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Why it matters: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is one of the most challenging issues facing wildlife managers today. CWD is a progressive, always fatal, degenerative, neurological disease occurring in both farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, and moose (cervids) populations. Furthermore, given the lack of information surrounding CWD, preventing the spread of CWD is a difficult…

Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States   Why it Matters: Sportsmen and women have played a crucial role in funding conservation efforts in the United States for over 80 years. The American System of Conservation Funding, a “user pays – public benefits” structure in which those who consumptively use public resources pay for the…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Why it Matters: After public lands Sunday hunting legislation died in committee the last two years, Senate passage of SB 8 signals the winds of change may be coming for sportsmen and women wishing to hunt public lands on Sundays. SB 8, patroned by Senator Chap Petersen, would…

Contact: Kent Keene, Senior Coordinator, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why it matters: The Midwest has seen several attempts to overhaul the structure of state fish and wildlife commissions in recent years. In Missouri, one such proposal seeks to change the way that members of such commissions are selected, often attempting to make the…

Contact: Keely Hopkins, Pacific States Assistant Manager  Why it matters: California’s law-abiding hunters and shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays-public benefits” structure, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars…

Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Why It Matters: States without a dedicated conservation funding mechanism leave millions of dollars on the table every year because they cannot provide the funding to qualify for federal conservation programs. For example, funding is available through Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Acts that match state dollars at a 3:1…