Why It Matters: Legislators, particularly those with a passion for our shared outdoor pursuits, are typically flooded each day with opposition to and attacks against the things they do. Events that bring sportsmen and women together with legislators to celebrate our hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting traditions in a positive environment are an effective way …
Why It Matters: The irony that one of the most difficult birds to harvest is the first to open for hunting each year does not stop the dedicated sportsmen and women from being excited about their state’s upcoming dove opener. As the first fall hunting opportunity for many, dove seasons represent a great opportunity to …
On a Wing and a Prayer: Dove Seasons Draw Near Across the Country Read More »
Why It Matters: Year after year, many states are seeing large influxes of new residents, and with that, the need for more housing and expanded services continues. Expanded urbanization and development require land, and sometimes that comes at the expense of state lands that were once utilized by not only hunters, anglers, and trappers, but …
Why It Matters: The American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) is the nation’s leading consortium of hunting, wildlife professional, outdoor recreationists, and other conservation organizations that work under the same umbrella to build unity and develop consensus around the most pressing issues facing wildlife and sportsmen and women. While the 52 partner organizations of AWCP may …
CSF Chairs and Leads AWCP Summer Meeting, Hosted by Key Partners RMEF and B&C Read More »
Why It Matters: With rising black bear populations, bear sightings and conflicts are becoming more common place, beginning in 2024, New Hampshire bear hunters will now be allowed to take a second bear in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) C1, D2, E, or F, White Mountains Region. Historically, hunting has been the most efficient, cost-effective, and …
New Hampshire Hunters Called on to Manage Over-Target Bear Populations Read More »
Why It Matters: Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” for good reason. Abundant hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping opportunities can be found throughout the state, and these traditions continue to be protected in large part by the Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. However, having a pro-sportsmen governor as a member of the Governors Sportsmen’s …
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Joins the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Read More »
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that impacts members of the cervid family including deer, elk, caribou, and moose. This highly transmissible neurological disease is always fatal to infected animals, complicating wildlife management. While there is currently no evidence of CWD passing from deer to humans the CDC does …
Why it Matters: During recent legislative sessions, several states have proposed bills that would offer certain demographics free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses. While these bills are largely well intended, they carry often overlooked consequences that negatively impact the funding for the state fish and wildlife agencies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active …
Discounted and No-Cost Licenses in the Great Plains Read More »
Why It Matters: At the end of 2023, S. 788 – Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 was signed into law by President Biden. Since that signing, as of May 28, 2024 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that waterfowl hunters will be able to fully take advantage of the Duck Stamp Modernization Act for …
New Hampshire Governor Brings State in-line with Federal Electronic Duck Stamp Act Read More »
Why It Matters: The recreational boating and fishing community understands the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales (NARW) and fully supports efforts to do so. However, a new rule under final consideration by the White House Office of Management and Budget implementing a 10-knot speed limit for all vessels 35 feet and longer will …
Why It Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has long attended the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) where we connect with state legislators who take interest in natural resource management issues. Providing opportunities for the sportsmen’s community and members of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) to come together and discuss current issues …
CSF Hosts Successful Policy Forum and Reception at NCSL Read More »
Why it Matters: Excise taxes imposed on firearms and ammunition at the state level place an overly burdensome expenditure on the backs of sportsmen and women. Firearms and ammunition are already subject to federal excise taxes at the manufacturer-level through the widely celebrated Pittman-Robertson Act which funds a variety of hunting, shooting, and wildlife conservation-related …
Excise Tax on Ammunition Introduced During Special Session in the Cornhusker State Read More »
Why it Matters: The use of ballot initiatives to ban hunting circumvents the legislative and regulatory process, preventing the opportunity for input by professionals, future revisions, and considerations of broader impacts within the Colorado’s overall science-based management plan. These initiatives can allow wildlife management decisions to be made based on emotion rather than scientific principles, …
Why it matters: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides significant access opportunities for sportsmen and women, primarily through the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), which supports more than 2.4 million hunting related visits and 7.3 million fishing visits annually. Access to NWRS managed lands and waters for hunting and fishing is critical for …
FWS Releases 2024 – 2025 Hunt Fish Rule – Another Mixed Bag for Sportsmen and Women Read More »
Why It Matters: Each year, legislators look at ways to recognize and thank certain qualified individuals/groups by providing free and/or discounted licenses for hunting, fishing, and trapping. While this is well-intended, such legislation has the potential to reap deteriorative effects on the fish and wildlife agencies’ budgets. To prevent the loss of sportsmen-generate dollars for …
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife management agencies are the best-equipped authority to make critical decisions surrounding fish and wildlife resources. However, when data changes, or there is a lack of observable data to justify prior decisions, they must be updated to reflect what is best for both the resource and the primary stakeholders …
Walleye Win: Harvest Increased on Minnesota’s Storied Mille Lacs Lake Read More »
Why It Matters: The resounding success experienced by the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus since its inception into the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses in 2004 is largely due to a history of strong leadership coupled with steadfast support from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Georgia offers a wide variety of hunting and angling opportunities for …
Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Adds New Leaders Read More »
Why It Matters: As the hot, dry summer months drag on, many western states are being impacted by drought and fire conditions. Heat, fire, and reduced water flows are having an impact on fish and wildlife, leading to access restrictions as state fish and wildlife agencies scramble to balance wildlife health, public safety, sporting access, …
Outdoor Activities Heating Up in the West, but Not in a Good Way Read More »
Why It Matters: On July 25, 2024, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed into law an omnibus firearms package. This bill was ultimately passed by the House and Senate as House Bill (HB 4885) – An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws. Behind closed doors, HB 4885 was whittled down to 116 pages which significantly impact Massachusetts firearm …
UPDATE: Massachusetts Governor Signs Omnibus Anti-Gun Package into Law Read More »
Why It Matters: The “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” is the name given to Earth’s largest ocean plastic accumulation zone, the eastern half of which swirls around off the coast of California, held permanently in place by the Pacific Ocean currents known as the North Pacific Tropical Gyre. This Eastern Garbage Patch covers an area twice …
Fisheries Conservation Legislation Expected to Advance in California Read More »
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