On June 20, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Congressman Steve Pearce (NM) introduced the Make Public Lands Public Act, which would amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to increase public access to federal lands by funding maintenance and restoration of roads and trails. “In New Mexico and across the west, private, state, and …
With the recent conclusion of the Louisiana legislative session, two resolutions related to marine fisheries management clearly demonstrated the legislature’s support for recreational angling in the Sportsmen’s Paradise state. Introduced by Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus member Senator Bret Allain on May 3, LA SCR 67 memorializes Congress to pass legislation or adopt policies allowing Louisiana …
Louisiana: Legislature Sends Clear Message on Behalf of Recreational Anglers Read More »
On June 8, the U.S. Senate passed the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity (WILD) Act (S. 826) by Unanimous Consent. Included within S. 826 is the reauthorization of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which supports private landowners who commit to wildlife conservation. On June 20, twenty-five wildlife conservation organizations sent a letter to the …
Senate Passes WILD Act, Reauthorizes Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Read More »
Quail whistled between shotgun blasts as shooters gathered at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) new Palmetto Shooting Complex for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) inaugural Southern Sporting Clays Classic. Gathered to advance sportsmen’s policies and conservation efforts, South Carolina and Georgia state legislative sportsmen’s caucus members joined over 100 members of the sportsmen’s community …
South Carolina: CSF and NWTF Host Southern Sporting Clays Classic Read More »
By Emily George, Brad Rowse Policy Fellow, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation I’ve heard it repeatedly – internships are supposed to prepare you with experiences for a career after college. However, having only been through the third week of my internship with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), I have already experienced things that I never expected to …
CSF in the Field: Visit to Mission Partner FN America’s Range Read More »
Yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced a temporary rule to re-open the 2017 private angler recreational red snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico for 39 weekend days and holidays in federal waters. Earlier this month, the shortest federal red snapper season in history closed on June 4, 2017, after only being open for …
This week, the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) welcomed two new members; Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Joining 30 of their fellow members, the GSC is a group of bipartisan governors from across the country who are dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. The GSC facilitates communication …
Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Welcomes New Members Read More »
On Thursday, June 8, more than 25 members of the bipartisan New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, key members of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and valued in-state conservation partners gathered for an End-of-Session Luncheon in Concord, NH. During the luncheon, attendees discussed many critical sportsmen’s issues that were advanced during the 2017 legislative …
New Hampshire: Caucus Hosts End-of-Session Luncheon Read More »
On June 6, over a dozen national and in-state sportsmen’s groups gathered at the North Carolina General Assembly for the annual Legislative Sportsmen’s Day. The purpose of the day was to highlight the important economic, cultural and conservation benefits of North Carolina’s outdoor traditions. The day started off with a breakfast in the Legislative Cafeteria …
North Carolina: Legislative Sportsmen’s Day held at the General Assembly Read More »
On June 14, the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, with assistance from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), hosted an end-of-session Caucus meeting and shoot at Mid-Valley Sporting Clays near Salem, OR. The event brought together legislators, sportsmen’s groups, and outdoor industry partners to discuss the Caucus’s legislative …
Oregon: Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts End-of-Session Meeting and Shoot Read More »
On Tuesday, June 13, the bipartisan Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their Annual Cigar Reception at Sawyer’s in Harrisburg, PA. The evening’s event brought together over 50 members of the Caucus, key staff from both the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, as well as staff from Governor Wolf’s office, who …
Pennsylvania: Caucus Hosts Annual Cigar Reception Read More »
On June 13, at the Bass Pro Shops in Hookset, NH, Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced the 2017 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration apportionments. Joining Secretary Zinke for this year’s announcement were Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Chris Sununu, many members of the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and state fish and …
Secretary Zinke Announces 2017 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Apportionments Read More »
On Monday June 12, the South Dakota Legislature passed HB 1001, which provides for public recreational use of certain waters overlying public and private property. The legislation was in response to a South Dakota Supreme Court ruling that said the legislature must determine whether members of the public can use nonmeandered waters for recreational purposes. …
South Dakota: Special Legislative Session Passes Nonmeandered Waters Access Bill Read More »
On June 5, Secretary of the Interior (DOI) Ryan Zinke announced the appointment of Greg Sheehan as Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sheehan previously served as Director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. In addition, he is an avid hunter and angler, and has volunteered his time as a leader …
On June 5, the Governor Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) welcomed Missouri Governor Eric Greitens as its newest member. The GSC is a bipartisan group of governors from across the nation dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. “I’m honored to represent the hunters and anglers of Missouri in this distinguished caucus,” said …
Missouri: Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Welcomes Governor Greitens Read More »
On June 6, North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus members Senators Danny Earl Britt and Andrew Brock along with Senator Norman Sanderson introduced legislation to constitutionally protect the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in North Carolina. Senate Bill 677, if passed by the legislature, would be presented to voters in the statewide November 2018 …
North Carolina: Right to Hunt and Fish Legislation Introduced Read More »
On May 31, the Oregon State Senate voted unanimously to pass House Bill 3158A, which would require the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to implement a program to encourage the reporting of wildlife law violations. On April 24, the bill passed the House unanimously, and was carried on the Senate floor by Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus …
Oregon: Poaching Violations Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Governor Read More »
The House Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing for June 14 at 10:00 am, in which Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane will represent the sportsmen’s community and testify in favor of a comprehensive sportsmen’s package. Titled the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act, this legislation is intended to enhance hunting, …
Sportsmen’s Legislation Advances in the House and Senate Read More »
On May 25, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced a controversial two-year pilot program for red snapper management within the Gulf of Mexico. The proposal, slated to begin in 2018, would allow LDWF to implement an exempted fishing permit for a randomly-selected group of 150 offshore …
Louisiana Red Snapper Pilot Program Proposal to Limit Recreational Access Read More »
On May 23, Nevada Senate Bill 221 unanimously passed the Nevada Senate. The bill, which was authored by Nevada Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Senators Mo Denis and Scott Hammond, and Co-Chair Assembly Member Justin Watkins, would establish the Nevada Wildlife Public Education Council, which has been a priority for the Caucus. If established, the Council …
Nevada: Bill to Create Wildlife Education Council Advances Read More »