Why It Matters: Presently, Michigan does not have a well-regulated system for controlling its commercial hunting and sport fishing guide industry. A package of bills that would remedy this problem by providing important requirements for guides while simultaneously providing funding to the state natural resource agency is still waiting to be brought to the House …
Why It Matters: The dove hunt provided an opportunity for Caucus members, sportsmen’s groups, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) staff to enjoy a day afield together, celebrating Tennessee’s outdoor sporting heritage. Highlights: On September 13, the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus), in coordination with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, hosted their hosted their annual dove hunt at …
Why It Matters: Being aware of changes to state laws and regulations is the first step in any successful hunting season. Before the buck-of-a-lifetime walks into your crosshairs this year, make sure that you are up to speed on any changes that may or may not be taking effect this hunting season. Highlights: Midwestern states …
Why It Matters: As the South Atlantic red snapper population continues to grow in abundance, more are estimated to be caught and released outside of the short red snapper mini season. A percentage of the fish released counts towards the overall mortality estimates in the fishery. While there are 54 other species in the Snapper …
CSF Expresses Concerns with South Atlantic Council Direction Read More »
Contact: Joe Mullin, Manager, Northeastern States Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies are instrumental in setting the frameworks responsible for the successful conservation and management of a state’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Sportsmen and women (including hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers) have played a crucial role in funding conservation efforts in …
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States, Assistant Manager Why It Matters: Colorado has a supply and demand problem when it comes to big game hunting opportunity with a record-high of 685,000 applications for Colorado big game hunting were submitted in 2021. The largest source of funding for Colorado’s Wildlife Operations is the Wildlife Cash Fund, …
The Battle Begins Over Colorado’s Big Game License Allocation Read More »
Why It Matters: One day after waterfowl seasons opened in many Canadian provinces, APHIS issued an announcement on Friday, September 2 around 6:30 pm eastern leading up to the Labor Day holiday weekend, that banned the importation of game bird from Canada. This decision was not rooted in science, however, the announcement by APHIS to …
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Why It Matters: While Mississippi hunters get to hit the deer woods a few weeks earlier than usual, the establishment of this new hunting season benefits the “user pays — public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) through the creation of the $10.00 permit. Having hunters submit CWD samples to the MDWFP …
Velvet Bucks on the Docket for Mississippi Bowhunters Read More »
Contact: Keely Hopkins, Manager, Pacific States & Firearm Policy 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 …
California Firearm and Ammunition Tax Bill Fails As Legislative Session Adjourns Read More »
Contact: Joe Bachar, New England States Coordinator Why It Matters: CSF has a tenured history in working alongside fish, wildlife, and forestry managers at both the state and federal levels to advocate for active forest management practices across the nation. Compared to passive management, active management is more effective for improving wildlife habitat, increasing forest …
CSF and Vermont Sportsmen’s Caucus Weigh-In on Timber Harvest Project Read More »
Contact: Robert Matthews, Senior Coordinator, Upper Midwestern States Why It Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation works with countless members of the conservation community in each state, including legislators, fish and wildlife management agencies, and advocacy partners to protect the outdoor heritage that American sportsmen and women cherish. Co-sponsoring an event is a valuable way that …
CSF Co-Sponsors Legislative Fishing Event in Indiana Read More »
Why It Matters: The Pittman-Robertson Act is a celebrated partnership in support of conservation, our hunting and recreational shooting heritage, and our firearms rights. The Pittman-Robertson Act emboldens our ability to exercise our recreational shooting rights and our hunting heritage. It is through this “user pays – public benefits” structure in which those who use …
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Why It Matters: Resolutions, and especially signing ceremonies, raise awareness for the public about the critical conservation funding generated by sportsmen and women through the “user pays – public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding. In 2021, 43 Governors and President Biden issued National Hunting and Fishing Day Proclamations, and the Congressional …
Southern Governors Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day Read More »
Why It Matters: This announcement prohibits any U.S. hunter from bringing wild game bird into the United States that was harvested in Canada. While the announcement appears to allow the importation of processed (cooked) game bird meat, this importation of cooked meat could potentially violate other federal regulations. For example, to legally transport waterfowl, the …
USDA APHIS Announcement Effectively Prohibits Importation of Game Bird Meat from Canada Read More »
CSF, Hunting and Fishing Partners Urge Senate Committee to Hear Important Bill to Restore Mine Lands
Why It Matters: There is estimated to be approximately 500,000 abandoned mines across the United States that contribute to water quality impairments in over 100,000 miles of streams. Estimates also indicate that cleaning up these abandoned mines would cost approximately $54 billion. Unfortunately, under current federal law an individual or group cannot touch or attempt …
Contact: Robert Matthews, Senior Coordinator, Upper Midwestern States & Kent Keene, Assistant Manager, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why It Matters: With a relatively laid-back nature compared to other hunting opportunities, dove hunting is an enjoyable way to introduce a beginner to the world of wing shooting. After honing skills at the sporting clays …
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States, Assistant Manager Why It Matters: Formalizing official Advisory Councils to state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses provides Caucus members with a direct line to their outdoor sporting constituency that can deliver invaluable insight to policy as it relates to conservation and our shared outdoor sporting heritage. As Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Members rotate …
Idaho Sportsmen Named Advisory Council to the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Read More »
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Why It Matters: In 2016, it was reported that more than 20 million Americans spent an estimated $16.9 billion on equipment and travel to participate in target shooting. The purchase of firearms and ammunition is critical to the “user pays – public benefit” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). …
Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Supports Youth Shooting Sports Team Read More »
Why It Matters: The recreational boating and fishing community understands the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales and fully supports efforts to do so. However, a new rule regarding vessel speed reductions along much of the Atlantic seaboard will have significant implications for offshore anglers and boaters at certain times of the year, some …
Proposed Right Whale Conservation Measures Need Further Refining Read More »
Contact: Joe Mullin, Manager, Northeastern States Why It Matters: CSF has a tenured history of opposing efforts to curb the import of certain African species, commonly referred to as the “Big Five.” Discouraging hunting in Africa encourages poaching and cripples the anti-poaching programs that legally regulated hunting supports. Revenue generated by licensed, regulated safari hunting …
This Year’s Efforts in Fighting Restrictive Trophy Import Bans Read More »
