News Category: Public Lands

Why It Matters: Access remains one of the biggest factors influencing participation in hunting and fishing. The Department of the Interior’s (DOI) final rule expands opportunities for sportsmen and women across the country while continuing to advance the conservation mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has long supported expanding responsible access to public […]

Why It Matters: Hunting, particularly in states with limited public lands, requires state agencies to balance demand with competition among hunters which has become more apparent in recent years. Many states have attempted to achieve this balance by limiting opportunities for non-residents, often through reduced tag and permit availability or increased prices in an attempt to lower demand. While […]

Why It Matters: Access to quality hunting and fishing lands and waters comes in all shapes and sizes. However, regardless of the size of the property or quality of habitat, there is one common denominator when it comes to acquiring land – money. While hunters and anglers contribute through the “user pays – public benefits” structure that is the American […]

(June 18, 2026) – Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the America the Beautiful Act, a top priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), which seeks to reauthorize and build upon the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act. Our uniquely American federal public lands are central to our time-honored traditions […]

Washington, DC – June 10, 2026 – Moments ago, the leaders of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chairman Bruce Westerman, Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), and CSC Member and Ranking Member Huffman, introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250, reauthorizing a 2020 landmark public lands bill that is a top priority for […]

Why It Matters: Before the California legislature leaves for its summer recess, lawmakers continue to advance legislation that could impact the rights and privileges of sportsmen and women across the state. Several bills moving through the legislature this year would affect firearm ownership, hunter safety regulations, and youth participation in hunting and fishing traditions. These include Senate Bill 948, Assembly Bill 1987, […]

Why It Matters: Lack of access to quality hunting grounds is a leading barrier to participation for new and seasoned hunters alike. As populations grow and more pressure is put on wild landscapes, the demand for quality access to lands open to hunting has never been greater. Legislative efforts that ensure a no-net-loss of public hunting land are […]

Why It Matters: As newcomers recognize the many appeals that South Carolina has to offer, the Palmetto State continues to grow in population. With more people than ever on the landscape, finding access to quality hunting grounds will likely only become increasingly difficult. Thankfully, South Carolina offers a diverse array of public land hunting opportunities. Legislative efforts to ensure […]

Why It Matters: South Carolina, like many other southern coastal states, continues to see dramatic increases in new residents. Protecting access to quality public land hunting areas should be top of mind for policy makers in South Carolina, especially as populations increase and private land hunting opportunities become harder to come by. Efforts to establish a no net […]

Why It Matters: Last week, the Utah Legislature wrapped up the 67th General Session. During the state’s 45-day legislative session, one of the shortest in the nation, several bills impacting sportsmen and women passed through both chambers and now await action from Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Cox, who has until March 26 to sign or veto the bills.     Highlights:  Utah has one of the […]

Why It Matters: Across the Midwest, public hunting opportunities are particularly limited. Given that the vast proportion of midwestern states are held in private ownership, many sportsmen and women are relegated to hunting state and federal lands that are suffering from increased competition and, as a result, decreasing hunter satisfaction. For the sporting-conservation community, increasing…

Why it Matters: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides important hunting and fishing opportunities across the country. Despite the importance that FWS lands, particularly through the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and the National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS), play for sportsmen and women, there are often inconsistencies between state and federal regulations, as…