Why It Matters: Aside from the hunters themselves, sporting dogs are among the most important tools a hunter can utilize to ensure a successful hunt. Whether you own a labrador retriever to fetch ducks in the Mississippi bottomlands or a pack of small but fierce beagles to hunt rabbits in the dense cover of the …
Why it Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is well positioned to represent the entire sporting-conservation community on three important bills being considered in Congress by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. The Subcommittee level hearing marks an important step forward in the legislative process for these priority bills. Highlights: On …
CSF’s Director, Federal Relations Set to Testify on Three Bills Before Congress Read More »
Why it Matters: Firearms are arguably one of the most important sporting tools for hunting and shooting sports participation while serving as a critical source of conservation funding thanks to the Pittman-Robertson Act. State firearm preemption laws keep the regulation and lawmaking ability around firearms vested at the state level and limit the ability of …
Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women carry the bulk of the load as it relates to conservation funding through the “user pays – public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). While the sporting-conservation community bears this financial responsibility with honor, what is less discussed and appreciated is the role that non-resident hunters and anglers …
Crossing (State) Lines: The Role of Non-Resident Hunters in the Western US Read More »
Why It Matters: Following an overhaul of the state’s regulatory processes by the Indiana General Assembly, the process through which harvest quotas are set in the Hoosier State has been significantly complicated. Rather than harvest quotas being set based on population data collected by the Indiana DNR, those quotas must now be set through a …
Regulatory Process for Setting Harvest Limits Faces Challenges in Indiana Read More »
Why It Matters: In January 2013, New York State passed the NY SAFE Act which included a provision mandating background checks on ammunition at point of sale. In 2016, California followed suit with Proposition 63 which was later amended by the legislator to mandate ammunition background checks in 2019. Neither system could take effect until …
Ammunition Background Checks: A New Barrier for Hunters and Recreational Shooters Read More »
Why It Matters: While it may not be obvious or intuitive, for some species, the fish we release when saltwater fishing factors into how many days we can pursue that fish in the future. To ensure sustainable access to those fisheries, and because it is simply the right thing to do, we need to do …
Why It Matters: National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) was established in 1972 to celebrate and recognize hunters and anglers for their contributions to wildlife conservation. Hunting and fishing are time-honored traditions that help make up the very fabric of the Magnolia State, and Governor Tate Reeves recognized those traditions through signing a proclamation recognizing …
Why It Matters: As a part of their ongoing case to delist grizzly bears, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is reviewing and updating hunting and trapping rules to aid in their overall recovery plan. Temporary black bear hunting rules were recently adopted by the IDFG commission, and a formal rule making process, …
Why It Matters: As America’s original conservationists, sportsmen and women understand the importance of conserving our nation’s wildlife. This also rings true for conserving North Atlantic right whales (NARW). The recreational boating and fishing community fully supports efforts to protect NARW. However, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed rule, in its final stages …
Why It Matters: Legislators, particularly those with a passion for our shared outdoor pursuits, are typically flooded each day with opposition to and attacks against the things they do. Events that bring sportsmen and women together with legislators to celebrate our hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting traditions in a positive environment are an effective way …
Why It Matters: The irony that one of the most difficult birds to harvest is the first to open for hunting each year does not stop the dedicated sportsmen and women from being excited about their state’s upcoming dove opener. As the first fall hunting opportunity for many, dove seasons represent a great opportunity to …
On a Wing and a Prayer: Dove Seasons Draw Near Across the Country Read More »
Why It Matters: Year after year, many states are seeing large influxes of new residents, and with that, the need for more housing and expanded services continues. Expanded urbanization and development require land, and sometimes that comes at the expense of state lands that were once utilized by not only hunters, anglers, and trappers, but …
Why It Matters: The American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) is the nation’s leading consortium of hunting, wildlife professional, outdoor recreationists, and other conservation organizations that work under the same umbrella to build unity and develop consensus around the most pressing issues facing wildlife and sportsmen and women. While the 52 partner organizations of AWCP may …
CSF Chairs and Leads AWCP Summer Meeting, Hosted by Key Partners RMEF and B&C Read More »
Why It Matters: With rising black bear populations, bear sightings and conflicts are becoming more common place, beginning in 2024, New Hampshire bear hunters will now be allowed to take a second bear in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) C1, D2, E, or F, White Mountains Region. Historically, hunting has been the most efficient, cost-effective, and …
New Hampshire Hunters Called on to Manage Over-Target Bear Populations Read More »
Why It Matters: Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” for good reason. Abundant hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping opportunities can be found throughout the state, and these traditions continue to be protected in large part by the Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. However, having a pro-sportsmen governor as a member of the Governors Sportsmen’s …
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Joins the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Read More »
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that impacts members of the cervid family including deer, elk, caribou, and moose. This highly transmissible neurological disease is always fatal to infected animals, complicating wildlife management. While there is currently no evidence of CWD passing from deer to humans the CDC does …
Why it Matters: During recent legislative sessions, several states have proposed bills that would offer certain demographics free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses. While these bills are largely well intended, they carry often overlooked consequences that negatively impact the funding for the state fish and wildlife agencies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active …
Discounted and No-Cost Licenses in the Great Plains Read More »
Why It Matters: At the end of 2023, S. 788 – Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 was signed into law by President Biden. Since that signing, as of May 28, 2024 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that waterfowl hunters will be able to fully take advantage of the Duck Stamp Modernization Act for …
New Hampshire Governor Brings State in-line with Federal Electronic Duck Stamp Act Read More »
Why It Matters: The recreational boating and fishing community understands the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales (NARW) and fully supports efforts to do so. However, a new rule under final consideration by the White House Office of Management and Budget implementing a 10-knot speed limit for all vessels 35 feet and longer will …
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