Why It Matters: With marine fisheries management highly variable by state along the Atlantic Coast, it is imperative that any harvest reporting requirements be carefully developed to provide credible data. If a mandatory reporting program is developed correctly, reliable catch information could enhance the sustainability of North Carolina’s marine resources and provide additional access for …
CSF Weighs in on Mandatory Fish Harvest Reporting Requirements in North Carolina Read More »
Why It Matters: On Thursday, May 23, the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) held their final meeting of the 2024 Legislative Session. During this meeting, many topics were discussed, such as a proposed constitutional amendment for the right to hunt, fish, and trap, and the signing of the Sunday gamebird hunting legislation. It is important …
Why it Matters: On May 16, 2024, the 33rd Alaska State Legislature adjourned Sine Die, with several sportsmen’s bills passing through the House and Senate. Those bills now await transmittal to Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Mike Dunleavy for signature or veto. Throughout the session, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) worked alongside the Alaska Legislative …
Alaska Session Recap: Pro-Sportsmen’s Bills Headed to Governor’s Desk Read More »
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a slow and progressive neurological disease occurring in free ranging and farmed cervid species (deer, elk, moose, etc.) that is always fatal, and is spreading across North America. This disease is a massive threat to cervid populations which threatens quality hunting experiences as well as opportunities to …
Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in California Deer Read More »
Why It Matters: For over 80 years, sportsmen and women have played an integral role in providing the vast majority of conservation funding in the United States through the incredibly unique and successful American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). Since 1952, America’s anglers and boaters have contributed over $11 billion in funding to state fish …
Why It Matters: Introduced on January 3, 2024, New Hampshire House Bill 1186 (HB 1186) – An Act Relative to Firearm Purchaser’s Privacy, seeks to protect Granite Staters from being tracked or halted by financial institutions when purchasing firearms and ammunition. HB 1186 was referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on …
Granite Stater’s Privacy Protected; Governor’s Signature Awaits Read More »
Why It Matters: With North Carolina being one of the most rapidly growing states in the country, it is increasingly important to support landowners interested in conserving their property. North Carolina’s private lands provide important access for hunting and fishing, but as properties are developed, wildlife habitat and hunting and fishing access is often lost. …
CSF Supports Land Conservation Legislation in North Carolina Read More »
Why It Matters: Following relentless efforts from anti-hunting organizations, a bill that sought to prohibit hunters from participating in contests or tournaments was revived after it missed a key legislative deadline. The bill threatens traditions that sportsmen and women have long enjoyed while simultaneously seeking to manage wildlife issues legislatively rather than vesting the appropriate …
The Fight Continues: Bill to Ban Hunting Contests Revived After Missing Deadline Read More »
Why It Matters: Introduced on January 12, 2024, Vermont Senate Bill 258 (S. 258) – An act relating to the management of Fish and Wildlife – proposed to transfer the authority to adopt rules for the taking of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals from the Fish and Wildlife Board to the Department of Fish and …
Science-Based Fish and Wildlife Management Protected in Vermont, For Now Read More »
Why It Matters: When game populations are at a point where limited, regulated hunting opportunities are necessary for their management, state fish and wildlife agencies often develop a lottery system in which sportsmen and women apply for a limited number of tags or permits. In utilizing a lottery, states are able to manage the demand …
Why It Matters: College can be an incredibly challenging time financially for many students, which presents a real barrier for them purchasing a hunting, trapping, or fishing license while in school. If young adults cease their participation in hunting and angling for 4 years while other interests are blossoming, there is real potential for them …
Why It Matters: After serving as Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) for ten years, Curt Melcher retired from his role with the department. The search for the next Director started in January 2024 immediately following Director Melcher’s announcement. The ODFW Commission announced finalists on May 3, 2024. Both candidates were …
New Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Announced Read More »
Why It Matters: Legislation to protect conservation funding for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) by requiring that the agency be reimbursed for revenue lost due to the creation of free and discounted hunting and fishing licenses is a forward-leaning mechanism to safeguard the ability of the state fish and wildlife agency to …
Legislation to Protect Conservation Funding in Louisiana Clears Senate Committee Read More »
Why It Matters: Throughout Kansas’ legislative session, several attempts were made to alter the current Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, including efforts to alter how commissioners are appointed as well as proposals to completely abolish the current Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. While these early attempts failed due to legislative deadlines, a final attempt was …
Commission Restructuring Bill Gains Momentum During Kansas’ Veto Session Read More »
Why It Matters: Our four-legged canine companions can play a crucial role in many aspects of our sporting traditions, including in the tracking and recovery of wounded game. Exhausting all available resources when tracking and recovering game is one of the cornerstones of hunting that ethical sportsmen and women share, so the use of tracking …
Pro-Sportsmen Legislation on the Move in Louisiana Read More »
Why It Matters: The passage of these bills marks the first time that either bill has passed its respective chamber. The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act will help maintain access for sportsmen and women by ensuring that federal agencies do not arbitrarily or haphazardly ban traditional ammunition and fishing tackle. The Trust the …
CSF Access and State Management Authority Priorities Pass U.S. House Read More »
Why It Matters: Last week, Chairman G.T. Thompson of the House Agriculture Committee released his framework for the next iteration of the Farm Bill while Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released her version of the bill. Representing some of the most critical investments in conservation, particularly on private …
House and Senate Ag Committee Chairs Release Initial Farm Bill Plans Read More »
Why It Matters: The 2024 Regular Session of the New Mexico Legislature closed with a whimper as the large anti-gun and anti-sportsmen agenda mostly failed. Of the dozen or so anti bills that were proposed, only two made it through to the Governor, who has repeatedly made it clear that anti-gun policies are among her …
New Mexico Governor Calls for Special Session of the Legislature in July Read More »
Why It Matters: Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of the puritanical and antiquated laws that were initially designed to encourage church attendance. At the time when blue law restrictions were first put in place, other activities that were illegal on a Sunday included opening a store for business, drinking alcoholic …
Pennsylvania Seeks to Remove Longstanding Sunday Hunting Restrictions Read More »
Why It Matters: As population studies wrap-up, commissions convene, and court decisions are announced, management and regulatory conversations begin anew. While wolves are only one species among thousands, the decisions being made with wolf management have ripple effects throughout wildlife conservation as well as hunting and trapping opportunities. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is working …
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