Why It Matters: Shared rivers demand shared decisions. The Columbia River is managed across two states, two legislatures, and two fish and wildlife agencies, and the outcome of the decisions made by those entities determines whether salmon season stays open for the families who fish on the Columbia River each year. The Oregon and Washington […]
(July 24, 2026) – Salem, OR – The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) today celebrated the failure of Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28), the so-called “People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act,” after the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division announced the measure failed to gather enough valid signatures to qualify for the November 3, […]
Why It Matters: As signatures for Oregon’s Initiative Petition 28 (The PEACE ACT) surpass 126,000 and the measure inches closer to the November 2026 ballot, sportsmen and women must understand its real-world consequences. Proponents’ claims paint a simplistic picture of humane wildlife management, but the reality involves devastating impacts on native species, agricultural lands, and the funding that sustains Oregon’s conservation […]
Why It Matters: The People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, currently known as IP-28, threatens to criminalize longstanding traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping, farming, and even pest control by removing critical exemptions from Oregon’s animal cruelty statutes. If passed, the measure would upend access to local, quality meat resources for millions of Oregonians, devastate rural economies, and undermine the […]
Why It Matters: The 2026 legislative sessions in Oregon and Washington recently concluded, delivering a mix of victories and setbacks for sportsmen and women amid competing priorities and tight budgets in both states. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), Washington and Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses, and coalition partners helped secure protection and funding in some areas while defending against threats. Staying actively involved with lawmakers, agencies, and […]
Why It Matters: The Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) has issued strong opposition to Oregon Initiative Petition 28 (IP-28), a ballot measure that, if passed, would criminalize lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, along with other traditionally accepted practices such as wildlife management, pest control, animal husbandry, and agriculture. Highlights: IP-28 would eliminate exemptions from animal abuse statutes for lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife management, pest control, and standard agricultural practices. The loss…
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies in the Pacific Northwest are facing significant budget pressures amid economic challenges and competing demands for decreasing state general funds. In Oregon and Washington, directives for cuts and proposed reductions threaten core conservation programs, habitat management, and recreational access that sportsmen and women rely on. Highlights In preparation for the 2026…
Why It Matters: Interim committee meetings provide valuable insight into the legislative priorities for the coming legislative session and offer sportsmen and women an opportunity to engage with legislators on policies impacting hunting, fishing, trapping, recreational shooting, and other conservation issues. Early stakeholder involvement can help shape outcomes that support science-based wildlife management and access…
Why It Matters: The proposed silvicultural treatments will improve forest structure diversity across the landscape, which is critical to increasing forest resiliency to wildfire and other forest health threats. Healthy forests provide habitat for wildlife, clean and abundant water for fish and communities, and access for outdoor recreation. Highlights: On November 21, the Congressional Sportsmen’s…
Why It Matters: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Commission’s recent updates to hunting and fishing regulations aim to balance wildlife conservation with recreational opportunities. However, continued legislative restrictions on things like predator management threaten effective management of species like mule deer, which are declining due to both predation and habitat challenges. Highlights:…
Why It Matters: Facing a $500 million revenue shortfall and priorities set by Governor Tina Kotek, the 2025 legislative session in Oregon left little room for sportsmen’s issues. Still, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) fought vigorously to protect hunting, trapping, and firearms rights while advocating for conservation funding to protect Oregon’s outdoor heritage into the…