State: MA

Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies are instrumental in setting the frameworks that result in the successful conservation and management of a state’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Sportsmen and women (including hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers) have played a crucial role in funding conservation efforts in the United States for over…

Contact: Joe Bachar, New England States Coordinator Why It Matters: Since its founding, CSF has continuously fought to protect and advance outdoor sporting heritages across the country. This year in Massachusetts, CSF worked in conjunction with the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus towards the protection and advancement of pro-sportsmen’s heritages in the state. Engaging in over…

Contact: Joe Bachar, New England States Coordinator Why it Matters: Dogs play an integral role in many of our nation’s sporting pursuits. From hunting-related traditions, such as tracking big game, pointing, flushing, and retrieving downed fowl, to competing in a variety of field trials across the country, our four-legged friends play an irreplaceable part in…

Contact: Joe Bachar, New England States Coordinator Why it Matters: Dogs play an integral role in many of our nation’s sporting pursuits. From hunting-related traditions, such as tracking big game, pointing, flushing, and retrieving downed fowl, to competing in a variety of field trials across the country, our four-legged friends play an irreplaceable part in…

Contact: Joe Mullin, Manager, Northeastern States Why it Matters: Legislative and administrative efforts that encourage and expand the abilities of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers by increasing access and opportunities have the potential to immediately bolster financial support for state fish and wildlife agencies, thus supporting their mission-driven conservation projects. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation…

Contact: Joseph Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeast States Highlights Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women have played a crucial role in funding conservation efforts in the United States for over 80 years. The American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a “user pays – public benefits” structure in which those who consumptively use public resources pay for…

Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States On February 17, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) Director Mark Tisa came before the Fisheries and Wildlife Board to review a proposed increase in license fees. For the past 25 years, Massachusetts has not had an increase in its license fees, and it’s taking a significant…

Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States On February 9, the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a virtual working meeting to welcome new and returning members, discuss plans for the year ahead, and raise current and future policy priorities. The gathering began with an introduction by Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Anne Gobi and Representative David Vieira,…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator On November 16, one of Massachusetts’ numerous restrictive kennel bills was sent to accompany a study order, easing some of the concerns that dog owners have had over the past two years. For clarification, when a bill is “sent to study,” it is commonly the end of…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator Beginning on May 18, Massachusetts implemented the first phase of the State’s reopening plan, which brought exciting news for sportsmen and women. The first phase of the reopening plan, COVID-19 Order No. 33, saw the reopening of “Firearms retailers and shooting ranges,” the former having been opened…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator The issue of fighting excessively restrictive kennel legislation in Massachusetts has been an ongoing theme for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), as well as for other like-minded in-state and national organizations. On May 8, news broke out of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government that…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator On May 7, a Judge for the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts brought some exciting, long-overdue news to Massachusetts’ sporting community, ordering a preliminary injunction to authorize firearms retailers to reopen their businesses on Saturday, May 9. During the earlier stages of the Commonwealth’s response to…