Why it Matters: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides important hunting and fishing opportunities across the country. Despite the importance that FWS lands, particularly through the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and the National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS), play for sportsmen and women, there are often inconsistencies between state and federal regulations, as…
Why It Matters: The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) Commission’s August 21, 2025 meeting finalized regulations for the for the 2025-2026 hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons, along with considerations of several land and water projects shaping both management and public access plans for the coming year. Highlights: The Commission took the Future Fisheries Improvement…
Why It Matters: Wolf management remains a contentious issue, balancing ecological health, livestock protection, and cultural values. Science-based decisions must be made by state commissions, utilizing data and recommendations from the agency biologists to ensure sustainable wolf populations while addressing conflicts with prey species and human interests. Highlights: Idaho’s Department of Fish and Game’s (IDFG)…
Why It Matters: Montana’s 2025 legislative session delivered key victories for hunters, anglers, and trappers by enhancing the state’s Block Management Program, bolstering public access to private lands. Three bills, all sponsored by Montana Legislative Sportsmen Caucus Co-chairs, worked to address the critical issue of land access and sportsmen/landowner relations. Highlights: Caucus Co-Chair Representative Joshua…
Why It Matters: Without active management, forest health and wildlife habitat will decline as insects, drought, and other stressors reduce stand vigor while the risk for severe wildfire will increase, threatening nearby private lands as well as the winter range habitat that the wildlife management area provides for big game species important to Montana’s hunters…
Why It Matters: Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools used for forest and wildlife habitat managers across the United States. However, the dangers associated with the use of fire, along with the public’s conflation between prescribed burning and devastating wildfires, can make its use intimidating to those who lack professional…
Why It Matters: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission was directed by a recent decision out of the ninth circuit court of appeals to adjust wolf trapping seasons within the court-established geographic area. These changes are a result of the court finding that wolf trapping and snaring could pose a “reasonable risk” to ESA listed…
Why It Matters: As the hot, dry summer months drag on, many western states are being impacted by drought and fire conditions. Heat, fire, and reduced water flows are having an impact on fish and wildlife, leading to access restrictions as state fish and wildlife agencies scramble to balance wildlife health, public safety, sporting access,…
Why It Matters: This past week, the fish and game Commissions for both Montana and Washington State reviewed their mountain lion quotas and hunting seasons. Montana took an ecosystem approach and aimed for harvests that were sustainable for both mountain lions and ungulates while maintaining hunting opportunities. Washington focused solely on mountain lion populations with…
Why It Matters: As population studies wrap-up, commissions convene, and court decisions are announced, management and regulatory conversations begin anew. While wolves are only one species among thousands, the decisions being made with wolf management have ripple effects throughout wildlife conservation as well as hunting and trapping opportunities. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is working…
Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for access to activities like hunting, fishing and recreational shooting. As these agencies develop strategies to manage federal lands, it is critical for those who support these activities…