State: IA

Why It Matters: Drone technologies present an opportunity for lawful hunters to minimize harvest loss and increase recovery rates. Recognizing this, states like Iowa and South Dakota have introduced legislation to allow the use of drones to recover mortally wounded game, which the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been active in supporting. Highlights: The Congressional…

Why It Matters: The Great Plains region saw two Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) legislative priorities introduced last week in Kansas and Iowa, respectively. The Kansas bill would ensure that the state’s fish and wildlife agency is reimbursed for revenue that is lost from free and discounted licenses, while the Iowa bill would encourage political participation by hunters and anglers through voter registration. …

Why It Matters: The 2026 legislative session is off to a hot start in the Great Plains, with legislation impacting sportsmen and women already on the move. Some states have CSF priority legislation that is carried over from the 2025 legislative session in addition to new legislation that was introduced in 2026.   Highlights:  Iowa Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJR 7) is a proposed constitutional amendment for…

Why it Matters: While many, including many of us at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, are spending their fall chasing pheasants, sitting in deer stands, or calling ducks in, there is still plenty of time to hit the open waters for fishing. With lakes in the upper part of the Great Plains region likely freezing soon,…

Why it Matters: With the deer hunting season in full swing across the country, state fish and wildlife agencies recommend hunters get their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease. Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, is a fatal, degenerative disease occurring in both farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, caribou, and moose. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation encourages…

Why it Matters: Across the Great Plains region, one of the most anticipated fall hunting seasons is opening soon. Pheasants stand as one of the most popular birds hunted in the Great Plains and offer opportunities for groups to get out and hunt together. However, the pheasant hunting season could have looked substantially different in…

Why it Matters: Passing on our time-honored hunting traditions is crucial for the future of conservation. Mentored hunts and youth hunting seasons provide safe, structured opportunities for young hunters to learn hunting skills, ethical shot placement, and develop confidence. These programs provide the first steps for youth and other first-time hunters to become engaged in…

Why It Matters: The Iowa legislative session saw its fair share of sportsmen and women-related bills introduced this year. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active in engaging on legislation that had negative impacts on  conservation funding, enshrining the right to hunt, fish, and trap in the state constitution, and establishing a curriculum for firearms,…

Why It Matters: Iowa legislators have been busy introducing legislation that is both positive and negative for sportsmen and women. Two new pieces of legislation have been introduced and are making their way through the legislative process before the March 7 “funnel” date. One bill aims to repeal the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust…

Why It Matters: As efforts to undermine the ability of sportsmen and women continue across the country, Iowa is working to constitutionally enshrine the rights of Iowans to hunt, fish, and trap. Constitutional amendments to protect the right to hunt, fish, and trap represent one of the strongest safeguards for our time-honored outdoor traditions. Highlights:…