State: OR

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…

Why It Matters: Oregon House Bill 3932 pushes to ban beaver trapping on certain public lands, threatening a vital wildlife management tool under the pretext of conservation. This bill could disrupt ecological balance and waterway health, ignoring science for the sake of restrictive ideology. Highlights: HB 3932 appears to be part of a broader campaign…

Why It Matters:  Legislation seeking to restrict firearms is often eventually used as a vector of attack for issues more directly pertaining to sportsmen and women, just as restrictions on hunting are often used as a vector of attack against Second Amendment rights.  Our issues are fundamentally intertwined given that firearms of every kind are…

Why It Matters: Black bear management in Oregon is a current success story with the population showing steady growth and variety in age classes represented. In spite of the demonstrated success, groups who oppose the hunting of charismatic megafauna and predators made an effort to end spring black bear seasons at a recent ODFW Commission…

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,…

July 8, 2024 (Salem, Oregon) – The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is pleased to report that as of last Friday, Oregon Initiative Petition 3 (IP-3) officially did not qualify for the 2024 ballot. CSF has been and will continue to be a leading voice against this misguided effort to ban all hunting, fishing, trapping, and ranching…