Why it Matters: The use of ballot initiatives like Proposition 127 to ban hunting circumvents the legislative and regulatory process that provides the opportunity for input by professionals, for revisions, and considerations of broader impacts within Colorado’s overall science-based management plan. These initiatives can allow wildlife management decisions to be made based on emotion rather …
A Dogfight for the Future of Cat Hunting is Now Underway in Colorado Read More »
Why It Matters – As the 118th Congress enters the middle of the fourth quarter, there are still several bills in play that are important to sportsmen and women and natural resource conservation. The House Natural Resources Committee recently advanced two Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) priority bills, one that reauthorizes vital fish and wildlife conservation …
House Natural Resources Committee Scores on CSF Priority Bills Read More »
Why It Matters: Recreational anglers gather in marinas and public boat launches along the Atlantic Coast year-round to explore the open seas in pursuit of their preferred saltwater game species. In doing so, these recreational anglers generate hundreds of millions of dollars through the American System of Conservation Funding each year that is utilized to …
Why It Matters: With the arrival of fall, hunters across the Natural State are excited about the official arrival of deer hunting seasons. This year, Arkansans have new opportunities to pursue white-tailed deer, including a recent early, buck-only archery season for the first time. With fall officially here, there is much to be excited about! …
Expanded Deer Hunting Opportunities Have Arkansans Naturally Excited Read More »
Why It Matters: In July of 2024, Massachusetts passed a new omnibus gun law which would require a live fire component to obtain a mandatory Firearm Identification Card. Without specific legislative protections, long-standing and storied shooting ranges are in jeopardy of being closed due to newly enacted local regulations including noise ordinances, lead abatements, and …
Public Firearm Ranges Stressed and Under Fire in the Northeast Read More »
Why It Matters: When the heat of the summer starts to dwindle and leaves start to fall, the sounds of migratory waterfowl begin to ring through the air. Here in the Mid-Atlantic States, many states are wrapping up their resident goose seasons and are ramping up for teal/early duck season. For many wing shooters, this …
Duck, Duck, Goose! Waterfowl Seasons are Opening in the Mid-Atlantic Region Read More »
Why It Matters: Once on the brink of extinction, the Louisiana black bear’s population has rebounded to the point where it must be managed. Beginning in December of 2024, the story of the Louisiana black bear is among the greatest conservation success stories in the southern United States and is a testament to the North …
Louisiana Black Bear – a Conservation Success Story Read More »
Why It Matters: Black bear management in Oregon is a current success story with the population showing steady growth and variety in age classes represented. In spite of the demonstrated success, groups who oppose the hunting of charismatic megafauna and predators made an effort to end spring black bear seasons at a recent ODFW Commission …
Why It Matters: A critical challenge that sportsmen and women face today is passing on the outdoor traditions that we cherish to new generations. Broadening the base of conservationists in our fields and on our waters is paramount to securing the legacy of the American outdoors, and free fishing days aim to do just that. …
Why It Matters: In September of 2023, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) took to the “on-demand” airwaves with the launch of, The Sportsmen’s Voice podcast, the audio companion of the weekly newsletter, The Sportsmen’s Voice (TSV). Recognizing CSF and its caucuses have a giant story to tell, the TSV podcast was green lit to tell …
The Sportsmen’s Voice Podcast Celebrates 1 year on the Airwaves! Read More »
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 …
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