Home to the Everglades, the Florida Keys, and borders to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Sunshine State offers a unique experience for hunters and anglers. Entering statehood in 1845, Florida is world renowned for its sportfishing opportunities. For anglers, the quarry is almost too bountiful to list. Common pursuits include everything from largemouth bass in Lake Okeechobee, to snook, tarpon, redfish, and speckled trout inshore, to red snapper, sailfish, wahoo, and mahi-mahi offshore. Hunters also have an abundance of opportunities to pursue including white-tailed deer, waterfowl, alligator, and the Osceola turkey (which are only native to the Sunshine State).
For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in Florida, please contact:
Florida State Caucus Fact Sheet
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus
Representative
Gus Bilirakis
Representative
Vern Buchanan
Representative
Kat Cammack
Representative
Neal Dunn
Representative
Scott Franklin
Representative
Brian Mast
Representative
Bill Posey
Representative
John Rutherford
Representative
Greg Steube
Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leadership
News Alerts
Dec 03 2024
Win for FL Sportsmen Included in Final Backcountry Access Plan for Big Cypress
Why It Matters: Encompassing roughly 179,000 acres, the Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) is...
Nov 12 2024
Florida Becomes the 24th State to Adopt a Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment
Why It Matters: Voters in Florida spoke loud and clear – hunting, fishing, and...
Nov 04 2024
Election Day is Here – Vote Yes on Amendment 2 in Florida
Why It Matters: Tomorrow, November 5, those who haven’t voted early or by mail...
Oct 15 2024
Why are Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendments Important?
Why It Matters: With election day right around the corner (November 5), anticipation is...
Oct 07 2024
Protecting Hunting and Fishing at the Ballot Box in Florida
Why It Matters: Passage of Amendment 2, the proposed right to hunt, fish, and...
Jul 22 2024
FL Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leadership Opposes Wilderness Designations Within Big Cypress
Why It Matters: Congressionally designated Wilderness oftentimes reduces access for sportsmen and women and...
Oct 10 2023
Governors Across the Southeast Recognize the Contributions of Sportsmen and Women to Conservation
Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, sportsmen and women across the nation celebrated...
Jul 24 2023
Battling Pelican Entanglements in Florida – Angling Regulations Adjusted at Skyway Pier in Fair Compromise
Why It Matters: Skyway Fishing Pier State Park (Skyway Pier) is a popular angling destination...
Jul 10 2023
Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Florida – Continuing its Spread Across the Southeast
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a slow and progressive neurological disease occurring...
May 22 2023
In Big Win for Recreational Anglers, FWC Tables Goliath Grouper Closures
Why It Matters: Last year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved...
May 01 2023
Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment Headed to the Ballot in FL in 2024
Why It Matters: Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife constitutional amendments protect the outdoor...
Apr 10 2023
Right to Hunt and Fish Gains Positive Momentum in Florida
Why It Matters: An effort to make hunting and fishing, including the use of traditional...
Mar 20 2023
Troublesome Bills Could Impact Sporting Dog Owners in Florida
Why It Matters: Do you have a canine sidekick that accompanies you during your outdoor...
Jan 09 2023
CSF’s Chris Horton Encourages NPAA Members to Include Advocacy in Their Careers
Highlights: The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) is a non-profit, member-based association of professional...
Dec 19 2022
FWC Punts on Proposed Goliath Grouper Spawning Aggregation Closures
Why It Matters: Earlier this year, the FWC approved a limited, highly regulated season...
Nov 29 2022
CSF Opposes Goliath Grouper Aggregation Closures to Fishing in Florida
Why It Matters: The proposed rule change to close these goliath grouper spawning aggregation...
Nov 07 2022
What Mississippi’s Youth Deer Season Means to Me
Why It Matters: States have recognized the importance of providing positive outdoor recreation experiences...
Oct 31 2022
CSF Acknowledges Improvements, Supports Further Tweaks to Florida Keys Management Plan
Why It Matters: The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a top angling destination...
Sep 26 2022
CSF Supports Access Expansion in Big Cypress
Why It Matters: An increase in access would not only benefit Florida’s sportsmen and women, but it...
Feb 22 2021
Florida Commission Considers Important Hunting Regulations
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States CoordinatorOn February 22, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted...
Jan 25 2021
Florida Keys: CSF, Anglers Support Seasonal Closure for Long-Term Health of Fishery
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States CoordinatorOn January 21, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted...
Dec 21 2020
CSF Supports Increased Access for Sportsmen and Women on Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States CoordinatorOn December 15, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted...
Nov 23 2020
CSF Staff Participate in College Panel Discussion about Conservation
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant DirectorOn November 17, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Senior...
Nov 09 2020
FWC Commission Developing Rules for Establishing Restricted Hunting Areas
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Commission (Commission)...
Aug 10 2020
Airgun Sunset Legislation Signed into Law in Georgia
Contact: Clay Chester, Southeastern States CoordinatorOn August 5, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Brian...
Jul 27 2020
Florida FWC Commission Approves Draft Changes to Flounder Regulations to Rebuild Fishery
Contact: Clay Chester, Southeastern States CoordinatorOn July 22, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation...
Jul 06 2020
Florida: Hunter Harassment Legislation Signed Into Law
Contact: Clay Chester, Southeastern States CoordinatorOn June 29, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill...
Jun 15 2020
Florida: CSF Supports Proposed Flounder Regulations
Contact: Clay Chester, Southeastern States CoordinatorOn June 15, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted...
May 26 2020
Southeast: State and Federal COVID Restrictions Begin to Ease
Contact: Clay Chester, Southeastern States CoordinatorSportsmen and women throughout the South are regaining access...
Apr 06 2020
Florida: 2020 Legislative Updates
Contact: Clay Chester, Southeastern States CoordinatorDue to COVID-19, the Governor’s signing deadline has been extended...
Mar 09 2020
Florida: Hunter Harassment Legislation Advances
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant DirectorOn March 5, legislation that would increase harassment...
Feb 24 2020
Florida: Caucus Holds Annual Dinner with Commission
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant DirectorOn February 18, the Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus...
Dec 09 2019
Florida: Hunter Harassment and Hunting and Fishing Supplies Sales Tax Holiday Legislation Pre-filed
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant DirectorOn November 25, Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member...
Mar 04 2019
Florida: Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Host Education Event for Legislators and Staff
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States DirectorOn February 19, the Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted...
Feb 04 2019
Florida: Sportsmen’s Caucus Announces 2019 Leadership
By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States DirectorThe Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus recently announced new leadership...
Feb 16 2018
Florida: Sportsmen’s Caucus Holds Annual Dinner
The Florida Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus met for its annual Legislative Session Dinner on February...
Jun 29 2017
Florida: Recreational Fishing and Boating Groups Urge Support of Federal Funding for Everglades
In a recent letter to Congressional leaders, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined 18...
Apr 20 2017
Florida: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Hosts Caucus Dinner
On April 18, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida...
Feb 25 2016
Florida Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Event in Tallahassee
On February 10, the Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Florida Fish and Wildlife...
Jan 19 2016
Gulf Anglers Meet to Set Future Course on Red Snapper Management
Broad representation of recreational fishing community interests strategize on key management issuesRepresentatives of the...
Aug 06 2015
Florida Congressman Introduces Legislation to Combat Invasive Lionfish
On July 23, Congressman Curt Clawson (FL) introduced the LEAP Act of 2015, (H.R....
Jul 31 2015
Legislation Introduced to Preserve Fishing Access in Biscayne National Park
Recreational fishing and boating community praises Congressional leaders for addressing flawed marine reserve decision On...
Apr 16 2015
Florida Sportsmen’s Caucus Reflects on Legislative Session
On April 14, the Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, in conjunction with Ducks Unlimited and...
Mar 19 2014
Florida: Sportsmen’s Caucus Dinner a Great Success
The Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their annual dinner this past Monday, March 17,...
Feb 20 2014
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Partners with Central Florida Shootout
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is pleased to partner with the Central Florida Shootout,...
Dec 11 2013
National Park Service Offers Plan to Keep Biscayne National Park Open to Boating and Fishing
The November 15 release of the supplemental General Management Plan for Biscayne Bay National...
Jul 11 2013
Recreational Fishing and Boating Community Sends Letter on Biscayne National Park
On July 1, 2013, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, along with the American Sportfishing Association,...
Apr 24 2013
Florida:Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Holds Caucus Dinner
The Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held a caucus dinner on Thursday, April 11 at...
Apr 11 2013
CSF Partners with Central Florida Shootout
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is pleased to partner with the Central Florida Shootout,...
Latest policy updates
Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such...
“No-Net-Loss” of public lands has become increasingly important to ensure access to...
Concerned about the uncertainty that 30x30 policies may pose for hunting and...
One important tool for protecting fish and wildlife habitat is a state-level...
Properly managed wildlife habitat is essential for supporting sustainable and healthy wildlife...
Exotic invasive species are plants, animals, or pathogens that are non-native to...
Preemption is the process where a higher level of government revokes the...
As with many Constitutional protections, the court system has created carve-outs and...
During atypical social and economic times that devastate communities and states, some...
During unprecedented and devastating crises, some governors, through emergency powers granted to...
Encouraging sportsmen’s involvement in the political process is an important method for...
The vast majority of states throughout the nation offer an online component...
Many state legislatures have enacted legislation to afford senior citizens, veterans, and...
Reports and Data
Mar 11 2024
Florida: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet
Florida: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet
Jan 01 2013
2013 Sportsmen's Economic Impact Report - Florida
2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report - Florida
Jan 01 2007
2006 Economic Impact Report — Florida
Florida squeezes more than three times the revenue from angling than from oranges ($4.4...
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