Why It Matters: State-based fish and wildlife management authority should be left in the jurisdiction of the respective state fish and wildlife agency. In Maine, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) is the best equipped to address fish and wildlife management issues within the Pine Tree State. It is staffed by trained professionals…
Why It Matters: Prohibitions and restrictions on Sunday hunting serve to the detriment of our nation’s sporting communities and state and local economies. An additional day to hunt would mean more dollars spent by hunters in restaurants, hotels, gas stations and stores throughout the state, boosting local economies. Relatedly, allowing farmers and other landowners to…
Why It Matters: As it currently stands, having no closed season on hunting coyotes in Maine during the daylight allows sportsmen and women the opportunity to spend more days afield, teaching others about our nation’s hunting heritage, and further contributing to the American System of Conservation Funding. Should there be a need for an established…
Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women (comprising hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers) have played a historic role in funding conservation efforts in the United States for over 85 years. The funds collected through license sales and excise taxes on sporting goods in the unique “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System…
Why It Matters: In the Pine Tree State, priorities relative to sportsmen’s issues are brought before the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. On the Committee are several members and Co-Chairs of the Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – a bipartisan and bicameral collective comprised of and representing sportsmen and women across the state….
Why It Matters: Trapping is unique in that it is used in many facets of wildlife management, from population control to human-wildlife conflict resolution, to data collection. Modern restraining traps have been particularly critical in conservation efforts by allowing state agencies to capture and relocate endangered species. The regulations developed by state agencies for trapping…
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, Coordinator, Northeastern States Why it Matters: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has fought for years to protect and advance sporting heritages across the country. In the past year, Maine saw a variety of different sporting-related bills that were engaged on by members of the Maine Legislative and Gubernatorial Sportsmen’s Caucuses. With issue…
Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States and States Program Assistant Highlights Why it Matters: Firearm suppressors are often referred to as the hearing protection of the 21st Century – but don’t just take our word for it. According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, suppressor ownership and use has…
Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States On February 17, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) provided an update for the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regarding the report on Legislative Document (LD) 695, “An Act to Require Biodegradable Hooks and Lures for Freshwater Fishing.” As previously reported, LD 695 was…
Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States In the world of firearm suppressors, Maine is in a unique situation. For hunters to use suppressors in the pursuit of game, they must first obtain a permit from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) – something that is provided by the MDIFW Commissioner on…
Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States On February 8, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Assistant Manager, Northeastern States, Joseph Mullin, testified during a Maine Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife hearing in support of Legislative Document 142 (LD 142). This legislation would provide the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) Commissioner the…