State: NE

Why It Matters: In recent years, there has been an increase in legislation proposed to allow landowners to transfer or sell their limited landowner hunting permits. Allowing landowners to profit from access to public trust wildlife resources on the basis of landownership contradicts foundational conservation principles that have guided American fish and wildlife management policies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s…

Why it Matters: While many, including many of us at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, are spending their fall chasing pheasants, sitting in deer stands, or calling ducks in, there is still plenty of time to hit the open waters for fishing. With lakes in the upper part of the Great Plains region likely freezing soon,…

Why it Matters: With the deer hunting season in full swing across the country, state fish and wildlife agencies recommend hunters get their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease. Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, is a fatal, degenerative disease occurring in both farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, caribou, and moose. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation encourages…

Why it Matters: Across the Great Plains region, one of the most anticipated fall hunting seasons is opening soon. Pheasants stand as one of the most popular birds hunted in the Great Plains and offer opportunities for groups to get out and hunt together. However, the pheasant hunting season could have looked substantially different in…

Why it Matters: Passing on our time-honored hunting traditions is crucial for the future of conservation. Mentored hunts and youth hunting seasons provide safe, structured opportunities for young hunters to learn hunting skills, ethical shot placement, and develop confidence. These programs provide the first steps for youth and other first-time hunters to become engaged in…

Why It Matters: The duck hunting season in Nebraska and South Dakota is right around the corner. Duck hunters in these states have two options when it comes to bag limits when they are registering for their Harvest Information Program numbers. The two-tier option aims to address the issue of declining duck hunter numbers and…

Why It Matters: Over the past couple of years, the mountain lion population in Nebraska has increased and is healthy. With the increase in population, Nebraska has been working on increasing opportunities for hunters to hit the field and hunt mountain lions. Since 2023, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC)  has approved two new…

Why It Matters: Firearms have long been one of the most important tools for participating in our outdoor traditions. Recognizing this, the Nebraska legislature is considering two bills that would respectively protect firearm purchasers from having their firearm and ammunition purchases tracked while also protecting the firearm industry from discriminatory business practices. Highlights: Nebraska Legislative…

Why it Matters: Excise taxes imposed on firearms and ammunition at the state level place an overly burdensome expenditure on the backs of sportsmen and women. Firearms and ammunition are already subject to federal excise taxes at the manufacturer-level through the widely celebrated Pittman-Robertson Act which funds a variety of hunting, shooting, and wildlife conservation-related…

Why it Matters: In August of 2023, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) expanded hunting opportunities for mountain lions by establishing the new Niobrara Unit. Commissioners are again looking to create more opportunities for hunters to hit the fields and attempt to harvest a mountain lion by potentially expanding into the Wildcat Hills Unit….

Why It Matters: The Nebraska legislative session saw its fair share of legislation that would ultimately have negative impacts on the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission funding. There were multiple bills aimed at offering free and discounted licenses and a bill to divert millions of dollars away from Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Despite these…