Gearing up for National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, September 22, 34 bipartisan governors from across the country have signed proclamations recognizing this important holiday. Among governors who have signed proclamations this year were Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Co-Chair Governor Steve Bullock (MT), GSC Vice-Chair Governor Tom Wolf (PA), and 24 other GSC members. In addition, …
Bipartisan Governors Recognize National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 22 Read More »
Earlier this week, the National Park Service (NPS) issued a final rule that will now provide archery hunters with better access to public lands that surround the National Park System. Prior to the rule change, hunters could only transport archery equipment through National Parks if their bow or crossbow remained in a motor vehicle or …
National Park Service Finalizes Rule Change to Benefit Bow Hunters Read More »
On September 18, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee marked up and passed S. 593, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Senators Shelley More Capito (WV), John Boozman (AR), Michael Bennet (CO), and CSC Vice-Chair Heidi Heitkamp (ND). This bill …
Senate Committee Passes Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act Read More »
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined 23 partner organizations from the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) in requesting that the Department of the Interior (DOI) develop a department-wide policy recognizing the benefits of man-made water sources for wildlife conservation. In a letter submitted to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, the group highlighted the many …
CSF Joins Conservation Partners in Supporting Water Developments for Wildlife Read More »
On September 13, the House Natural Resources Committee held a markup and passed two bills including H.R. 502, a bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as well as H.R. 6510, the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act. H.R. 502, would permanently reauthorize LWCF at the current authorized level of …
House Natural Resources Committee Passes Sportsmen’s Access Legislation Read More »
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) applauds the recent decision by NOAA Fisheries to deny an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) that would have allowed pelagic longline (PLL) vessels into the East Florida Coast Pelagic Longline Closed Area. “Both resident and non-resident anglers who fish along the east coast of Florida owe NOAA Fisheries a debt of gratitude …
NOAA Fisheries Denies Longline Permit in East Florida Closed Zone Read More »
On September 7, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the opening of more than 251,000 acres to new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Specifically, the 251,000 acres will span across 30 refuges, and will increase the number of units open to hunting to 377, and fishing to …
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On September 11, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted a policy forum and luncheon in Snowbird, Utah, which preceded the Council of State Governments (CSG) West Meeting. Attendees included western state legislators, sportsmen’s representatives, and outdoor industry partners covering sportsmen’s policy issues. The policy forum featured several western-centric …
On September 12, in a win for the sportsmen’s conservation community, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2591, the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act of 2017, on a voice vote. Introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Vice-Chair Congressman Austin Scott (GA), along with fellow CSC leadership, Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC), Gene Green …
U.S. House Passes Pittman-Robertson Fund Modernization Bill Read More »
On September 4, twenty-three organizations representing anglers, boaters, charter boat captains and the fishing and boating industry sent a letter of support for Congressman Brian Mast’s recent introduction of H.R. 6645, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA) of 2018. H.R. 6645 will reauthorize and modify the Harmful Algal Bloom and …
Angling Community Applauds Legislation to Address Algal Blooms Read More »
On September 5, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation favorably reported S. 2773, the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act. This bipartisan bill was introduced by Senators Diane Feinstein (CA), Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Shelley Moore Capito (WV) and Kamala Harris (CA) and cosponsored by CSC Member Senator Roger Wicker (MS) and …
Bill To Eliminate Drift Gill Nets in California Advances in Senate Read More »
Nearly 60 Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, joined leaders from the sportsmen’s community in Washington, DC, for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) 29th Annual Banquet and Auction. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue addressed the event’s reception as the keynote speaker, and discussed the importance of the upcoming Farm Bill …
Conservation Priorities Addressed at Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Annual Banquet Read More »
On September 5, the House Natural Resources Committee marked up and passed H.R. 6013, the Migratory Bird Framework and Hunting Opportunities for Veterans Act, on a voice vote. This legislation was introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member and Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Congressman Rob Bishop (UT) on June 6. This bill …
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On September 9, Catherine McCabe, the Commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an Administrative Order to prohibit the hunting of black bears on all state lands under DEP’s jurisdiction, including state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). These WMAs are paid for by New Jersey’s sportsmen and …
New Jersey: Administrative Order Prohibits Black Bear Hunting on State Lands Read More »
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) welcomed Chief Executive Officer of Vista Outdoor Inc., Christopher Metz, to its Board of Directors. Metz, who joined Vista Outdoor as CEO in 2017, brings more than 25 years of experience leading high-performing consumer products businesses. In addition to volunteering his time and resources in a three-year term on the CSF …
Vista Outdoor CEO Christopher Metz Joins Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Board Read More »
With countless places to roam and enjoy the great outdoors, Americans are taking advantage of these opportunities, and as they go, spending significant dollars. New economic reports by Southwick Associates reveals more than 53 million Americans consider themselves sportsmen and women, spending more than $93.5 billion in 2016 on gear, licenses, travel, clothing, gas and …
Sportsmen and Women Contribute Over $93 Billion to Fuel the Nation’s Economy Read More »
On August 27, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and over 90 other partners representing sportsmen and women, farmers, ranchers, fish and wildlife professionals, foresters, landowners and food companies signed on to a letter in support of the Conservation Title of the 2018 Farm Bill. The letter was sent to the members of the Farm Bill …
CSF and Partners Send Letter to Congress Supporting Conservation Funding in Farm Bill Read More »
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On August 24, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to finalize a recreation policy Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Idaho Land Board to protect access for hunting, angling, trapping, and other forms of recreational access on Idaho’s state endowment lands. The Land Board, which consists …
Idaho: State Authorities Work to Ensure Sportsmen’s Access on State Lands Read More »
On August 25, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member the Honorable John McCain passed away at the age of 81. As a proud member of the CSC and representative of Arizona, Senator McCain supported multiple bills to help protect and advance hunting, angling and the many other activities that America’s sportsmen and women enjoy. In 2015, …
In Memory of Senator John McCain, Former Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Read More »
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator On August 24, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Dr. Jeff Colyer brought together the Kansas sportsmen’s community for a proclamation signing ceremony in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The proclamation recognizes the state’s hunters and anglers for the instrumental role they play in the state’s conservation funding …
Kansas: Governor Hosts Proclamation Signing for National Hunting and Fishing Day Read More »
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