Why it matters: The Chesapeake Bay is one of the largest estuaries in the United States, boasting its infamous brackish (partially salty, partially fresh) waters deriving from the Atlantic Ocean and 64,000-square-miles of watershed from its neighboring states. The Bay is known for many things, but it is well recognized for its importance as the …
New Survey of Young Striped Bass Continues to Point to Trouble for Atlantic Fishery Read More »
Why It Matters: The sportsmen’s community in Washington State has supported WDFW’s conservation efforts since its inception. Unfortunately, with recent Commission appointments, the hunting and angling community has seen our input discounted. In fact, several on the Commission have frequently proposed naming wildlife (or “non-human life”) as stakeholders of the Commission. It is important that …
Why It Matters: The Louisiana black bear is one of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories in Louisiana in recent memory. Louisiana has not held a black bear hunt in the state since the late 1980s. However, there are now harvestable surpluses of black bears in specific Bear Management Areas (BMAs). With the increase in populations …
Louisiana Black Bear Season Could Be on the Horizon Read More »
Why it matters: Year after year, the cost associated with natural resource management, as with all things, continues to increase. Given the “user pays – public benefits” framework of the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), ensuring that license prices keep up with inflation helps state fish and wildlife agencies continue their work of providing …
Much Needed License Fee Increases Coming to the Great Plains Read More »
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an always fatal neurologic disease caused by an environmentally resilient, infectious protein called a prion that infects both farmed and free-ranging cervids. CWD was first discovered in Colorado during the late 1960s and was subsequently detected in wild deer in 1981. While CWD was first detected in …
Why It Matters: On September 29, 2023, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted testimony in opposition to New Hampshire House Bill 512 (HB 512) – An Act Exempting Firearms Manufactured in New Hampshire from Federal Laws and Regulations. HB 512, if passed, is very likely to result in an unintended and consequential diminishment to the …
New Hampshire Bill Would Potentially Jeopardize Pittman-Robertson Eligibility Read More »
Why It Matters: California’s law-abiding hunters and recreational shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation through various wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays — public benefits” program, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for …
Governor Newsom Signs California Firearm and Ammunition Tax Bill into Law Read More »
Why It Matters: Historically, the Hunt Fish Rule has been an effort to promote access for sportsmen and women. While the most recent proposed Hunt Fish Rule does seek to expand access, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) remains concerned about efforts to restrict the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle in certain National Wildlife …
Final ’23 – ’24 Hunt Fish Rule Still Pending, CSF’s Concerns Remain Read More »
Why it Matters: Generational differences in approaches to deer hunting, and deer herd management, often reflect the dominant management strategy in place when a certain generation began hunting. For many hunters who remember the “buck-only” days that dominated much of the 20th century, the idea of harvesting a doe can seem sacrilegious. However, given the …
Oh Deer! The Role of Hunters in Managing White-Tailed Deer Populations Read More »
Why it Matters: Scientifically driven and regulated hunting is the linchpin of conservation both domestically in the United States and across the world. A permitting process is part of ensuring sustainable and healthy populations across the globe. Given the importance of hunting-conservation programs, permit determinations are often made on an application-by-application basis, which can require …
Why It Matters: The previously amended version of House Bill 1300 sought to transfer $150,000,000 from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), which would have also jeopardized around $40,000,000 in federal conservation dollars for the state; a potential total combined revenue loss of more than $190,000,000 for conservation funding. The PGC has been tasked with managing …
Why It Matters: Advocacy regarding policies that impact anglers often focus on today’s threats and opportunities rather than looking down the road at what the future may hold. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) recently surveyed many of their members to gather perspectives on our community’s strength and weaknesses, as well as to identify future opportunities …
Why It Matters: The recreational boating and fishing community understands the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales (NARW) and fully supports efforts to do so. However, a new proposed rule regarding vessel speed reductions along much of the Atlantic seaboard will have significant implications for offshore anglers and boaters at certain times of the …
CSF and Partners Provide Funding Recommendations for Whale Conservation Efforts Read More »
Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, sportsmen and women across the nation celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD). This year’s efforts from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) helped secure proclamations commemorating the day from 39 governors and the President of the United States. Governors from all 12 Southeastern region states signed NHFD proclamations …
Why it Matters: The use of ballot initiatives to restrict or ban hunting circumvents the legislative and regulatory process that allows for input by professionals, opportunities for revisions, and considerations of broader impacts within the state’s overall science-based management plan. These initiatives can allow wildlife management decisions to be made based on emotion rather than …
Proposed Colorado Ballot Initiative Would Ban All Mountain Lion and Bobcat Hunting Read More »
Why It Matters: After the Arkansas Legislature passed a bill to create a discounted resident Youth Lifetime Combination License during the 2023 Legislative Session, a limited number are officially for sale across the Natural State. This discounted license will provide parents and legal guardians the opportunity to invest in their child’s lifetime future as a …
Why It Matters: California’s law-abiding hunters and shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays — public benefits” structure, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the California …
Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, the sporting community celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) across the country. Thanks to the efforts of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CFS) regional and federal staff, 38 Governors and the President of the United States, issued proclamations commemorating the day. In New England alone, Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus …
Why it Matters: The opinions of hunters often play an important role in adjusting hunting regulations to achieve hunter satisfaction and, most importantly, meeting the conservation needs of culturally and economically important game species. Recent efforts to understand hunter perspectives in Missouri represent this notion in action, likely to result in positive changes for the …
Missouri Hunters Asked to Talk Turkey on Potential Regulatory Changes Read More »
Why It Matters: As deer seasons are opening across the Southeast, sportsmen and women should not rule out urban properties to hang a tree stand or set up a ground blind. Several states in the Southeast offer urban archery seasons which expand deer hunting opportunities and help to manage human/wildlife conflicts. Urban archery seasons are …
Urban Archery Seasons Provide Expanded Hunting Opportunities in the Southeast Read More »
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