On June 13, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, more commonly known as the Farm Bill, with a strong vote of 20 – 1. This bipartisan bill was introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members (CSC) Chairman Senator Pat Roberts (KS) and Ranking Member Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI). Title II, also …
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members joined representatives from the sportsmen’s conservation community for a bipartisan Capitol Hill Breakfast Briefing hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) to discuss the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act (H.R. 4454) and the Chronic Wasting Disease Support for States Act (S. 2252). Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) affects cervids such as deer, …
Recreational fishing stakeholders gathered on Capitol Hill for a policy luncheon and panel to discuss federal saltwater recreational fisheries management including the Modern Fish Act (S. 1520/H.R. 2023) and Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act (H.R. 200). Hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), this panel gathered Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus …
Experts Weigh-in on Modernizing Federal Fisheries Management Read More »
On June 3, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Northwest States Senior Manager Zach Widner participated on a panel on public lands recreational access at the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Widner covered the importance of the American System of Conservation Funding, a “user pays – public benefits” program that benefits …
By Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States On June 1, HB 5360 was sent to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy for his consideration. The bill would expand Sunday deer hunting opportunities for hunters in the Nutmeg State, among other provisions. In 2015, legislation championed by the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus was signed into law, which allowed …
Connecticut: Sunday Hunting Bill on Governor’s Desk Read More »
On June 7, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Federal Relations Coordinator Taylor Schmitz attended the 2018 National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Annual Meeting in Chantilly, Virginia, to discuss H.R. 4647, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). Introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE) and Congresswoman …
CSF Participates at National Wildlife Federation Annual Meeting Read More »
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On June 5, the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held a policy forum at the State Capital in Dover. Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Jeff Spiegleman and William Carson, as well as Senators Bryan Pettyjohn and Bruce Ennis were all in attendance. With the Delaware General Assembly closing out the 2018 session …
Delaware: Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Convenes for Final Policy Meeting of 2018 Read More »
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator Due to the efforts of state fish and wildlife agencies working in partnership with the sportsmen and women who fund these agencies’ conservation efforts through the American System of Conservation Funding, the populations of three high-profile wildlife species across the Midwest region are rebounding and expanding their range …
On June 4, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation sponsored a legislative reception held by in-state partner, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Eddie Day Pashinski and Senator Pat Stefano were in attendance, as well as staff from the offices of Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Jim Brewster and Representative Ryan Warner. Also …
Pennsylvania: CSF Sponsors Legislative Reception Read More »
For the first time since 2014, anglers in the South Atlantic may soon have the opportunity to harvest red snapper. Following seven years of a closed or severely shortened season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries is currently considering a proposed rule that would allow for a limited 2018 red snapper season. The …
Red Snapper Fishing Season under Consideration in the South Atlantic Read More »
By Soren Nelson, Pacific Southwest States Coordinator On May 21, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined a diverse coalition of angling conservation groups, boating organizations and fishing clubs in expressing support for legislation at the state and federal level that would modernize commercial swordfish fishing standards in California. Senate Bill 2773, also known as the …
California: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Supports Bills to Reduce Bycatch Read More »
From May 30-31, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Federal Relations Coordinator Taylor Schmitz attended the 2018 Partners Outdoors Conference which took place at the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture. The conference brought together representatives from hunting and fishing conservation groups, outdoor industry leaders, and state and federal fish and wildlife agency leaders …
By Zachary Sheldon, Upper Midwestern States Coordinator On May 22, the bipartisan and bicameral Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their 4th Annual Afternoon Outdoors and Wild Game Dinner at the Capitol Area Sportsmen’s League in Lansing, Michigan. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Upper Midwestern States Coordinator Zachary Sheldon joined the four Co-Chairs of the Caucus, Senator …
Michigan: Caucus Hosts Annual Afternoon Outdoors and Wild Game Dinner Read More »
By John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On May 30, the Ohio Sportsmen’s Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) hosted a sporting clays shoot and barbecue supper at the Cardinal Shooting Center outside of Columbus, Ohio. The event provided an opportunity for Caucus members, representatives from national and in-state sportsmen’s groups, the Ohio Wildlife Council, the Ohio …
Ohio: Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Sporting Clays Event Read More »
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On May 26, the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a free youth fishing derby at the Oregon State Capitol Mall in Salem. Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Sherrie Sprenger and Brad Witt, representatives from numerous sportsmen’s organizations, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, provided equipment and helped educate participants on …
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator Earlier this month the Pennsylvania Game Commission strengthened the Keystone State’s existing regulations aimed at combating the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Beginning this fall, hunters who harvest deer in Maryland, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia will no longer be allowed to bring deer carcasses back into …
Pennsylvania: Keystone State Takes Steps to Combat Chronic Wasting Disease Read More »
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director On May 18, legislation to reauthorize the South Carolina Conservation Bank was signed into law by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. House Bill 4727 would enable the Conservation Bank to continue its duties and functions for collaborative conservation efforts in South Carolina, this time without a sunset limitation. In …
South Carolina: Conservation Bank Signed into Law Read More »
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator During May, the Idaho, Iowa, and Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses submitted letters to their respective Congressional delegations urging support for federal legislation designed to assist state fish and wildlife agencies in the fight against chronic wasting disease (CWD). The Iowa and Kansas Caucus letters were also sent to …
State Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses Weigh in on Federal CWD Legislation Read More »
By Soren Nelson, Pacific Southwest States Coordinator On May 22, the California Outdoor Sporting Caucus hosted its annual trap & skeet shoot and barbecue at the Cordova Shooting Center in Rancho Cordova, California. A diverse group of legislators, legislative staff, and sportsmen’s organizations were joined by game wardens with the California Department of Fish and …
California Outdoor Sporting Caucus Hosts Annual Trap & Skeet Event Read More »
As the Senate prepares to introduce its version of the 2018 Farm Bill, and the House commits to revisit H.R. 2 in June, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is hopeful that the next reauthorization maintains and enhances the strong conservation programs in the bill. These programs, along with over $5 billion in conservation funding each …
CSF Conservation Priorities for the Farm Bill Reauthorization Read More »
