Why it Matters: In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Fish and Game Council (Council) serve as the premier experts on all matters relative to fish, wildlife, and their habitats. For over half of a decade, New Jersey’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP) has lapsed due to political obstructionism. …
New Jersey Fish and Game Council Sets Annual Bear Hunt Until 2028 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 …
Firearm and Ammunition Tax Passes California Legislature, Awaiting Governor’s Signature Read More »
Why It Matters: Science-based wildlife management is a quintessential element of conservation success in America. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) supports legislative efforts that retain state wildlife management agency authority while ensuring that those agencies are following practices that are best for the state’s wildlife populations and the sportsmen and women that pursue them. Highlights: …
CSF Supports Wisconsin Wolf Management Legislation Introduced by Caucus Co-Chair Read More »
Why It Matters: Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in north central Alabama is 8,870 acres of prime wildlife habitat and a very popular public land hunting destination for waterfowlers. In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion on Interstate 65 and U.S. 31, the City of Decatur and TTL, Inc. are proposing several routes for a new …
Proposed Bridge Routes Could Impact Duck Hunting Opportunities in Alabama Read More »
Why It Matters: Science-based fisheries management and access to our fisheries have always been at the center of CSF’s mission. In both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, sharks are increasingly intercepting fish being landed by recreational and commercial anglers, creating frustration for anglers and challenges for fisheries sustainability. Tomorrow, the House Natural …
CSF Priority Legislation to Address Shark Depredation Teed Up in House Committee Read More »
Why it Matters: On September 12, 2023, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Northeastern States Assistant Manager, Fred Bird submitted a letter of opposition to the Joint Committee on Revenue regarding Massachusetts (MA) House Bill (HB) 2771 An Act Establishing an Excise Tax on Ammunition. HB 2771 is very likely to result in an unintended and consequential …
Massachusetts House Bill 2771 Seeks to Double-Down on Ammo Taxes Read More »
Why It Matters: Hailing from a region of the Mountain State with a particularly strong sporting heritage, Delegate Dean will continue working to ensure that the sportsmen and women of West Virginia are well represented at the West Virginia Legislature. Delegate Dean continues the tradition of pro-sportsmen legislators stepping up to protect outdoor sporting traditions …
New Sportsmen’s Caucus Leader Added in West Virginia Read More »
Why It Matters: One of the most important challenges that sportsmen and women face today is passing on the outdoor traditions that we cherish to new generations. Broadening the base of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers is instrumental to securing the legacy of the American outdoors, and free fishing days aim to do just …
Indiana Aims to Hook Newcomers with Fall Free Fishing Day Read More »
Why it matters: In June 2022, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which included language that prohibited training school personnel in the use of a “dangerous weapon”. Unfortunately, the BSCA is having the unintended consequence of limiting certain U.S. Department of Education funds from being used for important educational programs such as archery …
CSF Continues Work with CSC Members to Address Hunter Education Issue Read More »
Why it Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) maintains that opportunities for sportsmen and women to harvest wildlife, subject to regulations and limitations established by state fish and wildlife management agencies, is one of the most effective tools for managing populations. Recently, due to challenges created by increased populations of mesopredators like raccoons, state agencies, …
Why it matters: The U.S. Forest Service is largely understaffed and underfunded given their immense responsibilities as one of the nation’s largest land managers. The Good Neighbor Authority allows states, counties, and tribes to partner with the Forest Service to conduct forest management projects. States, counties, and tribes have a vested interest in the health …
Why it Matters: Throughout most of the Midwest, land is predominantly held in private ownership. While that does pose a challenge for those who are not fortunate enough to own, lease, or otherwise access these private lands, there are many sportsmen and women who rely solely on private access. However, despite facing less competition with …
Maximizing Opportunities for Sportsmen and Women on Private Lands Read More »
Why It Matters: With fall hunting seasons just beginning, North Carolina and South Carolina public land hunters may include hunting in their Sunday to-do list. Sunday hunting restrictions are blue laws that were originally enacted to encourage church attendance. Now, in both North Carolina and South Carolina, hunters can enjoy public land Sunday hunting opportunities. …
Expanding Public Land Sunday Hunting Opportunities in the Carolinas Read More »
Why it matters: With the fall turkey season right around the corner, and tag application periods open in most of the Great Plains States, it is important to keep yourself informed on the hunting regulations in the states you plan to hunt. Regulations on bag limits and the number of permits available can change from …
Fall Turkey Regulation Changes in the Great Plains 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 …
California Senate Could Vote on Firearm and Ammunition Tax Bill This Week Read More »
Why it Matters: With Fall semesters underway throughout the country, students within the sporting community will be looking to fields and forests for needed relief and downtime from their studies. On top of financial considerations for books, supplies, and semester credits, non-resident students may have to factor in out-of-state license fees in order to participate …
School’s Back in Session: The Case for Out-of-State Students Paying Resident Fees Read More »
Why It Matters: Generally reauthorized every five years, the United States Farm Bill represents one of the largest and most important pieces of legislation passed by Congress. Covering topics ranging from crop insurance to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Farm Bill’s provisions touch all Americans in one way or another. For sportsmen and women, …
The Top Items That Congress Should Include in the 2023 Farm Bill Read More »
Why It Matters: Archery in schools programs are an excellent opportunity for youth to be introduced to the sporting community. An estimated 14 million youth have benefitted from participation in archery in schools programs nationwide. Getting youth involved in archery in schools programs is an important hunter recruitment tool, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) …
Archery in Schools Programs – Valuable to Youth Introduction to the Sporting Community Read More »
Why It Matters: Early September often marks the return of year-round legislatures to their respective state capitols, and Lansing is no exception. Upon their return, Michigan legislators will be greeted with a handful of sporting bills – some that advance the interests of sportsmen and women, and some that do not. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation …
Michigan Legislature Returns to Session with Sporting Bills on the Docket Read More »
Why it matters: Hunter education, archery in schools, wilderness courses, and other outdoor focused school activities provide unmatched enrichment opportunities for students from all walks of life. These programs provide critical life skills for students and, according to teachers engaged with these programs, student participation has been correlated with improvements in academic performance, behavior, and school …
CSC, CSF Leaders Urge Department of Education to Revisit Hunter Education Interpretation Read More »
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