Senator Mike Bell, Co-Chair of the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, was recently named “Legislator of the Year” by the Safari Club International (SCI). An avid outdoorsman and champion-legislator for sportsmen, Senator Bell was chosen for the prestigious award from 11 finalists and over 15,000 state legislators across the country. The award will be formally …
Legislation to expand Sunday hunting opportunities in West Virginia has passed both legislative chambers and is expected to be signed into law by Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Jim Justice. Senate Bill 345, sponsored by West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator Mark Maynard, legalizes Sunday hunting statewide on private lands with the written permission …
West Virginia: Sunday Hunting Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk Read More »
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members Introduce Bill to Enhance Recreational Fisheries Management
On April 6, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Congressman Garret Graves, along with CSC Co-Chair Congressman Gene Green, CSC Member Congressman Rob Wittman and Congressman Daniel Webster introduced essential legislation that offers a solution to many of the challenges facing recreational anglers from federal fisheries management in our coastal waters. The “Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management …
On April 4, Colorado Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Jeni Arndt and Representative Jim Wilson introduced House Bill 17-1321, bipartisan legislation designed to ensure the financial sustainability of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and support a wide variety of programs important to hunters, anglers, boaters and the state’s fish and wildlife populations. According to Colorado …
Colorado: Sportsmen’s Caucus Leaders Introduce Financial Sustainability Legislation Read More »
Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris announced the grand opening of the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri this September, in coordination with National Hunting and Fishing Day. As a conservation leader and avid sportsman, Morris dedicates much of his time and resources to conservation organizations and promoting the …
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium to Open in September Read More »
On April 4, the Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a reception in Topeka, Kansas. The event brought together Caucus members, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Kansas Lieutenant Governor Dr. Jeff Colyer, and the state’s sportsmen’s community for a forum covering issues impacting sportsmen and women. Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Ken Corbet and Senator …
Kansas: Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Reception Read More »
On March 24, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) formally endorsed NC Sound Economy, a coalition of businesses, recreational anglers, and sportsmen’s organizations committed to improving North Carolina’s coastal fisheries. Due to policy decisions that have failed to support viable coastal finfish and shellfish stocks, North Carolina’s coastal fish stocks have declined precipitously and, as a …
North Carolina: CSF Endorses Sound Economy Coalition Read More »
Legislation to expand Sunday hunting opportunities in North Carolina was filed on April 4. Two bills, introduced in the House and Senate aim to broaden the Sunday hunting advancements made in the 2015 Outdoor Heritage Act, which repealed the state’s 145 year-old ban against hunting on Sunday with firearms on private property. Senate Bill 624 …
North Carolina: Sunday Hunting Legislation Introduced Read More »
On April 4, the Oregon House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to pass House Bill 2566, which would expand the ability of first-time hunters to participate in the state’s mentored hunting program. The bill now awaits either further committee referral or a referral to the House floor for a vote. HB 2566, as …
Oregon: Bill to Expand Mentored Hunting Passes Committee Read More »
On March 28, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) announced that hunters will be able to use modern sporting rifles to harvest small game and furbearers in the 2017-2018 hunting seasons. The decision comes after the Commissioners preliminarily approved a proposal in January that would have allowed semi-automatic rifles to be used in all seasons where …
Pennsylvania: Modern Sporting Rifles Approved for Small Game, Furbearers Read More »
On April 3, President Donald Trump signed House Joint (H.J.) Resolution 69, which officially nullified a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rule that restricted the state of Alaska’s ability to manage fish and wildlife on National Wildlife Refuges. H.J. Resolution 69 was passed with a bipartisan vote in the U.S. House in February and …
This week, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane met with Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) as well as the newly appointed Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, to collaborate on upcoming sportsmen’s priorities at both legislative and administrative levels. Crane met with CSC Co-Chair Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC) to discuss the development of a …
CSF Supports Efforts to Advance Sportsmen’s Priorities on Capitol Hill Read More »
On March 23, the bipartisan, bicameral Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, co-chaired by Senators Bruce Ennis and Brian Pettyjohn, and Representatives Jeff Spiegelman and William Carson, hosted its second meeting of the 2017 legislative session to discuss legalization of firearm suppressors. Approximately 20 Caucus members were joined by David Saveikis, Director of the Delaware Division of …
Delaware: Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Suppressor Policy Luncheon Read More »
Passed by the Illinois Senate Committee on Environment and Conservation on March 16, IL S 1985 would ban the use of lead ammunition to take wildlife in state parks or natural areas. To date, there is no scientific evidence to indicate that the use of lead to harvest wildlife has had a significant, harmful impact on …
Illinois: Lead Ammunition Ban Threatens State’s Professional Wildlife Management Read More »
On March 25, the Maryland Hunting Coalition, an organization dedicated to uniting all Maryland hunters to protect the heritage and privileges of hunting and trapping, hosted its Annual Dinner and Benefit. Over 300 members of the sportsmen’s community were in attendance to celebrate the many positive impacts that hunters provide for the Old Line State. …
Maryland: Sportsmen’s Community Honors Senator John Astle Read More »
On March 22, the bipartisan and bicameral New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol in the Legislative Office Building in Albany. The event served as an opportunity to showcase the benefits the time-honored traditions of hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping provide to the Empire State. The event featured booths from …
New York: Caucus Hosts Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol Read More »
On March 29, the Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a breakfast at the Museum Gallery in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. State legislators, officials from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and representatives from local and national sportsmen’s groups gathered to hear talks on pressing conservation issues for Ohio’s sportsmen and women. Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus …
Ohio: Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Breakfast in Columbus Read More »
On March 30, just three days after the introduction of the Sportsmen’s Act in the Senate, the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee passed S. 733 with a voice vote. Bill sponsor Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) serves as the Committee Chairwoman, and cosponsors Senator Martin Heinrich (NM), Senator Jim Risch (ID), and Senator Joe Manchin …
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Advances Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act Read More »
On March 22, more than 30 sportsmen’s conservation groups sent letters to the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee, urging support of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). NAWCA is a unique, voluntary-based competitive matching grant program that leverages non-federal to federal funds in excess of a 2:1 …
Sportsmen’s Groups Express Strong Support for Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Read More »
On March 27, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Senator Martin Heinrich (NM), along with CSC leaders, Senators Jim Risch (ID), Joe Manchin (WV), Deb Fischer (NE), and Heidi Heitkamp (ND), introduced a bipartisan sportsmen’s package of legislation (S. 733) in the Senate. Provisions within this bill would increase access to …
