Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, the sporting community celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) across the country. Thanks to the efforts of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CFS) regional and federal staff, 38 Governors and the President of the United States, issued proclamations commemorating the day. In New England alone, Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus …
Why It Matters: In July 2021, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a letter of support with recommendations to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) relative to the originally proposed Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Recreational Hunting and Fishing Plan. To the hunting conservation community’s surprise, the final plan …
Why It Matters: Trapping is unique in that it can be used for predator and furbearer management, harvest, to maintain healthy ecosystems, manage invasive species, and can also be used to capture live wildlife for research and management purposes. Restraining traps have been particularly critical in conservation efforts by allowing state agencies to capture and …
Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women, including recreational shooters, have a crucial role as the primary funders of state-level conservation efforts in Vermont (and across the nation) and are thus an important constituency that provides benefits for all residents of the state. Anti-firearms legislation, such as S. 4, poses a significant threat to the state’s …
Proposed Firearms Restrictions in VT: A Closer Look Read More »
Why It Matters: Trapping is unique in that it is used in many facets of wildlife management, from population control to human-wildlife conflict resolution, to data collection. Modern restraining traps have been particularly critical in conservation efforts by allowing state agencies to capture and relocate endangered species. The regulations developed by state agencies for trapping …
Furbearer Trapping: An Important Sporting Pursuit and Wildlife Management Tool Read More »
Contact: Joe Bachar, New England States Coordinator Why It Matters: CSF has a tenured history in working alongside fish, wildlife, and forestry managers at both the state and federal levels to advocate for active forest management practices across the nation. Compared to passive management, active management is more effective for improving wildlife habitat, increasing forest …
CSF and Vermont Sportsmen’s Caucus Weigh-In on Timber Harvest Project Read More »
Contact: Joe Bachar, Coordinator, Northeastern States Why It Matters: Firearm suppressors increase safety for sportsmen and women taking part in shooting activities. Contrary to popular belief, suppressors (also known as “silencers”) do not completely silence firearms, rather they serve to reduce the sound signatures of gunshots to minimize the risk of hearing damage. Although suppressors …
Contact: Joe Mullin, Manager, Northeastern States Why it Matters: Firearm suppressors are often referred to as the hearing protection of the 21st Century. Vermont recognized this in 2015 when it authorized their ownership. However, since then, their use has not been legal while hunting. In the 40 states that have already authorized the use of …
Vermont Caucus Co-Chair Leads Charge in Fighting for Suppressor Use While Hunting Read More »
Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States Why it Matters: Without question, fish and wildlife management authority should and must remain within the respective state agency’s purview. They are unequivocally the best entities equipped to address fish and wildlife management issues within their respective borders. Recent efforts in the northeast region, such as S. 281, …
Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States Why it Matters: State fish and wildlife agency boards and commissions have instrumental roles in setting the frameworks that result in the successful conservation and management of a state’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Sportsmen and women (including hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers) have played a crucial …
Strong Representation by Vermont’s Sporting Community During Committee Hearing Read More »