Why It Matters: Year after year, many states are seeing large influxes of new residents, and with that, the need for more housing and expanded services continues. Expanded urbanization and development require land, and sometimes that comes at the expense of state lands that were once utilized by not only hunters, anglers, and trappers, but…
Why It Matters: The American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) is the nation’s leading consortium of hunting, wildlife professional, outdoor recreationists, and other conservation organizations that work under the same umbrella to build unity and develop consensus around the most pressing issues facing wildlife and sportsmen and women. While the 52 partner organizations of AWCP may…
Why It Matters: With rising black bear populations, bear sightings and conflicts are becoming more common place, beginning in 2024, New Hampshire bear hunters will now be allowed to take a second bear in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) C1, D2, E, or F, White Mountains Region. Historically, hunting has been the most efficient, cost-effective, and…
Why It Matters: Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” for good reason. Abundant hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping opportunities can be found throughout the state, and these traditions continue to be protected in large part by the Louisiana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. However, having a pro-sportsmen governor as a member of the Governors Sportsmen’s…
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that impacts members of the cervid family including deer, elk, caribou, and moose. This highly transmissible neurological disease is always fatal to infected animals, complicating wildlife management. While there is currently no evidence of CWD passing from deer to humans the CDC does…
Why it Matters: During recent legislative sessions, several states have proposed bills that would offer certain demographics free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses. While these bills are largely well intended, they carry often overlooked consequences that negatively impact the funding for the state fish and wildlife agencies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active…