State: NC

Why It Matters: Marine fisheries management varies widely among Atlantic Coast states. Any opportunity to develop and implement harvest reporting requirements should be approached carefully with the goal of providing credible data that can, in turn, be used to manage a resource enjoyed by millions of anglers. Reliable catch information, if properly developed, could advance…

Why It Matters: Black bears present hunters with the opportunity to get afield in pursuit of one of the most storied big game animals in the country, both past and present. Simultaneously, black bear hunters generate valuable conservation funding dollars through the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding…

Why It Matters: Access to America’s public lands and waters are key to passing along our time-honored traditions to the next generation. After all, it is the hunters and anglers of tomorrow that will shoulder the responsibility of funding conservation through the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding…

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: Being a large coastal state, North Carolina offers a broad sampling of hunting, angling, trapping, and shooting sports activities. However, with broad opportunities comes broad responsibilities. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been hard at work in North Carolina this year engaging on a wide variety of sporting conservation issues sure to…

Why It Matters: After a decade of public input and planning to revise the land management plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, as well as years of planning for these individual habitat improvement projects, CSF is encouraged to see the National Forests in North Carolina lean into agency-wide goals to significantly increase timber…

Why It Matters: The sounds and estuaries along the coast of North Carolina are among some of the most diverse and productive marine environments in North America. They provide valuable nursery habitat for many species commonly pursued by both recreational anglers and commercial fishermen. Aligning North Carolina with other Southeastern states in conserving these valuable…

Why It Matters: Southern flounder are among the most popular targeted species of saltwater fish in North Carolina and along most of the South Atlantic. Striking a balance between recreational and commercial anglers is critical to conserving this commonly targeted species and ensuring access for North Carolina’s recreational anglers.   Highlights: The North Carolina Southern Flounder…

Why It Matters: In just a handful of states, Sunday hunting restrictions remain as remnants of puritanical blue laws originally enacted to encourage church attendance. Now, Sunday hunting restrictions limit the ability of sportsmen and women (the primary funders of conservation through the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation…

Why It Matters: Hunters work tirelessly to prepare year-round to pursue their favorite game species. As months turn into weeks and weeks turn into days, hunters dial in their calls, weapons of choice, and perhaps most importantly – the coveted in location as seasons approach. Hunters, especially in the East, often rely on private land…