On April 4, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council officially approved Amendment 50 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources, which will give the states the authority to manage the private recreational red snapper fishery in both state and federal waters beginning with the 2020 fishing season. The ability for the states…
By Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager Illinois HB 3623, sponsored by Illinois Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-chair Representative Jerry Costello, looks to expand current apprentice licensing. This legislation amends the current law and would allow individuals to apply for an apprentice hunting license more than once. If passed, the bill would remove the “one-time” stipulation, allowing…
On April 4, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced two important nominations to the Department of the Interior (DOI), which comes exactly one week after the Committee held a confirmation hearing to consider Acting Secretary Bernhardt’s nomination to serve as Secretary of the Interior. The first nomination to be reported favorably by the…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that $1 billion will be apportioned across all 50 states and U.S. territories on April 1. These funds are generated through excise taxes on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting equipment, and motorboat fuel – a pillar of the American System of Conservation Funding. “For many decades, funds…
By Brent Miller, Senior Director of Northeastern States On April 4, the bipartisan and bicameral Vermont Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its Annual Mixer in Montpelier. The Co-Chairs of the Caucus, Representatives Patrick Brennan and Cynthia Browning, and Senators John Rodgers and Alice Nitka, were joined by nearly 30 other legislators, leadership of the Vermont Fish and…
By John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager West Virginia’s 2018 regular session concluded with many pro-sportsmen’s bills signed into law. On March 22, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Jim Justice signed HB 2715 into law expanding the conditions that qualify for a special hunting permit for disabled persons. West Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Delegate…