News Category: Wildlife Management

(July 24, 2026) – Salem, OR – The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) today celebrated the failure of Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28), the so-called “People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act,” after the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division announced the measure failed to gather enough valid signatures to qualify for the November 3, […]

Why It Matters: In response to an estimated budget shortfall between $2-$12 billion, every agency in Washington state has been instructed to begin a budget reduction exercise. Natural resource agencies, while only representing 1.4% of the state’s budget, are not exempt. With a portion of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) budget supplemented by the state’s general fund, we could see cuts to […]

Why It Matters: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was designed to recover species and create a pathway toward long-term conservation. As grizzly bear populations continue to recover across parts of the West, proposals providing states and Tribes with greater management authority represent an important next step. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) supports science-based wildlife management and believes successful recovery should be accompanied by management flexibility […]

Why It Matters: Learn-to-trap programs offer great opportunities for individuals who have little to no experience with trapping to learn new skills. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have mentors to introduce them to our time-honored outdoor traditions, and not having the proper knowledge can be a barrier for youth or first-time trappers. Recognizing this, […]

Why It Matters: Once abundant throughout much of the Eastern United States, Eastern Elk were extirpated from North Carolina by 1800 due to unregulated hunting and loss of habitat. However, thanks to careful science-based wildlife management and sustained and significant investments by sportsmen and women, elk now roam the mountains of Western North Carolina. Through a highly regulated permit management system, North Carolina’s first elk season would […]

Why It Matters: The Arizona State Legislature concluded its 2026 legislative session on June 13, adjourning sine die after reaching a budget agreement with Governor Katie Hobbs. During the final weeks of session, Governor Hobbs signed 77 bills and vetoed 88. Several pieces of legislation impacting Arizona’s sportsmen and women advanced this year, while others failed to reach the finish line.  Highlights:  As […]

Why It Matters: Delaware was the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thus enshrining it as the “First State.” While it is the “First State,” it is also the second smallest state by total land area in the entire U.S. Regardless of its size, Delaware continues to punch above its weight class when […]

Why It Matters: The regulations set forth by state wildlife agencies on trapping methods are among the most complex and comprehensive of any laws concerning wildlife harvest today. In 1985, the Canadian government attempted to establish a world standard for humane mammal traps through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Among those responsible for setting […]

Why It Matters: Every year, many state fish and wildlife agencies consider updates to their hunting permit allocation and adjustments to their hunting seasons. Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners (NGPC) are currently discussing changes to the number of deer tags that limits the number of personal deer tags an induvial hunter can receive, and changes to the mountain lion hunting season. It is critical for hunters to stay up to […]

Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women are the original conservationists, and while much of our interest can be traced back to the critters that we pursue, the conservationist mentality that we share also provides an inherent appreciation for the species and processes that ultimately contribute to our opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Pollinators are unsung heroes […]

Why It Matters: The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission is moving forward with rulemaking on a proposed ban on the commercial sale, barter, or trade of pelts, hides, and associated products from wild furbearers taken in Colorado. This follows the Commission’s March 2026 vote to advance the petition, proposed by anti-trapping organizations, despite CPW staff recommendations for denial and strong opposition from sportsmen. […]

Why It Matters: As is with much of the country, turkey hunting continues to be wildly popular among hunters across the Southeast. Turkey hunting traditions run deep throughout the region, and the pursuit generates millions of dollars through the “user pays – public benefits” structure that is the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). From recruiting the next generation of […]