Why It Matters: Any time a new opportunity for hunters to spend time afield is announced, there is unquestionably a conservation success story that can be shared. For black bear hunters in the Lower Midwest, this is particularly true. Thanks to the great work of state fish and wildlife agencies, many of which are primarily …
Why It Matters: Earlier this year, the FWC approved a limited, highly regulated season for some harvest of goliath grouper using population data that showed goliath grouper is no longer subject to overfishing. The current catch-and-release regulations in place are proving to be effective in ensuring healthy goliath grouper populations as well as for providing …
FWC Punts on Proposed Goliath Grouper Spawning Aggregation Closures Read More »
Why It Matters: Senate Bill 5217, and the expected reintroduced version, seeks to ban 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 would …
Legislation to Ban Modern Sporting Rifles to be Re-Introduced in Washington Read More »
Why It Matters: When regulations are updated by a state’s fish and wildlife management agency, there may be changes that go unnoticed by hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters. As the original conservationists, sportsmen and women must be up-to-date on their state’s regulations so they may responsibly pursue their favorite outdoor pastime. Highlights: Earlier this …
Key Takeaways from Hunting and Trapping Regulatory Clean-Up in Illinois Read More »
Why It Matters: The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) provides an opportunity every two years to enhance the Corps ability to provide public recreational activities like fishing and boating, as well as authorizing projects that improve fish habitat, water conservation, coastal resiliency, and curtail the threats of invasive species. WRDA 22, now a part of …
Benefits to Anglers and Boaters Poised to Become Law in the NDAA Read More »
Why it Matters: Fish and wildlife management decisions in New Jersey must be left to the Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Council. Instead, black bears in the Garden State have found themselves at the center of political controversy. For the past several years, the state’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management …
A Late Start, But New Jersey’s 2023 Black Bear Season Is On Read More »
Why It Matters: When regulations are updated by a state’s fish and wildlife management agency, there may be changes that go unnoticed by hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters. As the original conservationists, sportsmen and women must be up-to-date on their state’s regulations so they may responsibly pursue their favorite outdoor pastime. Highlights: Earlier this …
Key Takeaways from Hunting and Trapping Regulatory Clean-Up in Illinois Read More »
Why It Matters: As an avid sportsman, Representative Adams will help ensure hunters and anglers are represented well at the Statehouse. North Carolina’s outdoor sporting traditions are integral to the cultural and economic fabric of the Old North State, and Representative Adams will carry on the tradition of the Caucus being a leading voice for …
New Sportsmen’s Caucus Leadership Takes the Helm in North Carolina Read More »
Why It Matters: With roughly three legislative weeks left in the Congressional calendar, it is now or never to pass legislation before the door closes on the 117th Congress. If CSF’s priorities are left unaddressed by the time this Congress finishes, each piece of legislation will have to start over at the beginning of the …
The Top Issues Congress Should Pass Before the End of the 117th Congress Read More »
Why It Matters: The proposed rule change to close these goliath grouper spawning aggregation sites to catch-and-release fishing in hopes to reduce perceived, potential impacts on goliath grouper populations is not scientifically based. Additionally, these sites are near the heavily populated southeast Florida region, and if they were closed to recreational fishing during one of …
CSF Opposes Goliath Grouper Aggregation Closures to Fishing in Florida Read More »
Why It Matters: Often the target of misinformation designed to undermine our time-honored outdoor traditions, trapping represents one of the most widely supported methods of harvest for species that are not easily taken through hunting. Well-regulated and legal trapping efforts guided by widely accepted Best Management Practices represent an interesting opportunity that is often overlooked …
Falling Into the Same Old Traps: The Unsung Hero that is Furbearer Trapping Read More »
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 Department of …
Measure 114 Passes in Oregon; Sportsmen’s Coalition Will Continue Read More »
Why It Matters: From headwater streams to the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners play a big role in the health of our fisheries and water quality. Through the Farm Bill’s Title II conservation programs, these private landowners have the tools and funding they need to …
Why It Matters: Senator Goodman stepping into this leadership role is important to the advancement of the Caucus as Senator Harper provided invaluable leadership to its success. From the mountains to the coast, Georgia features a robust assortment of hunting and fishing opportunities, and the bicameral and bipartisan Caucus serves on the front lines of …
Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women are greatly responsible for the many American conservation successes through their funding of state agencies, an important role in wildlife population management. However, the contributions of sportsmen and sportswomen do not end with conservation funding. With the holiday season approaching, game meat donation programs serve as an opportunity for …
Why It Matters: Fish and wildlife management decisions in New Jersey must be left to the Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Council. Instead, black bears in the Garden State have found themselves at the center of political controversy. For the past several years, the state’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management …
Why It Matters: Colorado is experiencing rapid growth of participation in outdoor recreation, coupled with unprecedented levels of relocation to rural areas of the state. While having more people enjoying the great outdoors is fantastic, it is creating an unprecedented strain on our public lands and wildlife that must be properly management and mitigated. Highlights: …
To Protect Elk Herd, CSF Opposes Mad Rabbit Trails Project Read More »
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 …
Action Needed: Coyote Calling Contests in the Crosshairs in Oregon Read More »
Why It Matters: With an estimated 7.5 million anglers who pursue Atlantic striped bass, it is the most economically and culturally important recreational fish species from North Carolina to Maine. It is vitally important to communities along the mid and upper Atlantic Seaboard that striped bass are sustainably managed for abundance and access by the …
Atlantic Striped Bass Management Seems Headed in Right Direction Read More »
Why It Matters: Despite the importance of young forests to a variety of wildlife species, young forests and other early successional habitats comprise less than 1% of the George Washington National Forest. Implementation of the Archer Knob Project is critical to reversing the habitat loss and declines in wildlife, including species pursued by Virginia’s hunters …