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…
Contact: Mark Lance, Southeastern States Coordinator Highlights Why it Matters: The establishment of an oak/pine savanna would provide quality habitat for quail populations which have been on a continual decline across the Southeast for decades primarily due to loss of habitat. This habitat project would restore habitat for the South’s most iconic upland species as…
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On September 23, Governor Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order No. 2 to establish the Asian Carp Advisory Commission (Commission). The purpose of the Commission is to address and mitigate the spread of invasive Asian carp (bighead, black, grass, and silver) in Tennessee’s waterways to…
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On September 2, the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) hosted their annual dove hunt at the Lock Five Farms in Lebanon. Hosted in conjunction with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, the dove hunt provided an opportunity for Caucus members, sportsmen’s groups, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency leadership and Commissioners…
By John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager Recently, the bicameral and bipartisan Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) announced the addition of Representative Bob Freeman as the new Co-Chair of the Caucus.Representative Freeman joins National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council member Senator Mike Bell on the leadership bench for the Caucus. “I’m excited to help…
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On September 3, the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their annual dove hunt at the High Camp Farm in Erin. The event, hosted in conjunction with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, brought the Tennessee sportsmen’s community together for a day of comradery afield. Roughly 50 people, including a…