Why it matters: A recent discovery by the National Marine Fisheries Service that the current Marine Recreational Information Program is overestimating angler harvest, one of the key components needed for stock assessments and setting annual harvest quotas, creates significant challenges for fisheries managers and could hamper recreational angler access in the years ahead. While it …
CSF Seizes Opportunity for State Forward Fisheries Management at Gulf Council Meeting Read More »
Why It Matters: New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (NJDFW) is requesting the public’s help reporting potentially diseased deer within the Garden State. Wildlife managers ask that if you suspect a deer is diseased to report via the new Deer Disease Sighting Form (arcgis.com). This input is extremely valuable to the New Jersey Department …
New Jersey Rolls Out New Deer Disease Sighting Form Read More »
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an always fatal neurologic disease caused by an environmentally resilient, infectious protein called a prion that infects both farmed and free ranging cervids. CWD was first discovered in Colorado during the late 1960s and was subsequently detected in wild deer in 1981. Although CWD was first detected …
Rules Proposed in North Carolina to Strengthen Protections Against CWD Read More »
Why it Matters: While the dog days of summer may not seem like the ideal time to be thinking about prescribed burning, actions taken now can set the stage for the use of prescribed fire later in the year. For land managers interested in improving wildlife habitat in many parts of the Lower Midwest, this …
Burning for You: The Role of Prescribed Fire Across the Lower Midwest Read More »
Why it Matters: Arguably the most important access program in the Farm Bill for sportsmen and women, the Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) has expanded public access to roughly a million acres of private lands across the nation. As one of the few Conservation Title programs that does not receive baseline funding, …
CSC Members Dingell and Johnson introduce VPA Improvement Act in the House Read More »
Why it matters: Federal fisheries management relies heavily on information about what was caught yesterday to predict how many fish can be caught tomorrow. The number of fish landed by the relatively few commercial fishermen can be counted dockside when they land and sell their fish. However, for millions of recreational anglers, the only way …
New Glitch with Federal Recreational Catch Data – Problematic or Promising? 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 …
Coyote Calling Contests Are Back in the Crosshairs in Oregon Read More »
Why It Matters: Sunday hunting restrictions are Blue Laws with no basis in wildlife management that restrict only one user-group, hunters, from accessing public lands on Sundays. Removing Sunday hunting restrictions in the Palmetto State is a priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the Sunday Hunting Coalition, the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and …
Sunday Hunting – Finally Open on Public Lands in South Carolina Read More »
Why it Matters: Victories not only come in the form of passing legislation that supports our time-honored traditions, but also through the defeat of legislation that aims to negatively impact the activities that we all hold dear. Since the legislative sessions in the Great Plains have been adjourned, now is a great time to look …
Victories Secured Across the Great Plains Region Read More »
Why it Matters: After a record setting spring turkey harvest of 5,725 birds in 2022, New Hampshire’s spring turkey hunters took 5,580 birds in spring 2023. According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s turkey biologist, Allison Keating, this past spring marks the fifth consecutive year that the spring turkey harvest exceeded 5,000 birds. …
New Hampshire Spring Turkey Harvest Indicates Healthy Populations Heading into Fall Read More »
Last Friday, August 4th over 150 individuals (including 30 beginners), gathered just outside of Washington, D.C. to participate in the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) August Recess Clays Competition. This event brings together staff from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, sporting-conservation leaders, and industry partners for a day at the range filled with bipartisan competition, outdoor education …
CSF’s Annual August Recess Clays Competition Takes Aim for Camaraderie and Education Read More »
Why it matters: Hunter education, archery in schools, wilderness courses, and other outdoor focused school activities provide unmatched enrichment opportunities for students from all walks of life. These programs provide critical life skills for students and, according to teachers engaged with these programs, student participation has been correlated with improvements in academic performance, behavior, and school …
Why it Matters: Providing wildlife safe passage over or under highways is of mutual benefit to public safety and wildlife populations. Highways often prevent wildlife from safely moving between important habitats. As a result, thousands of animals, including many sensitive species, are killed each year in wildlife-vehicle collisions. Wildlife crossings are especially critical for migrating …
CSF Supports Vital Wildlife Crossing Project in Colorado Read More »
Why It Matters: From inland lakes and rivers to offshore destinations, the Palmetto State offers boaters, anglers, and hunters a wide variety of opportunities on the water. To ensure a successful experience, boater safety is paramount. During the first half of 2023, there were 74 boating accidents and 7 boating related deaths in South Carolina. …
CSF-Backed Boater Safety Bill in South Carolina Takes Effect This Month Read More »
Why it Matters: A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 1 p.m. on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 3.02 Hunting of Particular Game in Massachusetts. The proposed regulations would extend the dates of the deer archery hunting season in Wildlife Management Zones 1–9 by two weeks. For those unfamiliar …
Potential Archery Season Expansion to be Heard in Massachusetts Read More »
Why It Matters: As most state legislatures across the country have adjourned, the tail-end of summer offers a chance to reflect on policy victories in the conservation sphere while looking forward to securing more victories in remaining states that meet year-round. In the Great Lakes region, state legislatures in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota have adjourned …
Five Key Legislative Victories from the Great Lakes Region Read More »
Why It Matters: Restoring and improving fisheries habitat, science-based fisheries management, and access to our fisheries have always been at the center of CSF’s mission. Last week, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries hosted a hearing on three CSF-supported bills that seek to fund coastal conservation, develop a task force to …
CSF Lends Strong Support for Three Bills Before House Subcommittee Read More »
Why It Matters: Oregon’s law-abiding hunters and recreational 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 …
Notice of Intent to Appeal Filed in Legal Battle Over Oregon’s Measure 114 Read More »
Why it Matters: On June 26, 2023, members of the Massachusetts House introduced MA House Docket (HD) 4420 An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws, an aggressive gun control package that takes aim at a wide swath of firearm ownership and use. After its introduction, HD 4420 quickly made its way to the Joint Committee on Public …
Massachusetts Brings Sweeping Gun Control Package to Beacon Hill Read More »
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies stand at the forefront, not only in terms of the management of our nation’s public trust fish and wildlife resources, but as it relates to our ability to pursue them. With that in mind, it is important that we, as sportsmen and women, understand the importance of …
Who’s the Boss?: A Deeper Dive into the State Wildlife Management Authority Conversation Read More »
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