State: WA

Why It Matters: Senate Bill 5217, and the expected reintroduced version, seeks to ban many semi-automatic firearms commonly used by America’s sportsmen and women in hunting and recreational shooting. Modern sporting rifles and semi-automatic firearms are not only important to our hunting heritage but are highly popular in the recreational shooting community. This legislation would…

Recent advances in technology, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), which can assist in the tracking and taking of game, have posed an ethical debate within the hunting community. Legislators and sportsmen should be mindful of Fair Chase issues and, on a state-by-state basis, determine if legislation is warranted to ensure hunting is practiced ethically…

Why It Matters: Washington’s hunters, anglers, and trappers have long played a vital role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays — public benefits” structure, Washington’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the Washington…

On August 7, the Washington Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus in partnership with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted a successful launch of their inaugural Columbia River Fishing Trip. Over 20 bipartisan legislators from across the state came together in Kalama, Washington for a morning of fishing and camaraderie, followed by a luncheon sponsored by the Washington…

Contact: Aoibheann Cline, Western States Coordinator On October 15, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) requested that the Department of the Interior (DOI) reconsider a 2016 decision to close the Skokomish River to recreational fishing (Solicitor Opinion M-37034). The Solicitor Opinion in 2016 resulted in the closure of bank fishing…

Contact: Aoibheann Cline, Western States Coordinator The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects beyond health concerns and “shelter-in-place” orders, and the impact is being felt by sportsmen and women in Washington State. Most notably, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) closed recreational fishing statewide in the wake of Governor Inslee’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ directive. While public safety…

Contact: Aoibheann Cline, Western States Coordinator  Warm water anglers have received good news when it comes to greater inclusion in the management of game fish in Washington State, through the proposed formation of a Warm Water Advisory Group for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Senate Bill (SB) 6450 and House Bill (HB) 2666, proposals…

Contact: Aoibheann Cline, Western States Coordinator The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Private Lands Access Program, working with the Weyerhaeuser Company, recently opened up 6,638 acres of forest to hunters for free access. The enrolled forest land is adjacent to Department of Natural Resources land that spans Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties, in…

Contact: Aoibheann Cline, Western States Coordinator From October 8-11, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Western States Coordinator Aoibheann Cline spent the week at the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Sportfishing Summit at the Skamamnia Lodge along the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in Stevenson, Washington. ASA is a long-time partner organization of CSF’s and represents the interests of…

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking candidates to serve on both the Wolf Advisory Committee (WAC) and Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group (SFA). The WAC advises WDFW on wolf recovery and management and is comprised of 18 members that represent the diverse interests of hunters

Contact: Aoibheann Cline, Western States Coordinator The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting applications for the Game Management Advisory Council (Council), which works closely with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.  The Council works with WDFW in advancing its mission to protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife…

Contact: Aoibheann Cline, Western States Coordinator On April 18th, the Washington Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its annual sportsmen’s shootout and luncheon at Evergreen Sportsmen’s Club in Littlerock. The event kicked off with a policy and firearms safety briefing at the Capitol, led by a National Rifle Association (NRA) Certified Instructor and Certified Master Range Safety…