Why It Matters: One of the most difficult challenges with estimating recreational harvest is obtaining a reliable estimate of how many people are fishing for a given species over time. This difficulty was recently highlighted again when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced last summer that the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Fishing …
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – How Many People Caught the Fish? Read More »
In the hidden depths of California’s coastal waters, an overlooked world of marine life thrives beneath the shadow of towering oil rigs.
Why It Matters: Viewed as the deadliest stretch of Highway 26, the area from Stoney Point to the Wind River Reservation is currently a high priority for both the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). During their May 21, 2024, retreat, the WGFD Commission approved an additional $500,000 in …
Wildlife Crossings Find Support With The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Read More »
Why It Matters: Preventing sedimentation in streams is critical to protecting habitat for trout and other aquatic organisms. Streams with less sedimentation have better water quality, and vegetated buffers provide shade that helps regulate water temperatures for trout and other cold-water species that require cool, well-oxygenated waters to survive. Better fish habitat supports healthier fisheries …
Trout Stream Buffer Legislation Pending Before the North Carolina Legislature Read More »
Why It Matters: Throughout many Midwestern states, much of the low-hanging fruit has already been enacted for the benefit of sportsmen and women. However, these successes do not mean that the sporting-conservation community should rest on our laurels, and we must remain vigilant to emergent threats to our time-honored outdoor traditions. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation …
Incredibly Quiet Legislative Session Adjourns in the Show-Me State Read More »
Why It Matters: At a time when technology continues to rapidly change the way in which Americans live, it is important that our outdoor traditions keep up with the times. Allowing hunters to have an electronic copy of their federal duck stamp on their smartphone for the entirety of the hunting season will bring the …
FWS Moves Quickly to Implement CSF Priority, Duck Stamp Modernization Act Read More »
Why It Matters: State legislative sportsmen’s caucus leaders along the Atlantic Coast understand the importance of protecting North Atlantic right whales (NARW) and fully support efforts to recover the species. However, a proposed rule regarding vessel speed reductions along much of the Atlantic seaboard will create significant access barriers for offshore anglers and boaters for …
Atlantic States Sportsmen’s Caucuses Offer Another Round of Thoughts on Whale Rule Read More »
Why It Matters: The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will soon be experiencing changes following the Governor’s signature on House Bill 2530, which impacts the appointment process for Commissioners. These changes come after the original language of HB 2530 was overhauled during Kansas’ veto session and replaced with the commission appointment language that was discussed …
Kansas Commission Restructuring Bill Signed by Governor Read More »
Why It Matters: After expiring last year, leaders in the House and Senate are making progress toward the next iteration of the legislation. Last week, the House Agriculture Committee held a markup for a Farm Bill led by Committee Chairman Congressman G.T. Thompson. This hearing marks an important step toward the development and passage of …
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 …
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