Prescribed fire, also known as a controlled burn, is a planned, intentional fire in a specific geographic area used to meet land management goals.[1] Prescribed fire reduces hazardous fuels which decreases severe wildfire risk, minimizes the spread of insects and disease, controls invasive species, and promotes the regeneration and recruitment of desired species by controlling […]
Why It Matters: Meat processors play a critical role in the field-to-table journey for many successful hunters across the nation. Further, they represent a critical link in the success of game meat donation programs. Missouri’s existing tax credit program serves as a great incentive designed to increase the availability and capacity of meat processors in the Show-Me State, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is proud…
Why It Matters: Last week, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced the Missouri Conservation Commission’s initial approval of proposed hunting season dates for the 2026-27 season. This announcement included several major changes to Missouri’s deer season framework compared to recent years. A few days later, MDC Director Jason Sumners issued an open letter announcing…
Why It Matters: Opportunities for public engagement with state fish and wildlife agencies and commissions is an often-underappreciated part of wildlife management. During public comment periods, professionally trained biologists balance on-the-ground information on wildlife habitat and populations with the desires of the public that such agencies serve. Together, this system allows state agencies to communicate…
Why It Matters: After opening opportunities for nighttime hunting for coyotes in 2020, the Missouri Conservation Commission and Missouri Department of Conservation are weighing an expanded season to take advantage of the predator population control benefits associated with hunting, while also providing increased opportunities for coyote hunters. These opportunities highlight the mutual benefits that state…
Why It Matters: Given the composition of Missouri’s Constitution, opportunities for legislator involvement in hunting and fishing policy are few and far between. However, this has not prevented the Missouri Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus from being an active member of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), working closely with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and partners…
Why It Matters: Established in 2009, the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) is designed to improve communication between participating governors in an effort to support and enhance policies and regulations related to our time-honored outdoor traditions. Joining the GSC last week, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe brings a strong background as an outdoorsman and continues the…
Why It Matters: State firearm preemption legislation ensures continuity in gun laws across a state and protect law-abiding gun owners from unreasonable restrictions adopted by local governments. These protections played an oversized role in keeping many firearm retailers open during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and, once again, are being cited in an…
Why It Matters: Throughout much of the modern history of white-tailed deer hunting, deer harvest has been a primary driver in the size, growth, and health of deer populations. From the buck-only days during mid-20th century through today’s emphasis on doe harvest through most quality deer management plans, it is clear that the females of…
Why It Matters: Throughout many Midwestern states, much of the low-hanging fruit has already been enacted for the benefit of sportsmen and women. However, these successes do not mean that the sporting-conservation community should rest on our laurels, and we must remain vigilant to emergent threats to our time-honored outdoor traditions. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation…
Why It Matters: When game populations are at a point where limited, regulated hunting opportunities are necessary for their management, state fish and wildlife agencies often develop a lottery system in which sportsmen and women apply for a limited number of tags or permits. In utilizing a lottery, states are able to manage the demand…