July 10, 2013 (Washington, DC) – After coming up short during the 112th Congress to finalize a comprehensive sportsmen’s package, leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) addressed a packed room on Capitol Hill regarding a number of sportsmen’s legislative priorities for the 113th Congress. Putting politics aside, bipartisan members of the CSC committed to …
Sportsmen Legislators Seize the Moment to Promote Priorities for the 113th Congress Read More »
On Thursday, June 20, Alaska Governor and Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus member Sean Parnell signed legislation to reform their state’s knife statutes. Introduced by Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus member and National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council Vice President Representative Mark Neuman, H.B. 33 legalizes the possession, transfer and carrying of certain types of knives …
In a step to enhance recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director Jim Watson signed a new Interim Policy Document (IPD) regarding the conversion of decommissioned oil and gas platforms into artificial reefs, also known as “Rigs to Reef” policy. This policy replaces the 2009 policy addendum …
The bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) has recently added two new members, bringing the total to 24 governors. Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma and Governor Robert Bentley of Alabama have officially joined the GSC, affirming their commitment to protecting and advancing hunting, recreational fishing and shooting and trapping in their respective states. Governor Mary Fallin …
Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus expands to 24 members Read More »
On Thursday, June 20, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated their version of the five-year farm bill in a 195-234 vote. The vote fell far short of the 218 required for passage. A House-passed Farm Bill is necessary in order to get a bill into conference with the Senate-passed 2013 Farm Bill, which included sportsmen’s …
On Tuesday, June 11, the Executive Council (EC) of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) held their Midyear Meeting at Sunriver Resort in Bend, Oregon to discuss legislative priorities, recent successes, and ways to enrich the NASC network in the months and years to come. The NASC EC is a group of state sportsmen’s …
On Thursday, June 6, the New Jersey Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus, partnered with the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance – the Advisory Council that provides guidance and support for the Caucus – held a policy briefing to educate legislators, their staff, and members of the sportsmen’s conservation community on the issue of funding for the …
New Jersey Caucus Holds Policy Briefing on Marine Fisheries Funding Read More »
On Friday, June 21, Oregon animal rights activists received notification that they are now one step closer to their goal of placing a radical anti-trapping measure on the 2014 ballot. With the Secretary of State’s approval of the group’s signature gathering forms, “Trap Free Oregon” can now begin the process of gathering the 87,213 signatures …
Oregon Anti-Trapping Measure One Step Closer to Ballot Read More »
On Tuesday, June 18, the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their Annual Cigar Reception at the Susquehanna Ale House in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Approximately 130 people attended the event, including 70 members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley, and many allied-industry partners and representatives from in-state and national sportsmen’s conservation organizations. …
Pennsylvania Caucus Hosts Annual Cigar Reception Read More »
On Wednesday, June 12, the House Committee on Natural Resources voted 28-15 in favor of the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act (H.R. 1825). Introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) member Representative Dan Benishek, this legislation would require the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service to keep their lands open to hunting, …
On Monday, June 3, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) member Representative Duncan Hunter and CSC Vice-Chair Tim Walz sent out a Dear Colleague letter seeking original cosponsors for the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act. On Thursday, June 20, CSC Senate Vice-Chair James Risch and CSC member Senator Mark Udall introduced the Senate counterpart, S. …
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act Read More »
On Friday, June 14, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law the Sportsmen’s Act of 2013 – sponsored by Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative David Deen – at a ceremonial signing at the Barre Fish and Game Club. “This law represents the important working relationship between the Fish & Wildlife Department, …
June 13, 2013 (Washington, DC) – Surrounded by the spectacular views of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was joined by members of the sportsmen’s community for an evening of camaraderie in one of the nation’s most acclaimed areas for hunting and fishing. CSF’s “West Coast, Wine & Wildlife” reception and dinner, hosted …
CSF Celebrates America’s Sportsmen’s Heritage at “West Coast, Wine & Wildlife” Event Read More »
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has released a proposal to delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), returning management of the species to state wildlife authorities in the lower 48 states (with the exception of the Mexican wolf population). While wolves were already delisted in the Northern Rocky Mountains in …
Through the dedicated efforts of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), H.B. 1206, the “Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013” passed the House on June 3 under suspension of the rules. In March, Vice-Chair of the CSC, Representative Robert Wittman and fellow CSC member, Representative Ron Kind introduced H.B. 1206, which will allow all states …
Electronic Duck Stamp Bill Passes House with CSC Leadership Read More »
The court-mandated review of the Huron-Manistee Land and Resource Management Plan Revision of 2006 has been dismissed. After the U.S. Forest Service approved the plan in 2006, Michigan attorney Kurt Meister sued the Service claiming that it “failed to comply with several of its own regulations and one federal statute in developing its 2006 management …
Huron-Manistee National Forest Anti-hunting Lawsuit Dismissed Read More »
On May 15, 2013, the Preserving Access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area Act (H.R. 819) was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee. The legislation now awaits a vote on the House floor and is expected to be considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in June. This bill will reinstate …
Legislation to Restore Public Access at Cape Hatteras Moves Forward in the House Read More »
On Tuesday, June 4, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed legislation that will significantly increase hunter recruitment and retention in the state of North Carolina. S.B. 234 effectively establishes a Hunting Apprentice Permit that enables youth or beginners to experience hunting without completing the hunter education course if accompanied by an adult licensed hunter. The …
North Carolina: Governor Signs Legislation to Increase Hunter Recruitment Read More »
This week, the North Carolina House of Representatives will take up the proposed state budget previously passed by the Senate which features various cuts across the board. Most notably, the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) budget was slashed by 49% dropping the appropriations to the WRC from almost $18.5 million to just under $9.5 million. In …
North Carolina:Wildlife Resources Commission Subject to Proposed Budget Cuts Read More »
The U.S. Senate has voted to approve the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, a bipartisan Farm Bill authored by Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Ranking Member Senator Thad Cochran. Both Senators are members of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and ushered …
Senate Approves Farm Bill: Conservation Title and Sodsaver Program Included Read More »
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