First-Ever Sportfishing-Focused Legislation to Pass Congress Heads to President’s Desk The U.S. House of Representatives passed S.1520, the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). Today’s vote was the final step toward sending the landmark legislation to the President’s desk after it passed the Senate on December 17. “The Modern Fish Act …
On December 10, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Rick Snyder appointed Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Upper Midwestern States Manager Nick Buggia to serve on the Michigan Wildlife Council (MWC). The council was created in 2013 to implement and oversee a public education campaign about the importance of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and …
Michigan: Governor Appoints CSF Staff to Wildlife Council Read More »
By Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager On December 12, a bill that would reduce the minimum age for hunting big game on public land passed the Michigan legislature and now heads to Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Rick Snyder’s desk. House Bill 5711 was introduced by Michigan Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Triston Cole. House …
Earlier today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act (S. 1520), also known as the Modern Fish Act. This broadly supported, bipartisan legislation marks an historic first step towards recognizing the importance of more than 9 million saltwater anglers in the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), our nation’s primary federal fisheries law. “We …
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator With a twist of poetic justice, New Jersey’s contentious bear hunting season was extended earlier this month amidst turmoil, protests, and the Governor openly calling for its cancellation. Governor Phil Murphy issued an executive order in August urging the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to shut down …
New Jersey: Governors, Hunters, and Bears! Oh My! Read More »
Ryan Zinke did not waste any time to demonstrate his commitment to America’s sportsmen and women and his commitment to advancing our time-honored sporting heritage. On his first day as Secretary of the Interior in March 2017, he gathered leaders from the sportsmen’s conservation community to witness him signing two Secretarial Orders for sportsmen’s access …
Ryan Zinke Leaves Lasting Legacy for Sportsmen and Women Read More »
On December 11, the Interstate Transport Act of 2018 (S.1092) passed the Senate on unanimous consent. This bipartisan bill is a priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Senator Mike Enzi (WY). S. 1092 would protect individuals with a knife who are traveling across state lines from state and …
Senate Passes Important Knife Transport Legislation Read More »
After weeks of discussion between U.S. House and Senate conferees, the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report has officially passed Congress, and includes a robust Conservation Title that aligns with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) priorities. “CSF applauds Farm Bill 2018 conferees for recognizing the need for the strong Conservation Title that benefits fish and wildlife …
Farm Bill 2018 Passed by Congress, Report to President’s Desk Read More »
On December 7, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) developed letters, signed by 35 wildlife conservation partners, urging House and Senate leadership to propose a package of legislation containing sportsmen’s priorities before the end of the 115th Congress this month. “This long overdue action from Congress has virtually unanimous support from a wide range of conservation groups. …
CSF Asks Congressional Leaders Not to be Lame Ducks Read More »
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On December 7, the Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) Commission announced that the state’s steelhead season will remain open, after initially voting on November 14 to close the spring season. The initial closure had been announced after a number of environmental organizations threatened to sue the state, alleging …
By Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager On December 5, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined Ducks Unlimited for a breakfast briefing at the Wisconsin Capitol, in Madison. The event brought together state legislators, legislative staff, and local conservation organizations. CSF Upper Midwestern States Manager Nick Buggia, gave a presentation on the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), explaining that …
Wisconsin: CSF Staff Attends Capitol Breakfast Briefing Read More »
Nearly 50 bipartisan legislators from more than 25 states gathered in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire for the 15th Annual National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Sportsman-Legislator Summit. Hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), this year’s Summit theme was “Enhancing Access and Opportunity for America’s Sportsmen and Women.” Among the several issues that were focused …
Bipartisan Legislators Exchange Ideas for Enhancing Sportsmen’s Access and Opportunities Read More »
For me, there’s always a sense of urgency in the final minutes of a day on the water. If I have been fortunate to catch fish during the trip, I want to catch one more to close out the day. If I haven’t, that last cast means all the difference between a sense of “figuring …
On November 15, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Senator John Barrasso (WY) introduced S. 3644, the Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act. Joining Sen. Barrasso in a bipartisan showing of support for the bill were nine original co-sponsors, eight of whom are Members of the CSC, including Caucus Co-Chair, Sen. Joe Manchin (WV). …
On November 16, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6784, the Manage our Wolves Act on a bipartisan vote of 196-180. H.R. 6784 was introduced by Congressman Sean Duffy (WI) in order to reinstate the final rules that were issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove Federal protections for gray wolves …
House Passes State Management Authority Legislation Read More »
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On November 6, Director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) Virgil Moore, announced that he will be retiring from the position in January of 2019. Moore will be staying on in his role as Director until the Idaho Fish and Game Commission announces his replacement. …
By Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Program On November 13, members of the Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the sportsmen’s community gathered at Ravenwood Lodge outside of Topeka, Kansas, for their annual sportsmen’s reception, followed by a day of pheasant hunting on November 14. “The Caucus looks forward to this event every …
Kansas: Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Annual Pheasant Hunt Read More »
On November 15, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing titled, “Examining Funding Needs for Wildlife Conservation, Recovery, and Management,” which covered several important pieces of legislation. Specifically, the hearing covered the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), The Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act, the North American Wetlands Conservation …
Senate Committee Examines Funding Needs for Wildlife Conservation and Management Read More »
The Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council (HSSCC) submitted two recommendations to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke related to expanding public access on National Wildlife Refuges as well as public information resources about recreation opportunities. National Wildlife Refuge System Strategic Growth Policy When the Fish and Wildlife Service identifies parcels or easements for future …
On Election Day – November 6 – the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) traveled to Houston, Texas, for the 6th Annual Bass, Bucks & Boots regional event. The event gathered members of the Texas sportsmen’s community to discuss the importance of voting for candidates who support hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation. CSF Honorary Board of Directors …
Texas: CSF Celebrates Bipartisan Pro-Sportsman Legislators on Election Day Read More »
