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 »
June 7, 2013 (Washington, DC) – Next week, the North Carolina House of Representatives will take up the proposed state budget previously passed by the Senate that saw various cuts across the board. Most notably, the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) appropriations were slashed by 49% dropping the appropriations to the WRC from almost $18.5 million …
June 5, 2013 (Washington, DC) – As both the House and Senate move to reauthorize the 2013 Farm Bill, the conservation title is of paramount importance to America’s landowners, hunters and anglers. With this vital legislation hanging in the balance, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was joined by Members of Congress and sportsmen’s conservation groups …
CSF Hosts Breakfast Briefing: House Agriculture Committee Leaders Discuss Farm Bill Read More »
On May 8, Arizona Legislators for Wildlife, a member of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), participated in a “Cast & Blast” event organized by the Arizona Game & Fish Department, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and a host of other supporters from the hunting and fishing conservation community.Held at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility …
Last week, the California Assembly voted to pass A 711, legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Rendon, which would expand the state’s existing prohibition on hunting with lead ammunition in the California condor range to the entire state. If passed by the Senate and signed by California Governor Jerry Brown, A 711 would make California the …
Senate Democrats, led by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Senator Mark Begich, Chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee (DSOC), hosted a meeting on May 15 with a dozen sportsmen and other conservation groups. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) participated in the discussion, which focused on the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, the Sportsmen’s Act, …
On Tuesday, May 7, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing on “Impediments to Public Recreation on Public Lands.” Click here to view the archived webcast of the hearing. Panelists told members of the Natural Resources Subcommittee that current laws impose costly analysis, limitations on group size and substantial permitting …
Hearing Held on Impediments to Public Recreation on Public Lands Read More »
On Thursday, May 9, the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1825, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act. This legislation, which passed the House during the 112th Congress as a part of H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012, …
Hearing Held on Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act Read More »
On Wednesday, May 22, the Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their inaugural reception at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta, Maine. Legislators gathered to discuss the way the Caucus will function and learn about the overall impact Maine sportsmen and women have on the economy. Leadership of the newly formed Maine Caucus was in attendance, …
On Wednesday, May 15, the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation (MLSF) – the Advisory Council that works alongside the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – hosted their 12th Annual Banquet and Auction at the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis, MD. The Annual Banquet drew together leaders of Maryland’s conservation community, including members of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s …
Maryland: Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation 12th Annual Banquet Read More »
On Wednesday, May 22, CSF’s Northeastern States Manager, Brent Miller, testified at a legislative forum on several pieces of legislation which will grant the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to regulate crossbows. Recent successes in states that have adopted crossbows throughout all deer seasons confirm that crossbows are a successful tool …
On Wednesday, May 15, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law S. 623 which expands Pennsylvania’s Apprentice Hunting program to include all prospective hunters, regardless of age. The measure was sponsored by Senator Jake Corman, and was co-sponsored by many members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, including both Senate Co-Chairs of the Caucus, Senators Richard …
Pennsylvania: Governor Corbett Signs Families Afield Bill Read More »
On May 14, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee successfully reported a five-year Farm Bill out of committee to the Senate floor. The bipartisan effort, led by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) member and Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Debbie Stabenow, passed with strong bipartisan support on a 15-5 vote. The Senate Agriculture …
Senate Agriculture Committee reports Bipartisan Farm Bill Read More »
May 21, 2013 (Washington, DC) – This morning, Chris Horton, Midwest States Director for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), testified before the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill. The hearing focused on data collection issues in relation to the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation …
