Why It Matters: Though license fees are often among the more affordable items needed to participate in many of our time-honored outdoor traditions, they are at times considered to be a barrier to participation. To alleviate some of these perceived hurdles, free fishing weekends are just one of the many opportunities afforded to those interested…
Why It Matters: The conclusion of legislative sessions across the Lower Midwest provides an opportunity to reflect on the victories for sportsmen and women secured this year while taking inventory of the remaining challenges and opportunities that await us in the future. While the region did witness significant wins, thanks to the work of like-minded…
Why It Matters: During the final week of the 2023 Legislative Session in Arkansas, Caucus members continued to advance legislation designed to promote wildlife habitat conservation, recruit the next generation of sportsmen and sportswomen, and generally support our nation’s time-honored outdoor traditions. As the end of other state legislative sessions continue to draw near across…
Why It Matters: Wild horses (i.e., feral horses, unauthorized livestock etc.) and burros have long been a symbol of the American West, receiving protection from Congress in 1971 under the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act. Under this Act, wild horses and burros were to be maintained in a manner that produces a “thriving ecological…
Why It Matters: Any time a new opportunity for hunters to spend time afield is announced, there is unquestionably a conservation success story that can be shared. For black bear hunters in the Lower Midwest, this is particularly true. Thanks to the great work of state fish and wildlife agencies, many of which are primarily…
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States / Fisheries Policy Highlights Why it Matters: As hunting season in Arkansas gets going in full swing, waterfowlers on some of the state’s most popular flooded-timber wildlife management areas will see lower water levels as the AGFC tries to reverse significant habitat loss important to ducks. Meanwhile, deer hunters…
May 3, 2021 (LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS) – On April 29, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Asa Hutchinson signed into law House Bill 1957 (HB 1957), the Arkansas Sovereignty Act of 2021, which seeks to reaffirm second amendment protections within the state. Shortly before the enactment of HB 1957, Governor Hutchinson vetoed a bill with the same title. While both bills were…
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Policy Highlights Why It Matters: Hunter education courses are an excellent opportunity to introduce middle and high school students to a variety of topics related to conservation and our outdoor heritage. Further, these opportunities provide educators with an opportunity to introduce students to important concepts like…
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Policy On November 12, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) announced the state’s first opportunity for waterfowl hunters to enter a drawing for a permit to hunt on 40 private rice fields scattered throughout the state. Eastern Arkansas is widely known for being the number…
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Federal Fisheries Policy and Midwestern States The first day of dove season is often a much-anticipated tradition in the South. While the early September opener (first Saturday of the month for Arkansas) is usually met with lingering summer heat and humidity, it’s the first opportunity for hunters to take to…
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States & Fisheries Policy On May 15, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a letter to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opposing a proposed change to waterfowl regulations on two of the state’s most popular wildlife management areas (WMAs). The proposed change would require hunters to be off…
Contact: Chris Horton, Senior Director, Midwestern States and Fisheries Policy On April 23, in a virtual meeting with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and senior AGFC staff that was streamed live on the agency’s YouTube channel, the Commission completed the first of two meetings to review a long list of regulatory changes to…