Why It Matters: As most state legislatures across the country have adjourned, the tail-end of summer offers a chance to reflect on policy victories in the conservation sphere while looking forward to securing more victories in remaining states that meet year-round. In the Great Lakes region, state legislatures in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota have adjourned …
Five Key Legislative Victories from the Great Lakes Region Read More »
Why It Matters: Restoring and improving fisheries habitat, science-based fisheries management, and access to our fisheries have always been at the center of CSF’s mission. Last week, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries hosted a hearing on three CSF-supported bills that seek to fund coastal conservation, develop a task force to …
CSF Lends Strong Support for Three Bills Before House Subcommittee Read More »
Why It Matters: Oregon’s law-abiding hunters and recreational shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays – public benefits” structure, Oregon’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the …
Notice of Intent to Appeal Filed in Legal Battle Over Oregon’s Measure 114 Read More »
Why it Matters: On June 26, 2023, members of the Massachusetts House introduced MA House Docket (HD) 4420 An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws, an aggressive gun control package that takes aim at a wide swath of firearm ownership and use. After its introduction, HD 4420 quickly made its way to the Joint Committee on Public …
Massachusetts Brings Sweeping Gun Control Package to Beacon Hill Read More »
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies stand at the forefront, not only in terms of the management of our nation’s public trust fish and wildlife resources, but as it relates to our ability to pursue them. With that in mind, it is important that we, as sportsmen and women, understand the importance of …
Who’s the Boss?: A Deeper Dive into the State Wildlife Management Authority Conversation Read More »
Why It Matters: Many state fish and wildlife agencies offer quota hunts to both resident and nonresident hunters that provide novice and experienced hunters alike with unique opportunities. Quota hunt programs also support recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts and conservation funding. Highlights: A limited number of tags are issued for quota hunts which can lead …
Quota Hunts Offer Unique Hunting Opportunities to Sportsmen and Women in the Southeast Read More »
Why It Matters: The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council is a bipartisan group of state sportsmen-legislators who lead the NASC network by providing advice to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) on the administration of the NASC program. Representing states from Alaska to Maine, and South Carolina to New Mexico, Executive Council Members …
NASC Executive Council Holds Successful Mid-Year Meeting in Oklahoma Read More »
Why It Matters: Skyway Fishing Pier State Park (Skyway Pier) is a popular angling destination for many recreational fishermen in Florida who may not have access to a boat or have mobility issues. Due to its proximity to breeding colonies of pelicans, itis also a hot spot for pelicans getting entangled in fishing line, which may …
Why it Matters: In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Fish and Game Council (Council) serve as the premier experts on all matters relative to fish, wildlife, and their habitats. For over half of a decade, New Jersey’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP) has lapsed due to political obstructionism. …
New Jersey Game and Fish Council Votes to Support Return of Black Bear Hunting Season Read More »
Why It Matters: Across the United States, state fish and wildlife agencies make management decisions based on impacts to species at the population-level. Straying from this nearly universally practiced approach – particularly when creating a rule to prohibit lead ammunition, which is not readily available to meet the demands of sportsmen and women – may …
Why it Matters: Trapping plays a pivotal role in conservation in the United States that cannot be replicated or replaced effectively. While it may feel like an uphill battle, there are numerous collaborative state, regional, and national efforts that are actively working at multiple levels to protect and advance trapping, predator hunting and their valued …
What Does the Future Hold for Trapping and Furbearer Management? Read More »
Why It Matters: If you have ever fished offshore in the Gulf of Mexico from Alabama to Texas, chances are, you found fish near an offshore oil and gas platform. For three-quarters of a century, these steel structures that were constructed to extract petroleum to meet energy demands have created valuable habitat for fish, corals, …
CSF and TRCP Work to Raise Awareness on Efforts to Save Offshore Habitat in the Gulf Read More »
On July 10, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) held a policy forum and reception in Charleston, South Carolina during the 77th Annual Council of State Goverments’ Southern Legislative Conference. Speakers discussed the Farm Bill reauthorization and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed vessel speed limit …
Why it matters: Congress is currently considering appropriations bills that provide funding for Fiscal Year 2024. Appropriations bills significantly influence the actions taken by federal agencies by controlling spending levels, directing funding for specific purposes, or restricting certain actions by federal agencies. The passage of these bills at both the Subcommittee and Committee levels are …
Why it Matters: Bringing legislators together to discuss important issues that sportsmen and women face, and to discuss the important role they play in conservation, is one of the hallmarks of CSF’s mission. As part of the Council of State Governments’ Midwest Legislative Conference, CSF staff and leaders of the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus led …
Midwestern Legislators Gather for CSF Regional Policy Forum Read More »
Why It Matters: New Hampshire Senate Bill 15 (NH S 15) and House Bill 221 (NH HB 221) seek to improve New Hampshire’s sporting community’s relationship with private landowners while at the same time protecting private property rights of the state’s sportsmen and women. Both bills are the culmination of years of negotiations between in-state …
Why It Matters: California’s law-abiding hunters and recreational shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation through various wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays — public benefits” program, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for …
Firearm and Ammunition Tax Passes California Senate Public Safety Committee Read More »
Why It Matters: Through the “user pays – public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding, state fish and wildlife management agencies rely significantly on the sale of hunting and fishing licenses to support their conservation efforts. As the costs associated with these management activities continue to increase, periodic increases in licenses fees are necessary to …
License Fee Increases Enacted in Arkansas, Proposed in Missouri Read More »
Why It Matters: Extending the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC) ability to set license fees through the regulatory process affords it the opportunity to make smaller adjustments over a gradual period, thereby avoiding the sticker shock that is often associated when increases are made through one legislative effort. In 2022, Pennsylvania had 1,146,972 certified …
CSF-Supported PFBC License-Setting Authority Receives Unanimous Committee Support Read More »
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a slow and progressive neurological disease occurring in free ranging and farmed cervid species (deer family) that is always fatal and is spreading across the North America and elsewhere. This disease is a massive threat to cervid populations which threatens quality hunting experiences as well as opportunities to …
Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Florida – Continuing its Spread Across the Southeast Read More »
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