Why it Matters: In recent years, hunting and fishing tournaments have come under fire by “animal rights” organizations who don’t like the idea of animals being taken for a prize or reward. These groups, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Project Coyote, have been organizing in numerous states against these …
Coyote Calling Contests Are Back in the Crosshairs in Oregon Read More »
Why It Matters: Sunday hunting restrictions are Blue Laws with no basis in wildlife management that restrict only one user-group, hunters, from accessing public lands on Sundays. Removing Sunday hunting restrictions in the Palmetto State is a priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the Sunday Hunting Coalition, the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and …
Sunday Hunting – Finally Open on Public Lands in South Carolina Read More »
Why it Matters: Victories not only come in the form of passing legislation that supports our time-honored traditions, but also through the defeat of legislation that aims to negatively impact the activities that we all hold dear. Since the legislative sessions in the Great Plains have been adjourned, now is a great time to look …
Victories Secured Across the Great Plains Region Read More »
Why it Matters: After a record setting spring turkey harvest of 5,725 birds in 2022, New Hampshire’s spring turkey hunters took 5,580 birds in spring 2023. According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s turkey biologist, Allison Keating, this past spring marks the fifth consecutive year that the spring turkey harvest exceeded 5,000 birds. …
New Hampshire Spring Turkey Harvest Indicates Healthy Populations Heading into Fall Read More »
Last Friday, August 4th over 150 individuals (including 30 beginners), gathered just outside of Washington, D.C. to participate in the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) August Recess Clays Competition. This event brings together staff from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, sporting-conservation leaders, and industry partners for a day at the range filled with bipartisan competition, outdoor education …
CSF’s Annual August Recess Clays Competition Takes Aim for Camaraderie and Education Read More »
Why it matters: Hunter education, archery in schools, wilderness courses, and other outdoor focused school activities provide unmatched enrichment opportunities for students from all walks of life. These programs provide critical life skills for students and, according to teachers engaged with these programs, student participation has been correlated with improvements in academic performance, behavior, and school …
Why it Matters: Providing wildlife safe passage over or under highways is of mutual benefit to public safety and wildlife populations. Highways often prevent wildlife from safely moving between important habitats. As a result, thousands of animals, including many sensitive species, are killed each year in wildlife-vehicle collisions. Wildlife crossings are especially critical for migrating …
CSF Supports Vital Wildlife Crossing Project in Colorado Read More »
Why It Matters: From inland lakes and rivers to offshore destinations, the Palmetto State offers boaters, anglers, and hunters a wide variety of opportunities on the water. To ensure a successful experience, boater safety is paramount. During the first half of 2023, there were 74 boating accidents and 7 boating related deaths in South Carolina. …
CSF-Backed Boater Safety Bill in South Carolina Takes Effect This Month Read More »
Why it Matters: A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 1 p.m. on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 3.02 Hunting of Particular Game in Massachusetts. The proposed regulations would extend the dates of the deer archery hunting season in Wildlife Management Zones 1–9 by two weeks. For those unfamiliar …
Potential Archery Season Expansion to be Heard in Massachusetts Read More »
Why It Matters: As most state legislatures across the country have adjourned, the tail-end of summer offers a chance to reflect on policy victories in the conservation sphere while looking forward to securing more victories in remaining states that meet year-round. In the Great Lakes region, state legislatures in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota have adjourned …
Five Key Legislative Victories from the Great Lakes Region Read More »
Why It Matters: Restoring and improving fisheries habitat, science-based fisheries management, and access to our fisheries have always been at the center of CSF’s mission. Last week, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries hosted a hearing on three CSF-supported bills that seek to fund coastal conservation, develop a task force to …
CSF Lends Strong Support for Three Bills Before House Subcommittee Read More »
Why It Matters: Oregon’s law-abiding hunters and recreational 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 …
Notice of Intent to Appeal Filed in Legal Battle Over Oregon’s Measure 114 Read More »
Why it Matters: On June 26, 2023, members of the Massachusetts House introduced MA House Docket (HD) 4420 An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws, an aggressive gun control package that takes aim at a wide swath of firearm ownership and use. After its introduction, HD 4420 quickly made its way to the Joint Committee on Public …
Massachusetts Brings Sweeping Gun Control Package to Beacon Hill Read More »
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies stand at the forefront, not only in terms of the management of our nation’s public trust fish and wildlife resources, but as it relates to our ability to pursue them. With that in mind, it is important that we, as sportsmen and women, understand the importance of …
Who’s the Boss?: A Deeper Dive into the State Wildlife Management Authority Conversation Read More »
Why It Matters: Many state fish and wildlife agencies offer quota hunts to both resident and nonresident hunters that provide novice and experienced hunters alike with unique opportunities. Quota hunt programs also support recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts and conservation funding. Highlights: A limited number of tags are issued for quota hunts which can lead …
Quota Hunts Offer Unique Hunting Opportunities to Sportsmen and Women in the Southeast Read More »
Why It Matters: The National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council is a bipartisan group of state sportsmen-legislators who lead the NASC network by providing advice to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) on the administration of the NASC program. Representing states from Alaska to Maine, and South Carolina to New Mexico, Executive Council Members …
NASC Executive Council Holds Successful Mid-Year Meeting in Oklahoma Read More »
Why It Matters: Skyway Fishing Pier State Park (Skyway Pier) is a popular angling destination for many recreational fishermen in Florida who may not have access to a boat or have mobility issues. Due to its proximity to breeding colonies of pelicans, itis also a hot spot for pelicans getting entangled in fishing line, which may …
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 Game and Fish Council Votes to Support Return of Black Bear Hunting Season Read More »
Why It Matters: Across the United States, state fish and wildlife agencies make management decisions based on impacts to species at the population-level. Straying from this nearly universally practiced approach – particularly when creating a rule to prohibit lead ammunition, which is not readily available to meet the demands of sportsmen and women – may …
Why it Matters: Trapping plays a pivotal role in conservation in the United States that cannot be replicated or replaced effectively. While it may feel like an uphill battle, there are numerous collaborative state, regional, and national efforts that are actively working at multiple levels to protect and advance trapping, predator hunting and their valued …
What Does the Future Hold for Trapping and Furbearer Management? Read More »
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