting and fishing licenses to 100% disabled veterans at “free or no cost” (House Bill 3819 and House Bill 3858). Although intended to provide…
Why It Matters: Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of blue laws that were initially designed to encourage church attendance. At the time when these puritanical restrictions were enacted, other examples of activities illegal on Sundays included opening a store for business, drinking alcoholic beverages, and tilling your fields. Access is…
Why It Matters: Currently, in the First State, your “ordinary pocketknife” must be a folding knife having a blade no bigger than 3 inches in length and the act of opening the blade cannot be a mechanically assisted (what many states have erroneously defined as a “switchblade”). Senate Bill 108 (SB 108) repeals that requirement…
Why It Matters: Private landowners manage approximately 43% of Wyoming’s land mass, serving as vital partners in wildlife conservation and public access to recreational opportunities. On July 15, 2025, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission heard testimony from hunters, landowners, and legislators on proposed changes to the landowner tag rules. The diverse testimony highlighted the…
Why It Matters: Over the past couple of years, the mountain lion population in Nebraska has increased and is healthy. With the increase in population, Nebraska has been working on increasing opportunities for hunters to hit the field and hunt mountain lions. Since 2023, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) has approved two new…