Why it matters: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages over 245 million acres of federal land and water and is required to maintain a multiple-use, sustained-yield mandate intended to support a wide range of issues including recreation, energy production, grazing, timber, among others. It is critical that the BLM continues to support these Congressionally …
CSF Expresses Concern with BLM Conservation Rule as Currently Written Read More »
Why it Matters: To ensure wildlife populations continue to be managed sustainably – and that the public continues to benefit from the immense contributions made by hunters and anglers – it is critical that policy makers continually work with the outdoor sporting community and professional wildlife managers to maintain scientific management of our wildlife resources. …
Why It Matters: Introduced on March 1, 2023, LD 958 makes it illegal to sell or offer for sale painted lead jigs weighing one ounce or less or measuring 2 1/2 inches or less in length beginning September 1, 2024, and illegal to use them beginning September 1, 2026. On June 20, 2023, LD 958 …
Maine Governor Signs Lead Jig Prohibition into Law Read More »
Why it matters: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the top federal agency dedicated to conserving our nation’s fish, wildlife, and their associated habitats. FWS supports more than 2.4 million hunting related visits and 7.3 million fishing visits annually, making the agency one of the most important federal land management agencies for sportsmen and …
Why It Matters: Oregon’s law-abiding hunters and 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 Oregon …
Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women, as well as outdoor gear manufacturers and retailers, are responsible for funding state fish and wildlife management agencies through license sales and excise taxes on outdoor goods. Visiting a sporting goods store in preparation for your favorite season benefits not only hunters and anglers, but fish and game, as …
Sporting Goods Stores Help Sportsmen Fill Tags, Live Wells, and Agency Coffers Read More »
Why It Matters: A recently discovered but little-known species of whale, called the Rice’s whale, in the northern Gulf of Mexico, is considered endangered and in need of protection. However, before the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) can even establish a plan and options to aid in the species recovery, they have been petitioned, with …
Rice’s Whale Petition Threatens Recreational Fishing in Northern Gulf Read More »
Why It Matters: As an avid sportsman, Senator Shane Wilkin is dedicated to protecting and advancing Ohio’s outdoor sporting traditions. Senator Wilkin is a member of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and it is critical to have pro-sportsmen representation on this key committee for issues impacting hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters. Highlights: …
Why it Matters: Events such as the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus’ Annual Cigar Reception, offer forums and opportunities for candid conversations among both new and tenured Caucus members, agency staff, and industry professionals about crucial conservation-related issues within the Keystone State, while also serving to celebrate the great work that has been accomplished thus far …
Keystone State Sporting Heritage Celebrated During Premier Caucus Event 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 …
Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women depend on healthy forests to provide quality wildlife habitat, and forest owners and land managers need accurate and accessible information to effectively manage forests. The Forest Data Modernization Act would update the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis Program to better inform forest management decision-making to improve forest …
CSF Supported Forest Data Modernization Act Introduced Read More »
Why It Matters: There was no shortage of legislation impacting hunters and anglers in the Magnolia State during the 2023 legislative session. Everything from establishing a dedicated source of funding for the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, to codifying key tenets of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, safeguarding Mississippi Department of Wildlife and …
Key Priorities Stall in Mississippi but Foundation Laid for 2024 Push Read More »
Why It Matters: Though license fees are often among the more affordable items needed to participate in many of our time-honored outdoor traditions, they are at times considered to be a barrier to participation. To alleviate some of these perceived hurdles, free fishing weekends are just one of the many opportunities afforded to those interested …
Why It Matters: The surge in fishing and hunting participation during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of our nation’s vast outdoors and abundant natural resources as an opportunity for Americans to reconnect with nature and improve mental and physical health. While most federal agencies responsible for managing our natural resources …
CSF Supported Bill to Create NOAA Youth Fishing Program Reintroduced Read More »
Why it Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has a tenured history in fighting against Sunday hunting prohibitions wherever they exist. In the northeast region, states including Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware continue to impose these restrictions – in their own unique ways – upon sportsmen and women. Being able to …
Sunday Hunting in the Northeast – Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs Read More »
Why It Matters: Nebraska’s 2023 legislative session provided many challenges as a near session-long filibuster ultimately blocked many proposed bills from being debated. Despite this hurdle, The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was successful in securing legislative victories that protect the investments in conservation made by sportsmen and women and provide greater resources for future conservation …
Victories Secured in the Cornhusker State Despite Gridlock Read More »
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies have long been recognized as the primary and most respected managers of fish and wildlife in the United States. These agencies are staffed by trained professionals with backgrounds in a wide variety of expertise including law enforcement, land management, wildlife biology, human dimensions, and numerous other disciplines. …
Caucus Driven and Bi-Partisan Wolf Bill Vetoed in Colorado Read More »
Why It Matters: Allowing full-time nonresident college students to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate recognizes the financial realities facing students attending higher education out-of-state. Additionally, by taking this step, this furthers hunter and angler recruitment, retention and reactivation goals and balances the modest decline in conservating funding with the long-term gains …
Why It Matters: The recreational boating and fishing community understands the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales and fully supports efforts to do so. However, a new proposed rule regarding vessel speed reductions along much of the Atlantic seaboard will have significant implications for offshore anglers and boaters at certain times of the year. …
House Subcommittee to Hold Oversight Hearing on Proposed Vessel Speed Rule Read More »
Why It Matters: The management of black bears – or lack thereof – in the northeast has made headlines over the past year. Connecticut garnered attention earlier this year when Senate Bill 1148 (S.B. 1148), legislation authorized the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to adopt regulations that would establish an …
Connecticut: Missed Opportunity to Manage State’s Black Bears Read More »
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