Why It Matters: The conclusion of legislative sessions across the Lower Midwest provides an opportunity to reflect on the victories for sportsmen and women secured this year while taking inventory of the remaining challenges and opportunities that await us in the future. While the region did witness significant wins, thanks to the work of like-minded…
Why It Matters: While many states across the U.S. hold sportsmen and women in high regard, it is important that the sporting conservation community take steps to ensure that this view is retained. Oklahoma’s SCR 4 is a shining example of how the role of sportsmen and women as conservationists can be highlighted while encouraging…
Why It Matters: Legislation pertaining to the ownership and possession of firearms continues to be a popular topic throughout the Midwest, and around the country. CSF continues to engage on both pro and anti-sportsmen legislation pertaining to firearms. Given both the importance of firearms to many outdoor pursuits, as well as their critical role in…
Why It Matters: Airbows continue to gain popularity among deer hunters across the nation. With this popularity has come growing calls for the legalization of airbows as a method of take in states in which their use is not currently allowed. CSF and others support the use of airbows so long as such use is…
Highlights: Striking the balance between technology and conservation is critical to ensure that hunting remains safe and supports science-based conservation while providing new and novel opportunities. The use of arrow-shooting airguns during Oklahoma’s firearms deer seasons, following the purchase of an airbow conservation stamp (which ensures this new method of take contributes to conservation funding),…
Why It Matters: To ensure the longevity of the American System of Conservation Funding and defeat efforts designed to undermine our ability to participate in our time-honored outdoor traditions, we must take steps to recruit the next generation of sportsmen and sportswomen. Youth deer hunting seasons provide an opportunity to advance these objectives while spending…
Why It Matters: Being aware of changes to state laws and regulations is the first step in any successful hunting season. Before the buck-of-a-lifetime walks into your crosshairs this year, make sure that you are up to speed on any changes that may or may not be taking effect this hunting season. Highlights: Midwestern states…
Contact: Kent Keene, Assistant Manager, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why It Matters: Elected officials who dedicate their political career to serving the sportsmen and women of their state deserve recognition. Senator Mark Allen fits this bill well, serving as both a Co-Chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Member of the NASC…
Contact: Kent Keene, Assistant Manager, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why It Matters: While growing in popularity among sportsmen and women thanks to their ease of use, quiet nature, and effectiveness in the field, airbows currently do not contribute to the American System of Conservation Funding on a national scale since they are subject…
Contact: Kent Keene, Assistant Manager, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why it matters: As sessions wind down, legislation tends to move quickly. Recently, Oklahoma has seen several pro-sportsmen bills make progress while other poorly worded bills have been defeated. As session continues to draw to a close, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) will remain…
Contact: Kent Keene, Assistant Manager, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why It Matters: Politically charged conversations have increasingly found themselves entering the realm of sportsmen’s issues as they relate to public lands. Some have even begun to spill over into conversations about voluntary conservation programs available for private landowners. While many of these discussions…
Contact: Kent Keene; Assistant Manager, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy Why it Matters: Opportunities to permit the use of new technologies among sportsmen and women are exciting. However, such opportunities also carry considerations that must be addressed to ensure that the integrity of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the American System…