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…
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….
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: …
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,…
Why It Matters: When regulations are updated by a state’s fish and wildlife management agency, there may be changes that go unnoticed by hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters. As the original conservationists, sportsmen and women must be up-to-date on their state’s regulations so they may responsibly pursue their favorite outdoor pastime. Highlights: Earlier this…
Why It Matters: When regulations are updated by a state’s fish and wildlife management agency, there may be changes that go unnoticed by hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters. As the original conservationists, sportsmen and women must be up-to-date on their state’s regulations so they may responsibly pursue their favorite outdoor pastime. Highlights: Earlier this…
Recent advances in technology, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), which can assist in the tracking and taking of game, have posed an ethical debate within the hunting community. Legislators and sportsmen should be mindful of Fair Chase issues and, on a state-by-state basis, determine if legislation is warranted to ensure hunting is practiced ethically…
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager Highlights Why it matters: While CSF maintains that state fish and wildlife agencies are the entities best equipped to make decisions regarding the management of our public trust fish and wildlife resources, these agencies typically host public comment periods to solicit input on proposed regulatory changes. These comment periods…
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager Earlier this month, Illinois HB 3623, which proposes expanding apprentice hunting opportunities in the state, passed both Houses. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation strongly supports this important bill. HB 3623 amends the current law allowing individuals to apply for an apprentice hunting license more than once. If signed into…
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager On May 8, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to host the annual Illinois Caucus Reception and Fundraiser. This event brought together state legislators and members of the Illinois hunting and angling community to discuss policy priorities in the state and across the Midwestern region….
By Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager Illinois HB 3623, sponsored by Illinois Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-chair Representative Jerry Costello, looks to expand current apprentice licensing. This legislation amends the current law and would allow individuals to apply for an apprentice hunting license more than once. If passed, the bill would remove the “one-time” stipulation, allowing…
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator On August 18, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Bruce Rauner signed two bills important to Illinois’ sportsmen and women into law. Taking effect January 1, 2019, IL H 4231 amends the Wildlife Code to allow hunters to wear blaze pink as an alternative to blaze orange when afield….