By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator On April 16, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Central Midwestern States Coordinator Joel Hodgdon joined the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and members of the state’s sportsmen’s community at the Butch Olofson Shooting Range. Newly renovated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa DNR staff guided both new …
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director On April 15-18 the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Southeastern States Director Bee Frederick attended the 2018 International Wild Pig Conference. The International Wild Pig Conference is a unique forum that provides federal, state, and private stakeholders an opportunity to discuss the biological, financial, and social implications specific to wild …
Oklahoma: CSF Attends International Wild Pig Conference Read More »
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On April 18, the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted an organizational breakfast and policy meeting to discuss key policy issues and upcoming events in the Keystone State. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator Brett Stayton delivered a presentation outlining the benefits of being a member of the Caucus, …
Pennsylvania: Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Organizational and Policy Meeting Read More »
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director On April 4, the Co-Chairmen of the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, Senator Mike Bell and Representative Jay Reedy, sent a letter to the Tennessee Congressional delegation in support of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), HR 4647. Introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus …
By Brent Miller, Senior Director of Northeastern States On April 15, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) sponsored an event for state fish and wildlife agency directors at the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference in Burlington, Vermont. At the event, participants toured the cutting-edge Ed Weed Fish Culture Station managed by the Vermont …
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On April 6, Alaska House Bill 260, legislation that would allow sportsmen and women to carry electronic conservation licenses into the field, passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee and was sent to the House Finance Committee. The bill had previously passed out of the House Special …
Alaska: Electronic License Bill Advances in Legislature Read More »
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator On April 4, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Member Governor Dr. Jeff Colyer signed H 2558 into law effectively lengthening upland hunting opportunities in Kansas. Endorsed by the Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, the bill was unanimously approved by both the Kansas House and Senate and extends the controlled shooting …
Kansas: Governor Signs Bill Extending Controlled Shooting Area Season into Law Read More »
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On April 8, Senator Stephen Sweeney, Co-Chair of the New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus and Senate President, was presented the Conservation Leadership Award by the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) during their 2018 Wild Game dinner. Sen. Sweeney has been one of the Garden States’ strongest advocates …
New Jersey: Caucus Co-Chair Receives Esteemed Conservation Leadership Award Read More »
On April 9, the Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act (S.1940) passed out of the Senate on a voice vote after the House passed the bill on suspension on December 18, 2017. The Senate bill, was introduced by CSC members Senator John Barrasso (WY) and Senator Tom Carper (DE). The House companion bill (H.R. 3979) was …
U.S. Senate Passes Keeping America’s Wildlife Refuge Operational Act Read More »
By John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager The Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus ended a successful legislative session under the leadership of Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Emmett Hanger and Delegate James Edmunds. Over the course of the session, the Caucus heard presentations from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and …
Virginia: 2018 Legislative Session Adjourns with Sportsmen’s Bills Signed into Law Read More »
By Soren Nelson, Pacific Southwest States Coordinator On April 2, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined a coalition of recreational fishing organizations in submitting comments opposing California AB 2787, a bill that would outlaw the manufacturing, sale, and purchase of lead fishing weights weighing less than 50 grams. In the letter, CSF highlighted the potential …
California: CSF Opposes State Lead Fishing Tackle Ban Read More »
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On March 22, the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held a policy forum in Dover, Delaware. Caucus Co-Chair Representatives Jeff Spiegelman and William Carson provided legislative updates on issues involving game meat donation liability coverage, hunting with airbows, the possibility of expanding Sunday hunting opportunities, and deer management issues. David …
Delaware: Caucus Hosts Policy Forum on a Wide Range of Sportsmen’s Issues Read More »
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director With the Georgia legislature adjourning March 29, the sportsmen’s community in Georgia welcomed the final passage of two important pieces of pro-sportsmen legislation: the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act and the Hunter Mentor Program. House Bill 332, the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act cleared the final legislative hurdle on the last …
Georgia: Legislature Passes Two Important Pro-Sportsmen’s Bills Read More »
By Chris Horton, Senior Fisheries Program Director The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries will soon determine the 2018 Gulf of Mexico red snapper season as they evaluate the five Gulf States’ recently submitted Exempted Fishing Permit (EFPs) applications. In 2017, the federal-water recreational red snapper season was originally three days and later extended to …
Gulf Red Snapper Season Hinges on NOAA Fisheries Decision Read More »
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On March 15, HB 7, sponsored by Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Delegate Johnny Mautz, passed the Senate with a unanimous vote of 47-0. The legislation would provide a tax credit of $50 to individuals who donate a deer to a venison donation program or food shelter. The tax …
Maryland: Game Meat Donation Tax Credit Ready for Consideration by the Governor Read More »
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator On April 6, Nebraska LB 1008 passed the state’s legislature 42-4 and now awaits Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Pete Ricketts’s signature into law. Introduced on January 16 by Nebraska Legislative Sportsmen’s Forum Member Senator Bruce Bostelman, this bill seeks to increase the liquidated damages levied against those …
Nebraska: Bill to Increase Liquidated Damages for Game Law Violations Advances Read More »
On March 26, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the appointment of members on the newly formed Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, which includes several Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) partners and supporters. CSF Board of Directors Member Phil Morlock (Shimano North American Holdings) and Honorary Board Member Brad Franklin (Yamaha Motor Corporation), as well as …
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director A resolution supporting federal fishery management reforms benefitting recreational anglers recently passed both legislative chambers in Mississippi. Authored by National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council Member Representative Scott Bounds and cosponsored by several members of the Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, HCR 82 supports increased access and opportunity for …
Mississippi: Legislature Passes Resolution Supporting Federal Fishery Management Reforms Read More »
By Zachary Sheldon, Upper Midwestern States Coordinator On March 23, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Member Governor Dennis Daugaard signed Senate Bill 137 Introduced by South Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator Jason Frerichs and sponsored in the House by Caucus Co-Chair Representative Herman Otten, the bill expands South Dakota’s mentored hunting program by removing the …
South Dakota: Governor Signs Bill Expanding Mentored Hunting Program into Law Read More »
By John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On March 27, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Jim Justice signed legislation into law that removed the prohibition against Sunday hunting on public lands in the state of West Virginia. Sponsored by West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator Mark Maynard, Senate Bill 451 passed both chambers by …
West Virginia: Public Lands Sunday Hunting Bill Signed into Law Read More »
