Why It Matters: If you have ever fished offshore in the Gulf of Mexico from Alabama to Texas, chances are, you found fish near an offshore oil and gas platform. These hard structures that dot the Gulf provide valuable habitat for fish, corals, and invertebrates and important fishing destinations for anglers and commercial fishermen alike. …
Saving Fisheries Habitat One Oil Platform at a Time Read More »
Why It Matters: Prohibiting the use of lead fishing equipment in certain Minnesota waters is likely to have a negative impact on anglers’ ability to enjoy their favorite pastime, and it would also negatively impact revenue realized by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Highlights: Minnesota House File 2310, the House Natural Resource budget bill, …
Why It Matters: As it currently stands, having no closed season on hunting coyotes in Maine during the daylight allows sportsmen and women the opportunity to spend more days afield, teaching others about our nation’s hunting heritage, and further contributing to the American System of Conservation Funding. Should there be a need for an established …
Coyotes on the Menu for Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee Read More »
Why It Matters: In the western US, there is a growing concern that shed hunters are contributing significantly to increased stress of wintering big game, especially in areas that may have experienced severe winter weather. As conservationists first, sportspeople in Idaho came together to advocate for this important measure that balances sportsperson access and opportunity …
Idaho Fish and Game Commission Granted Authority to Manage Shed Hunting Read More »
Why It Matters: An effort to make hunting and fishing, including the use of traditional methods, a constitutional right in Florida is underway with the introduction of House Joint Resolution 1157 and Senate Joint Resolution 1234. Currently, 23 state constitutions, including all of Florida’s neighboring states, have been amended to include the right to hunt, fish, …
Right to Hunt and Fish Gains Positive Momentum in Florida Read More »
Why It Matters: The Range Access Act (H.R. 1614) will bolster recreational shooting opportunities for America’s 32 million recreational target shooters and nearly 16 million hunters. Recreational shooting has continued to expand in popularity across the country, and this legislation will help provide additional opportunities for safe, accessible recreational shooting on federal public lands. As …
CSF Endorsed Range Access Act Receives Bipartisan Support in House Hearing Read More »
Why It Matters: While many states across the U.S. hold sportsmen and women in high regard, it is important that the sporting conservation community take steps to ensure that this view is retained. Oklahoma’s SCR 4 is a shining example of how the role of sportsmen and women as conservationists can be highlighted while encouraging …
Why It Matters: During the final week of the 2023 Legislative Session in Arkansas, Caucus members continued to advance legislation designed to promote wildlife habitat conservation, recruit the next generation of sportsmen and sportswomen, and generally support our nation’s time-honored outdoor traditions. As the end of other state legislative sessions continue to draw near across …
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 …
Efforts Underway in the Oregon Legislature to Implement Measure 114 Read More »
Why It Matters: Offshore fishing is an integral part of Georgia’s sporting heritage, and it also supports many coastal economies. Proposed federal regulations that limit the speed in which vessels can travel off the east coast gravely threaten fishing opportunities, economies, and the safety of boaters. These regulations were proposed without input from the recreational fishing …
Why It Matters: Sometimes, a bill that would harm the interests of sportsmen and women has the support of both legislative chambers in a state. When this is the case, it is imperative that the groups defending those interests do all that they can to educate legislators on how the language could be improved to …
CSF and Partners Salvage Language in Michigan Firearm Legislation Read More »
Why It Matters: Mentored youth hunting programs are crucial for introducing the next generation of sportsmen and women into the outdoors, and language such as what’s included in Governor Hochul’s proposed budget has the potential to leave a legacy of opportunities for New York’s youth hunters. The State’s Pilot Program, which allowed counties to opt-in …
Sporting Industry Pens Letter of Support for Mentored Youth Hunting in New York Read More »
Why It Matters: As New York wraps up its budget-setting portion of the year, the legislature will waste no time in heating up with committee hearings. Sportsmen’s policies such as the expanded use of crossbows and allowing 12 and 13year-old hunters to pursue deer with a firearm and/or crossbow remain top-line priorities as we enter …
The Long-Awaited Return of New York’s Sportsman-Legislator Breakfast Read More »
Why It Matters: The Cumberland Forest area is home to Kentucky’s Elk Management Zone and also provides key habitat for a number of other game and nongame species. Maintaining public access through measures such as conservation easements is crucial to ensuring these landscapes are available for outdoor activities for generations to come. Access, including the …
Why It Matters: For years, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has supported efforts to restore state wildlife management authority of species that are recovered under the Endangered Species Act, including grizzly bears and gray wolves. Furthermore, CSF has long supported efforts to alleviate the costly procedural hurdles imposed by the Cottonwood decision. Last week’s hearing …
Why It Matters: A working partnership between state fish and wildlife agencies and private landowners, particularly in states with limited public lands, is critical as agencies seek to fulfill their mission to provide opportunities for land access and support wildlife habitat conservation. State fish and wildlife agencies are best equipped for making science-based wildlife management …
North Dakota Looks to Work with Private Landowners for Habitat Development Read More »
Why It Matters: As the leading voice for sportsmen and women in the policy arena, CSF and staff engage in a variety of ways. Appointments to Federal Councils allows CSF to further its scope of contribution to the policy process. Highlights: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Assistant Manager, Rocky Mountain States and Predator and Furbearer Management Policy, was …
Why It Matters: Efforts to conserve – not “preserve” – African species are generally honorable, but they must be made in coordination with the range nations where the species are located. To implement a process that creates unreasonable hurdles on these nations poses to, among many things, curb hunting in Africa and sideline the coordination …
CSF Submits Comment on Proposed FWS Revision for the African Elephant Read More »
Why It Matters: The Range Access Act is an essential piece of legislation to increase access opportunities for America’s hunters and recreational shooters. As recreational shooting continues to grow in popularity, this legislation will help increase opportunities for hunters and target shooters to participate in shooting sports. At a time when lack of access is …
Why It Matters: Under current law, when a hunter purchases an electronic federal duck stamp, the e-stamp is only valid for 45 days to allow for a physical stamp to be mailed. Once the 45-day period has passed, the e-stamp is no longer valid, and a hunter must have a signed physical stamp in their …
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