On Wednesday, March 6, the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held its annual banquet at the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem. Consisting of 36 Oregon state legislators, the caucus took advantage of this opportunity to celebrate the state’s wildlife heritage and discuss their efforts on behalf of the Beaver State’s sportsmen and women. The caucus was …
On February 22, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Bob McDonnell signed two pro-sportsmen angling bills into law. SB 1106, sponsored by Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr., authorizes the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to revoke a person’s fishing privileges (for up to 2 years) within the tidal waters if he or she …
Virginia –Two Pro-Sportsmen Angling Bills Signed into Law Read More »
Phil Morlock, Director of Environmental Affairs for Shimano and Board Member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), received the Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence on February 15 at the Spring Fishing and Boat Show in Mississauga, Ontario. The Rick Amsbury Award is presented annually to an individual for their outstanding work on behalf of fish …
CSF Board Member Phil Morlock Receives Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence Read More »
On Saturday, February 23, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Western States Manager Andy Treharne appeared on KNST Tucson’s Arizona Outdoors program to discuss the economic impact of Arizona’s sportsmen and women with host Paul Birmingham. In short, the economic benefits, which are outlined in CSF’s recently released State Economic Impact Report (SEIR) for Arizona, are staggering: …
CSF Highlights Hunting and Fishing Economics on Arizona Radio Read More »
On February 21, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Midwestern States Director Chris Horton attended the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) workshop on the Rigs to Reefs program in New Orleans as a follow-up to their November informational meeting in Houston. During the workshop, participants discussed the permitting process for the Rigs to Reefs program …
CSF Staff Attends Rigs to Reefs Workshop in New Orleans Read More »
February 27, 2013 (Washington, DC) – Against a backdrop of partisan divisiveness on Capitol Hill, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) held its Annual “Welcome to Congress” reception for members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) for the 113th Congress on Tuesday night. The reception, which included 46 bipartisan Members of Congress, from both sides of …
CSF Welcomes Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to 113th Congress Read More »
Maryland HB 797, introduced by Delegate Maggie McIntosh, was heard in the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee at 1:00pm on Tuesday, February 26. HB 797, initially introduced on February 6, would help promote access to Maryland’s fishable waters by requiring that transportation projects consider the feasibility of waterway access along the state’s roads and bridges. …
Maryland – Committee Hearing on Pro-Angling Access Bill (HB 797) Read More »
On Thursday, February 14, SB 56, which would have banned the practice of taking bears over bait in New Hampshire, was defeated by a voice vote. This bill was initially introduced on January 3 by Senator Jeanie Forrester. Members of the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus were successful in educating legislators on the value of …
New Hampshire – Proposed Ban on Taking Bear over Bait (SB 56) Defeated Read More »
On Tuesday February 26, 41 hunting and fishing conservation organizations sent a letter urging Secretaries Salazar and Vilsack to continue funding hunter and angler access projects within the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for FY2014. This important budget item would dedicate a very small portion of the LWCF to enhancing recreational access to Federal …
This month, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) released state specific fact sheets highlighting the economic impacts of sportsmen and women in all 50 states. The state fact sheets follow the release of CSF’s national report, America’s Sporting Heritage, Fueling the American Economy, which was released in mid-January. Intended to provide a series of “sound bites” …
February 25, 2013 (Washington, DC) – Members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) gathered with sportsmen-industry leaders at a GSC reception on Saturday in Washington, DC. The eight governors in attendance voiced their commitment to the outdoor traditions that the GSC works to protect and recalled many personal hunting and fishing experiences from their respective …
Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Gathers in Washington Read More »
The Bureau of Land Management is currently seeking nominations for citizens who wish to participate on Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) at the local level in states throughout the West. Comprised of 10 to 15 citizen-members, RACs provide appointed public stakeholders with the opportunity to offer the BLM recommendations on how the agencies approximately 245 million …
BLM Seeks Local Citizen Participation on Resource Advisory Councils Read More »
Chris Horton, Midwestern States Director for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), was recently appointed to serve a two-year term on the Recreational Fisheries Working Group of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). MAFAC was established in 1971 to advise the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource matters and ensure policies meet the needs of …
Two bills, both of which would severely restrict the types of tackle eligible for use by Maine anglers, were heard in Committee last Tuesday, February 5. LD 42 would prohibit the use of all artificial lures made from rubber, while LD 43 would specify that all hooks “must be made of a material that degrades …
Maine – Oppose: Proposed Bans on Rubber Lures (LD 42) and Nondegradable Hooks (LD 43) Read More »
In 2000, New Hampshire was the first state to ban lead sinkers and jigs. The alleged justification for such ban was to protect common loons and other diving birds. In the years following, several additional bills were passed which further impacted the use of lead tackle. Last year, SB 224 was considered, which would have …
This month, CSF released state specific factsheets highlighting the economic impact from sportsmen and women in all 50 states. The state fact sheets follow the release of CSF’s national report, America’s Sporting Heritage, Fueling the American Economy, which was released in mid-January. Intended to provide a series of “sound bites” that resonate within the outdoor …
Despite the strong tradition of ethics that the vast majority of hunter and anglers abide by, there are those that disregard the laws that regulate hunting and fishing. To address these violations, the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact was created in 1989 to provide a mechanism to allow state fish and wildlife agencies to share information …
Vermont & New Hampshire – Support: Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact Read More »
On Tuesday, February 5, the Washington Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus gathered at the State Capitol in Olympia to discuss sportsmen’s issues with hunting, recreational fishing and shooting and trapping groups from throughout the state. Hosted by Senator Pam Roach and sponsored by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the Northwest Sportfish Industry Association, the Washington luncheon …
On February 5 and 6 of 2013, the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC) held its winter meeting in Washington, D.C. Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), was reappointed by Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to sit on the on the Council …
February 6, 2013 (Washington, DC) – On February 4, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted the “Changing of the Guard” reception and dinner in Washington, DC. The event honored the prior leadership of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and welcomed the 113th Congress’ CSC leadership. Eleven members of Congress joined hunting, fishing, and other …
CSC Leadership Takes Office and Promises Action on the Sportsmen’s Package Read More »