Why It Matters: Advocacy regarding policies that impact anglers often focus on today’s threats and opportunities rather than looking down the road at what the future may hold. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) recently surveyed many of their members to gather perspectives on our community’s strength and weaknesses, as well as to identify future opportunities …
Why It Matters: The recreational boating and fishing community understands the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales (NARW) 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 …
CSF and Partners Provide Funding Recommendations for Whale Conservation Efforts Read More »
Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, sportsmen and women across the nation celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD). This year’s efforts from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) helped secure proclamations commemorating the day from 39 governors and the President of the United States. Governors from all 12 Southeastern region states signed NHFD proclamations …
Why it Matters: The use of ballot initiatives to restrict or ban hunting circumvents the legislative and regulatory process that allows for input by professionals, opportunities for revisions, and considerations of broader impacts within the state’s overall science-based management plan. These initiatives can allow wildlife management decisions to be made based on emotion rather than …
Proposed Colorado Ballot Initiative Would Ban All Mountain Lion and Bobcat Hunting Read More »
Why It Matters: After the Arkansas Legislature passed a bill to create a discounted resident Youth Lifetime Combination License during the 2023 Legislative Session, a limited number are officially for sale across the Natural State. This discounted license will provide parents and legal guardians the opportunity to invest in their child’s lifetime future as a …
Why It Matters: California’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, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the California …
Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, the sporting community celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) across the country. Thanks to the efforts of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CFS) regional and federal staff, 38 Governors and the President of the United States, issued proclamations commemorating the day. In New England alone, Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus …
Why it Matters: The opinions of hunters often play an important role in adjusting hunting regulations to achieve hunter satisfaction and, most importantly, meeting the conservation needs of culturally and economically important game species. Recent efforts to understand hunter perspectives in Missouri represent this notion in action, likely to result in positive changes for the …
Missouri Hunters Asked to Talk Turkey on Potential Regulatory Changes Read More »
Why It Matters: As deer seasons are opening across the Southeast, sportsmen and women should not rule out urban properties to hang a tree stand or set up a ground blind. Several states in the Southeast offer urban archery seasons which expand deer hunting opportunities and help to manage human/wildlife conflicts. Urban archery seasons are …
Urban Archery Seasons Provide Expanded Hunting Opportunities in the Southeast Read More »
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 Fish and Game Council Sets Annual Bear Hunt Until 2028 Read More »
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 Legislature, Awaiting Governor’s Signature Read More »
Why It Matters: Science-based wildlife management is a quintessential element of conservation success in America. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) supports legislative efforts that retain state wildlife management agency authority while ensuring that those agencies are following practices that are best for the state’s wildlife populations and the sportsmen and women that pursue them. Highlights: …
CSF Supports Wisconsin Wolf Management Legislation Introduced by Caucus Co-Chair Read More »
Why It Matters: Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in north central Alabama is 8,870 acres of prime wildlife habitat and a very popular public land hunting destination for waterfowlers. In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion on Interstate 65 and U.S. 31, the City of Decatur and TTL, Inc. are proposing several routes for a new …
Proposed Bridge Routes Could Impact Duck Hunting Opportunities in Alabama Read More »
Why It Matters: Science-based fisheries management and access to our fisheries have always been at the center of CSF’s mission. In both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, sharks are increasingly intercepting fish being landed by recreational and commercial anglers, creating frustration for anglers and challenges for fisheries sustainability. Tomorrow, the House Natural …
CSF Priority Legislation to Address Shark Depredation Teed Up in House Committee Read More »
Why it Matters: On September 12, 2023, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Northeastern States Assistant Manager, Fred Bird submitted a letter of opposition to the Joint Committee on Revenue regarding Massachusetts (MA) House Bill (HB) 2771 An Act Establishing an Excise Tax on Ammunition. HB 2771 is very likely to result in an unintended and consequential …
Massachusetts House Bill 2771 Seeks to Double-Down on Ammo Taxes Read More »
Why It Matters: Hailing from a region of the Mountain State with a particularly strong sporting heritage, Delegate Dean will continue working to ensure that the sportsmen and women of West Virginia are well represented at the West Virginia Legislature. Delegate Dean continues the tradition of pro-sportsmen legislators stepping up to protect outdoor sporting traditions …
New Sportsmen’s Caucus Leader Added in West Virginia Read More »
Why It Matters: One of the most important challenges that sportsmen and women face today is passing on the outdoor traditions that we cherish to new generations. Broadening the base of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers is instrumental to securing the legacy of the American outdoors, and free fishing days aim to do just …
Indiana Aims to Hook Newcomers with Fall Free Fishing Day Read More »
Why it matters: In June 2022, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which included language that prohibited training school personnel in the use of a “dangerous weapon”. Unfortunately, the BSCA is having the unintended consequence of limiting certain U.S. Department of Education funds from being used for important educational programs such as archery …
CSF Continues Work with CSC Members to Address Hunter Education Issue Read More »
Why it Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) maintains that opportunities for sportsmen and women to harvest wildlife, subject to regulations and limitations established by state fish and wildlife management agencies, is one of the most effective tools for managing populations. Recently, due to challenges created by increased populations of mesopredators like raccoons, state agencies, …
Why it matters: The U.S. Forest Service is largely understaffed and underfunded given their immense responsibilities as one of the nation’s largest land managers. The Good Neighbor Authority allows states, counties, and tribes to partner with the Forest Service to conduct forest management projects. States, counties, and tribes have a vested interest in the health …
