Why It Matters: State-based fish and wildlife management authority should be left in the jurisdiction of the respective state fish and wildlife agency. In Maine, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) is the best equipped to address fish and wildlife management issues within the Pine Tree State. It is staffed by trained professionals …
Maine Bill to Simplify Regulations Undermines Science-Based Wild Turkey Management Read More »
Why It Matters: North Dakota’s 2023 legislative session proved to be a busy one as it was packed with several important pieces of legislation, both good and bad for sportsmen and women. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active in promoting increased opportunities for youth hunters, and vigilant in opposing legislation that aimed to undermine …
Legislative Session Recap of the Peace Garden State Read More »
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies have long been recognized as the primary and most respected managers of fish and wildlife in the United States. These agencies are staffed by trained professionals with backgrounds in a wide variety of expertise including law enforcement, land management, wildlife biology, human dimensions, and numerous other disciplines. …
Colorado Wolf Legislation Makes Its Way to Governor’s Desk Read More »
Why It Matters: One of the key principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, the world’s most successful wildlife conservation model, is that wildlife resources are held in the public trust. At the core of this tenet is the Public Trust Doctrine, which established a trustee relationship for the government to manage fish, …
CSF Supported Stream Access Legislation Signed into Law in Georgia Read More »
Why It Matters: For years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has collected recreation fees at public-use facilities on Corps properties around the country, including boat ramps. Instead of using those fees for the upkeep or improvement of those boating access sites, the fees have been diverted to the general treasury of the United …
Bill to Keep Federal Boating Access Fees Local Reintroduced Read More »
Why It Matters: Oftentimes, achieving desired legislative outcomes requires dedicated persistence. This is especially true for a Michigan initiative that would create a licensing and reporting framework for commercial hunting and fishing guides in the state, which has been introduced in the legislature multiple times over the last few years. Highlights: A package of three …
Michigan Set for Another Run at Commercial Guiding Legislation Read More »
Why It Matters: Limitations on the use of lead ammunition while hunting must be left under the professional, science-based discretion of the respective state’s fish and wildlife agency and not the misinformed efforts of the legislature. In New York’s case, the Division of Fish and Wildlife is the primary manager of the state’s fish and …
Why It matters: House Bill 1240, as signed into law, bans many semi-automatic firearms commonly used by America’s sportsmen and women in hunting and recreational shooting. Modern sporting rifles and semi-automatic firearms are not only important to our hunting heritage but are highly popular in the recreational shooting community. This legislation severely undermines our hunting …
Governor Inslee Signs Modern Sporting Rifle Ban into Law in Washington Read More »
Why It Matters: Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife constitutional amendments protect the outdoor traditions of thousands of sportsmen and women from efforts to limit or outright ban hunting and fishing practices. Anti-sportsmen organizations continually lead efforts to persuade the public to believe that hunting, fishing, and harvesting wildlife are a privilege, subject to emotionally …
Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment Headed to the Ballot in FL in 2024 Read More »
Why It Matters: In 2021, Colorado Parks and Wildlife received over $80 million generated through hunting license sales, and a 10-11% federal excise tax on firearm and ammunition purchases under the Pittman-Robertson Act, that went directly to the agency for statewide conservation efforts. Without sportspeople purchasing hunting licenses, firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories, Colorado Parks …
Slate of Anti-Gun Bills on the Governor’s Desk in Colorado Read More »
Why It Matters: The use of lead ammunition and lead tackle in hunting and angling is a contentious issue, with the primary concern being the potential effects on wildlife. However, to this date, there has been limited documented evidence that sportsmen’s use of lead has had deleterious impacts on wildlife at the population level in …
Critical Access Bill Introduced by CSC Member Senator Steve Daines Read More »
Why It Matters: 2023 proved to be yet another busy and exciting year in the Old Line State. With regular sessions having adjourned sine die, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is taking a moment to reflect on its efforts to support legislation that increases access and opportunities for hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers in …
CSF Priorities on the Governor’s Desk in Maryland Read More »
Why It Matters: As the Kansas State Legislature adjourned for an extended break prior to returning for the state’s Veto Session, legislators in the House of Representatives and the Senate passed two bills of interest that will be moving to the Governor’s desk for consideration. Pertaining to no-cost licenses for disabled veterans and firearm safety …
Two Bills to Watch as the Veto Session Looms in Kansas Read More »
Why It Matters: Signed into law by Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Jim Justice, legislation to allow additional game species to be tracked with dogs when mortally wounded and legislation to authorize the use of a new muzzleloader product furthers ethical hunting practices and increases hunting opportunities for the Mountain State’s sportsmen and women who …
Why It Matters: South Carolina’s boating and fishing industries have a significant economic impact in the Palmetto State, and two federal initiatives underway threaten the traditions of offshore anglers by proposing to institute a new, untested fisheries data collection program and limiting vessel speeds not based on the best available science. Highlights: Over the last …
Why It Matters: California’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, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the California Department …
California Firearm and Ammunition Tax Bill Resurfaces Read More »
Why It Matters: Prohibitions and restrictions on Sunday hunting serve to the detriment of our nation’s sporting communities and state and local economies. An additional day to hunt would mean more dollars spent by hunters in restaurants, hotels, gas stations and stores throughout the state, boosting local economies. Relatedly, allowing farmers and other landowners to …
Sunday Hunting Bills Moving in Maine and Maryland Read More »
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 »
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