By Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator Recently, HB 28, An Act to Allow the Use of Crossbows During the Archery Season on Deer, was reconsidered by Maine’s Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Although the bill had previously received an unfavorable report, upon receiving additional information, several Committee members altered their position and …
By Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator On February 27, the Joint Committee of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife voted to postpone taking any legislative action regarding SB 208, An Act to Require Biodegradable Hooks and Lures for Freshwater Fishing. Any decision will be postponed until the 2020 legislative session. During the public hearing Fisheries Division …
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On February 28, the Oregon Senate Committee on Judiciary held a hearing on a bill that, as amended, would ban individuals from participating in, hosting, or sponsoring coyote hunting contests in the state. The bill, Senate Bill 723, if passed with the proposed amendments, would prohibit any person, …
Oregon: Bill to Ban Coyote Contests Receives Hearing Read More »
By Chris Horton, Midwestern States Senior Director and Fisheries Earlier this month, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) released a series of proposed regulatory changes for freshwater fisheries in the state. The proposed changes include modifications to the length limits and harvest regulations for largemouth bass, Alabama bass and alligator gar in certain areas. …
By Jeff Crane, President This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will take up both the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 1112). Both bills would have impacts on sportsmen and women and will likely result in firearms sales being curtailed among this responsible, …
A long awaited package of provisions for sportsmen’s access and habitat conservation, the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) was advanced by the House of Representatives, and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. A number of the provisions within S. 47 are access-oriented priorities of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Introduced …
Congress Approves Public Lands Package, Sends to President’s Desk Read More »
On Tuesday, February 26 at 12:00 pm, it is anticipated the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) to advance this important conservation legislation to the President’s desk. S. 47 was recently passed out of the U.S. Senate with a bipartisan vote of 92 – 8. This bill …
ACTION ALERT: Urge the House to Advance S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act Read More »
On Saturday, members of the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) recognized the GSC’s 10th Anniversary, and reflected on sportsmen’s conservation victories as a result of efforts by pro-sportsmen governors across the country. Hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), this reception gathered governors with representatives from the sportsmen’s community and allied industry partners. CSF President …
Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Celebrates 10 Years of Advancing Conservation Read More »
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On February 19, the Maryland Senate Committee on Health, Education, and the Environment held a hearing on several bills, including SB 390, which would authorize the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow deer hunting on Sundays throughout the appropriate season. This would apply to private land and …
Maryland: Statewide Sunday Deer Hunting Bill Heard in Committee Read More »
By Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager On February 14, the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its first breakfast event of the year. These breakfasts bring together legislators, conservation organizations, and staff from the Department of Natural Recourses (DNR) and Natural Resource Commission to discuss conservation issues in the state. Returning Michigan Caucus Co-Chair Representative …
Michigan: Caucus Hosts First Breakfast of the Year with Conservation Groups Read More »
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director On February 20, the Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their 11th Annual Sportsmen’s Caucus Fish Fry in Jackson. The annual event, hosted in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), brings together sportsman-legislators, state agency staff, and conservation leaders to celebrate Mississippi’s sportsmen’s heritage and …
By Brent Miller, Senior Director of Northeastern States On February 14, the bipartisan and bicameral New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held its Annual Caucus Luncheon in Concord, New Hampshire. The event brought together more than 40 New Hampshire Sportsmen’s Caucus members, staff from the office of Governor Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Chris Sununu, officials from …
New Hampshire: Annual Luncheon Draws New Members Read More »
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On February 21, the Oregon House Natural Resources Committee held two hearings on a bill that would expand opportunities for hunters to pursue mountain lions with the use of dogs. House Bill 2795, sponsored by Representatives Brian Clem and Bill Post, “Directs the Oregon Department of Fish and …
Oregon: Hearings Held on Bill to Expand Mountain Lion Hunting Opportunities Read More »
By John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On February 21, the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus partnered with the Virginia Sportsmen’s Foundation to host the 28th Annual Wild Game Chili Cook-Off in Richmond. Approximately 150 people, including more than 30 legislators, attended the non-partisan event held in the Old City Hall where attendees sampled a variety …
Virginia: Caucus Partners Host Wild Game Chili Cook-Off Read More »
By Chris Horton, Midwestern States Senior Director On February 12, the Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), hosted their annual Sportsmen’s Caucus Lunch at the Red and Blue Room Event Venue near the capitol. The lunch began with National Assembly …
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Congressmen Ron Kind (WI) and Rob Bishop (UT) introduced the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act of 2019 (H.R. 1222), which would amend the Pittman-Robertson Act to provide more flexibility to state agencies to construct, expand, and maintain public target shooting ranges. Hunters and target shooters are the drivers …
On February 12, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane was recognized by Canada’s Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus Co-Chair Bob Zimmer as an Honorary Member of the Canadian Caucus. Modeled after the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) – the largest caucus in the U.S. Congress – the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus shares the CSC’s mission of protecting and …
Last week, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) staff joined conservation leaders and industry representatives for the 43rd Annual National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Convention Sport Show and Conservation Conference. Representing CSF were President Jeff Crane, Southeastern States Director Bee Frederick, Central Appalachian States Manager John Culclasure, and Upper Midwestern States Manager Nick Buggia. Prior to the …
By Brett Stayton, Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator On February 12, the Maryland Senate Committee on Health, Education, and Environmental Affairs convened to hear testimony on several pieces of legislation, including a bill that would authorize the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow for migratory game bird hunting on Sundays during the open season on …
Maryland: CSF Testifies in Support of Sunday Hunting Legislation Read More »
By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager On February 12, the Montana Senate Fish and Game Committee held a hearing on HB 94, a bill that would provide additional incentives to encourage landowners to allow public access for hunting on their lands. This bill, sponsored by Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Representative Zach Brown, would …
Montana: Hearing Held on Bill to Incentivize Hunting Access Read More »
