National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates the time-honored traditions of hunting and angling, as well as the immense conservation and economic contributions made over time by the original conservationists – sportsmen and women – who support sound, science-based wildlife management through license sales, excises taxes on outdoor gear, and sustainable-use models. National Hunting and Fishing…
As with many Constitutional protections, the court system has created carve-outs and exceptions to the Fourth Amendment, one being the Open Fields Doctrine. This doctrine holds that the expectation of privacy provided by the Fourth Amendment does not extend to “open fields” or other wooded properties, regardless of whether a property is posted with “No…
Though hunting, fishing, and harvesting wildlife (including by trapping) have long been an American heritage, dating back to before the first Europeans arrived in North America, only recently has the “right” to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife come into question. To establish in perpetuity what has been assumed for centuries, several states have sought amendments…
Several states have passed legislation that allows non-resident, full-time college students to obtain hunting and/or angling licenses at the same price as state residents. The intent of these bills are to increase hunter and angler recruitment and retention within a subset of sportsmen and women which are especially prone to being restricted from hunting due…
The vast majority of states throughout the nation offer an online component of the hunter’s safety course, which provides potential hunters a way to receive their hunter safety certification at their own pace. By offering new hunters an easy and efficient way to gain hunter safety certification, more people will have the opportunity to begin…
Why It Matters: Regarded as the most successful model of wildlife conservation in the world, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation can be credited for countless conservation success stories ranging from the current white-tailed deer abundance to the resurgence of the wild turkey. A large part of its success is attributed to the core…
Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, sportsmen and women across the nation celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD). This year’s efforts from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) helped secure proclamations commemorating the day from 39 governors and the President of the United States. Governors from all 12 Southeastern region states signed NHFD proclamations…
Why It Matters: Protecting and maintaining access and opportunities for hunters and anglers while working to ensure that wildlife management decisions are guided by best available science is key to the mission of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Through CSF’s engagement at the Tennessee General Assembly during the 2022-2023 legislative session, numerous anti-sportsmen bills were…
Why It Matters: (1) The TWRA is tasked with conserving Tennessee’s fish and wildlife, and HB 265 directly threatens their efforts to manage the state’s deer and elk herds by combating Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). (2) Trotlines have been utilized by fishermen for subsistence and recreational purposes for generations, and instances where trotlines have caused…
Why It Matters: States have recognized the importance of providing positive outdoor recreation experiences for youth. It is no secret that hunter numbers are declining across the board so taking kids hunting and doing whatever possible to provide them with positive experiences only serves to benefit recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts as well as provide…
Why It Matters: The dove hunt provided an opportunity for Caucus members, sportsmen’s groups, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) staff to enjoy a day afield together, celebrating Tennessee’s outdoor sporting heritage. Highlights: On September 13, the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus), in coordination with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, hosted their hosted their annual dove hunt at…
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Why It Matters: Lack of access is one of the biggest issues facing sportsmen and women and it is often cited as the primary reason why individuals no longer hunt and fish. The transfer of ownership and management authority of Yanahli WMA from the TWRA to Maury County directly threatens public…