Why it matters: Despite their legal classification as “wild” on federal land, unbranded and unclaimed free-roaming horses and burros are non-native, feral livestock that lack natural predators. Wild horse and burros can, and often do, have a significant negative impact on native ecosystems and habitat. There are an estimated 86,000 wild horses and burros on…
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager Why it Matters: Several large banks currently institute restrictions on the firearm and ammunition industry. Examples of such restrictions include prohibiting retailers who are customers of the banks from selling long guns to anyone under 21 years of age (despite the federal age of legal ownership being 18), ceasing…
Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States Why it Matters: Without question, fish and wildlife management authority should and must remain within the respective state agency’s purview. They are unequivocally the best entities equipped to address fish and wildlife management issues within their respective borders. Recent efforts in the northeast region, such as S. 281,…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator Why it Matters: According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 report titled “Species Status Assessment for the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the Lower-48 States” the grizzly bear population in the NCDE has made significant strides towards recovery. The proposed amendments to the NCDE Grizzly…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator Why it Matters: One needs to look no further than the current COVID-19 pandemic to understand the benefits of getting outside for peoples mental and physical health. While there are many outdoor activities that provide mental and physical benefits, there are few that also directly benefit conservation…
Contact: Kent Keene, Senior Coordinator, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why it Matters: As legislation continues to move rapidly across the Lower Midwest and around the nation, two bills in Iowa have risen to the surface are receiving a lot of attention. Working with mission partners and members of the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus,…