News Category: Wildlife Management

Why It Matters: As signatures for Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 (The PEACE ACT) surpass 126,000 and the measure inches closer to the November 2026 ballot, sportsmen and women must understand its real-world consequences. Proponents’ claims paint a simplistic picture of humane wildlife management, but the reality involves devastating impacts on native species, agricultural lands, and the funding that sustains Oregon’s conservation […]

Why It Matters: Last month New Hampshire Fish and Game (NHFG) conducted a series of listening and comment sessions concerning long overdue license fee increases. The “user pays – public benefits” structure known as the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) provides critical annual funding for the NHFG to manage fish, wildlife, and other public trust […]

Why It Matters: Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session was not without its share of controversy . While it is important that sportsmen and women and our elected officials remain engaged and willing to have important conversations, controversy shouldn’t overshadow the victories accomplished in the Sooner State.  Highlights:  Unless you have been living under a rock, or lucky enough to spend the past five months in the field or […]

Why It Matters: License sales and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, motorboat fuel, and other sporting-related goods account for the largest source of conservation funding in the United States. This “user pays – public benefits” approach, known as the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), provides critical annual funding for the New Hampshire Fish and Game […]

Why It Matters: Unlike in many states, fish and wildlife management decision making is vested solely with a Commission in Missouri, which is informed by the professionals at the state’s fish and wildlife agency. As a result, legislative efforts that would impact sportsmen and women in other states are discussed, but their movement can be relatively limited during the legislative session. Still, it is critical […]

Why It Matters: The 2nd regular session of the 34th Alaska State Legislature recently concluded, delivering key victories for hunting, trapping, and guiding opportunities while highlighting ongoing challenges in advancing pro-sportsmen firearms legislation. Going forward, continued vigilance and advocacy will be essential to sustaining Alaska’s rich outdoor heritage, abundant wildlife, and the time-honored traditions that rely on science-based management and public access.  Highlights:  The Alaska legislative session provided a mix of meaningful advancements and notable setbacks for sportsmen and women, […]

Why it Matters: Legislative sessions in Iowa and Nebraska have adjourned for 2026, closing out the last active sessions in the Great Plains Region. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation was active in both states, working with legislators on introducing, and defeating, legislation that would have impacted sportsmen and women.   Highlights:  Iowa legislators introduced their fair share of sportsmen and women related bills this year, and many […]

Why It Matters: Sportspeople have always been conservation’s most dedicated advocates and its primary source of funding, and Colorado is no exception. Through the American System of Conservation Funding and its associated “user pays – public benefits” structure, this System ensures that sportspeople bear the brunt of the cost of professional wildlife management for all to enjoy. This session, Colorado’s sportspeople continued to lead the charge on conservation funding, pushing for dedicated […]

Why It Matters: From protecting sportsmen’s interests at the ballot box, to ensuring access to safe shooting ranges, to meeting the financial needs of conservation efforts, Michigan’s docket is packed with legislation that stands to positively impact sportsmen and women. With a little over six months remaining in the 2025-2026 session, there is plenty of work to be done to […]

Why It Matters: The People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, currently known as IP-28, threatens to criminalize longstanding traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping, farming, and even pest control by removing critical exemptions from Oregon’s animal cruelty statutes. If passed, the measure would upend access to local, quality meat resources for millions of Oregonians, devastate rural economies, and undermine the […]

Why It Matters: To say things in Augusta have been contentious over the ’25-’26 legislative session would be putting it mildly. Deep-rooted divides, partisan axe-grinding, and all-out obstructionism made advocacy efforts feel like a one-day hike up Everest. Despite the political climate in the state house, several wins were secured for sportsmen and women, but, but other important legislation unfortunately fell short. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) were able to deliver wins […]

Why It Matters: While legislation pertaining to sportsmen and women is primarily limited to the state fish and wildlife agency’s budget during Arkansas’ biannual fiscal session, 2026 has still been a great opportunity to promote support for sportsmen and women across the Natural State.  Highlights:  Earlier this month, the Arkansas State Legislature convened for the 2026 legislative session, an abbreviated fiscal session that takes place every even year. […]