Summary Anti dog-hunting groups oppose hunters’ use of dogs to both hunt and aid in the tracking and recovery of game. Without dogs, sportsmen and women’s success afield, along with their ability to recover game, would be severely limited. Additionally, by hunting with dogs, sportsmen and women are able to fulfill their ethical obligations as …
Summary Knife industry and advocacy groups have successfully worked with the U.S. Congress to amend the Federal Switchblade Act so that one-hand opening and assisted-opening knives with a “bias toward closure,” like those used for hunting, are not classified as switchblades. Passing laws at the state level that are similar to the federal exemption to …
Summary The use of lead ammunition and lead tackle in hunting and angling is a contentious issue, with the primary concern being the potential effects on wildlife. However, to this date, there has been no documented evidence that sportsmen’s use of lead has had significant deleterious impacts on wildlife at the population level in the …
Summary During atypical social and economic times that devastate communities and states, some governors, through emergency powers granted to them by state constitutions and statutes, have far-reaching authority that can negatively impact our time-honored traditions of hunting and fishing. The COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021 saw the instatement of unnecessary and overreaching restrictions on …
Protecting Our Outdoor Sporting Heritage During Times of Emergency Read More »
Summary During unprecedented and devastating crises, some governors, through emergency powers granted to them constitutionally and/or by statutes, assume far-reaching powers that can negatively impact our nation’s Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021, some governors enacted executive orders that created unnecessary and autocratic restrictions on …
Protecting Our Second Amendment Rights During Times of Emergency Read More »
Summary In some states, through the collection of signatures, a question may be placed on a ballot to create, amend, or repeal a statutory or constitutional provision. Through these ballot initiatives, laws or constitutional requirements may be created or repealed through popular vote, rather than by the state legislature. Without proper safeguards in place, ballot …
Protecting Sportsmen’s Interests in Ballot Initiatives and Referenda Read More »
Summary Recently, efforts were made in Maine to ban the use of soft baits when fishing. Arguments in favor of the ban centered on aesthetic issues related to lost/discarded lures in their state’s waters, and concerns over the health of individual fish that were found to have ingested soft baits. To date, no studies have …
Summary Several states have passed legislation that allows non-resident, full-time college students to obtain hunting and/or angling licenses at the same price as state residents. The intent of these bills are to increase hunter and angler recruitment and retention within a subset of sportsmen and women which are especially prone to being restricted from hunting …
Summary The vast majority of states throughout the nation offer an online component of the hunter’s safety course, which provides potential hunters a way to receive their hunter safety certification at their own pace. By offering new hunters an easy and efficient way to gain hunter safety certification, more people will have the opportunity to …
Summary Many state legislatures have enacted legislation to afford senior citizens, veterans, and active duty military members special hunting and fishing opportunities and discounted fees as a means of maintaining hunter numbers, as well as to reward them for their service to the country and commitment to conservation. However, states should be cautioned to work …
Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges Read More »
Stay current with the latest news, policy activity and how to get involved.
Sign up for Newsletters
Receive latest legislation and regulation changes.
Sign up for Legislative Alerts
