Highlights Why it matters: As the original conservationists, sportsmen and women have a long history of supporting the science-based management of our nation’s fish and wildlife resources. Unfortunately, the best available science continues to suggest that the effects of a changing climate are impacting the resources that we care so passionately about. While climate change …
The Outdoorsmen’s Guide to Climate Change Now Available Online Read More »
By: Madeline Damon During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to be a youth delegate with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and travel to different events with my mentor. This was my first introduction to natural resources policy, and the experience deepened my passion for the outdoor community even more and solidified …
By: Jens Ames During a previous internship, I was asked to watch a Zoom webinar on a recently signed executive order, committing the U.S. to protecting 30% of U.S. land and water by 2030 (30 by 30). As I logged on, I did not recognize the organization hosting the webinar, but I was struck by …
Highlights Why it matters: Efforts to undermine legal, science-based, and sustainable hunting programs are on the rise across the country. These efforts fail to recognize the significant economic and conservation value of hunting both domestically in the U.S. and internationally. Any effort to undermine these hunting programs is an effort to undermine some of the …
CSF Leads Effort to Combat Anti-Hunting Petition Read More »
Highlights Why it matters: Access is often cited as the number one reason that sportsmen and women no longer participate in hunting and fishing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which houses national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries, annually supports more than 2.5 million hunting days and almost 8 million fishing days, making …
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Highlights Why it Matters: With family and friends gathering together to enjoy the comradery that dove hunting provides, it supports recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts and provides a positive impact on conservation programs through the American System of Conservation Funding. In the South, dove hunting traditionally takes place on …
Dove Hunting: An Annual Southern Tradition with Increasing Public Access Opportunities Read More »
Contact: Nick Lewis, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator Highlights Why it Matters: Throughout the year, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) works hand-in-hand with the New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus), members of the New York Sportsmen’s Advisory Council, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and in-state and national partner organizations to promote and advance policies that celebrate the Empire …
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager; Kent Keene, Senior Coordinator, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Highlights Why it Matters: Sportsmen and women have a strong history of leading efforts to address our nation’s conservation challenges. From the development of laws guiding the harvest of fish and wildlife and the development of state fish …
Highlights Why it Matters: Red snapper are one of the most important recreational species in the Gulf of Mexico, and particularly in the states of Mississippi and Alabama. Prior to the April 2021 meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, these two states were facing potential drastic cuts in their private recreational red …
Gulf Council Hands Red Snapper Debacle Back to NOAA Fisheries Read More »
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator Highlights: Why it Matters: Despite their popularity and charismatic nature, gray wolves are just like every other species of wildlife in that they need to be properly managed in order to mitigate conflict. Unfortunately, gray wolf management is not that straight forward and fraught with controversy over …
Montana Wildlife Commission Tackles Controversial Wolf Management Directive Read More »
Highlights Why It Matters: The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has historically been one of the most successful voluntary private lands conservation programs in our nation’s history. Down from a high enrollment of 36.7 million acres in 2007, CRP has seen recent changes made by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack that are designed to increase interest …
Contact: Joseph Mullin, Southeastern States Coordinator Highlights Why it Matters: The approval of phased-in license fee increases breaks a 26-year streak in Massachusetts of not having any raises in license fee prices. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) relies on these funds to continue offering the multitude of opportunities for the Bay State’s sportsmen and …
A Crucial Win for Conservation Efforts in Massachusetts Read More »
Highlights Why It Matters: Often mistakenly and trivially referred to as a land retirement program, CRP can be a beneficial part of a working agricultural system. Perhaps no situation highlights this better than the program’s emergency haying and grazing provisions. During times of severe drought or after other natural disasters, enrolled landowners may be permitted …
Contact: Nick Lewis, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator Highlights Why it Matters: The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) serves as the lead regulatory agency for wildlife in the Empire State, working in conjunction with the sportsmen’s community to conserve wildlife species. The recent actions by the DEC reaffirm the longstanding principle that hunters are the original …
CSF Throws Support Behind New York Regulation Changes for Deer, Bear, Fisher and Marten Read More »
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator Highlights: Why it Matters: Sportsmen and women are conservationists, period. Not only do hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters pay for the vast majority of state-based conservation efforts through the American System of Conservation Funding, they more often than not also volunteer their time, resources, and money …
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Highlights Why it Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies in the Southeast are in a difficult position of trying to balance the increased pressure of turkey hunters and declining turkey populations. While increased hunter participation provides for greater funding for the agency through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), …
Southeast Turkey Hunting Regulations Changing in Response to Declining Populations Read More »
By: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States/Fisheries Policy August can be a bit brutal here in the South. With daily high temps hovering near the century mark and relative humidity in the 90’s, it’s sometimes hard to get motivated to spend too much time outdoors. You start to sweat just thinking about it. However, before …
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Highlights Why it Matters: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has constitutional authority to manage Florida’s fish and wildlife. Two of the proposed constitutional amendments would supersede the FWC’s authority, undermine the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and threaten conservation funding for the FWC and its fish …
Ballot Initiatives Pose Threat to Wildlife Conservation in Florida Read More »
Last week, staff of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) and sporting-conservation industry leaders joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) for the annual August Recess Clays Competition. Hosted by CSF just outside of Washington, DC, this trap and sporting clays competition brings together CSC staff from both sides of the aisle to enjoy a shared American …
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager Highlights Why it matters: Bear hunting in the north woods is a time-honored tradition and important management method for state fish and wildlife agencies. As sportsmen and women head afield, it is of the utmost importance that they remain up-to-date on new and revised regulations. To comply with all …
Black Bear Season is Approaching in the Great Lakes Region: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More »
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