Why It Matters: Hunters are the backbone of conservation and to continue carrying that banner, new sportsmen and women must be exposed to the woods and fields. However, as fewer folks dress themselves in camouflage and orange, there are fewer to pass on our time-honored outdoor traditions to new generations. Allowing schools to instruct safe …
Why It Matters: Although victories may be secured during regular sessions, Governors in some states may call veto sessions, in which the legislature has the opportunity to pass additional priorities. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) successfully advocated against the passage of a bill in Illinois that would have prohibited hunters from organizing contests to take …
Hunting Tournaments Survive Illinois Veto Session Read More »
Why It Matters: Each year, state legislatures around the country introduce and consider bills that would hinder sportsmen and women from partaking in our time-honored outdoor traditions. Oftentimes, those bills would also interfere with state fish and wildlife agencies’ authority to follow science-based management principles. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) works to thwart the passage …
Bill to Ban Hunting Contests Fails to Pass as Illinois Legislature Adjourns Read More »
Why It Matters: Following relentless efforts from anti-hunting organizations, a bill that sought to prohibit hunters from participating in contests or tournaments was revived after it missed a key legislative deadline. The bill threatens traditions that sportsmen and women have long enjoyed while simultaneously seeking to manage wildlife issues legislatively rather than vesting the appropriate …
The Fight Continues: Bill to Ban Hunting Contests Revived After Missing Deadline Read More »
Why It Matters: Bills that seek to prohibit hunters from participating in contests or tournaments threaten traditions that sportsmen and women have long enjoyed, as well as legitimate conservation methods of controlling predator and invasive species – namely coyotes. Most importantly, these bills attempt to legislatively manage wildlife issues rather than vesting the appropriate decision-making …
Fur the Win: Illinois Hunting Tournament Ban Misses Deadline Read More »
Why It Matters: Allowing the use of small-bore shotguns such as the .410-bore and 28 gauge to take turkeys expands the hunting opportunities available to youth, smaller-framed, or otherwise recoil-sensitive hunters. As these smaller shotguns are entirely effective at ethically harvesting turkeys, allowing their use may very well create new lifelong turkey-chasers, which is critical …
Liberty and Turkeys for All: Illinois Bills Would Expand Opportunities for Youth Hunters Read More »
Why it Matters: The 2023 legislative sessions have brought several key changes to deer seasons in the Great Lakes region this year. Knowing the changes that have taken place to your state’s hunting laws and regulations is imperative to a successful season. Highlights: Although deer season is only a brief time of the year, legislation …
Does and Don’ts: Deer Season Updates in the Great Lakes States Read More »
Why It Matters: Throughout any given legislative session, bill proposals run the gamut of issues relevant to hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers. The prevailing impacts of such legislation often relate to conservation funding. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is committed to identifying legislation that either advances or detracts from conservation funding and advocating accordingly. …
CSF Weighs in on Multiple Bills that Would Impact Conservation Funding in Illinois Read More »
Why It Matters: Legislation that restricts sportsmen and women from sharing in the enjoyment of our outdoor pastimes are a threat to the longevity of hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping. The basic ability to exchange ammunition between fellow hunters and recreational shooters must be protected, and CSF will continue to oppose this bill. Highlights: …
CSF Opposes Illinois Bill That Would Prohibit the Transfer of Ammunition Read More »
Highlights: Following a dead-of-night House vote and a Sunday evening Senate session, the lame-duck Illinois legislature passed a bill banning Modern Sporting Rifles and imposed restrictions on Standard Capacity Magazines. Illinois becomes the ninth state to restrict the sale and manufacture of modern sporting rifles in some capacity (the others being CA, CT, DE, HI, MA, MD, NJ, …
Illinois Bans Semi-Automatic Firearms and Standard Capacity Magazines Read More »