State: WI

Why It Matters: Although sportsmen and women typically use camouflage to remain stealthy while afield, it has the opposite effect when worn in a state capitol building and quickly communicates an important message amongst the suits that typically occupy the halls of government. By coordinating an advocacy day like last week’s event in Wisconsin, hunters, anglers, and trappers…

Why It Matters: Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has long provided land acquisition and habitat management opportunities that benefit sportsmen and women through increased public access and improved habitat conditions. With the program set to expire in 2026 and no funding included in the current state budget, this legislation is critical to avoid a lapse in…

Why It Matters: Although hunters are at home in the field or woods, they must still be aware of what happens in the halls of their state government. Changes and updates to hunting laws and regulations can impact the pursuit of sportsmen and women’s favorite species, and hunters must stay on top of those changes…

Why It Matters: Legislatures that meet year-round still have outstanding opportunities to enact policies that benefit sportsmen and women. In Wisconsin, reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund would continue to provide hunters and anglers with access to the State’s storied fish and wildlife resources, while creating a new hunting season for sandhill cranes would help farmers…

Why It Matters: To properly conserve natural resources and provide quality hunting and fishing opportunities, state fish and wildlife agencies are charged with a long list of responsibilities. Growing operational costs necessitate adjustments to the revenue that is generated through the American System of Conservation Funding and its complements to ensure that our time-honored outdoor…

Why It Matters: Across the country, hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers shoulder the responsibility of funding state fish and wildlife agencies through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). However, due to constantly increasing staffing and programmatic costs, supplemental funding sources outside of the traditional ASCF model are critical to these agencies’ ability to…

Why It Matters: Advancement in muzzleloading technology has created a modern iteration of the classic firearm with enhanced safety and reliability without sacrificing the characteristics that have defined muzzleloader hunting for hundreds of years. Wisconsin recently passed legislation that will allow hunters in the Badger State to use this updated technology during the 2024 season,…

Why It Matters: As you may remember from Schoolhouse Rock, a bill’s journey is not complete after it has been approved by the Legislative Branch – the Executive Branch (the Governor at the state level) must either sign or veto it. Recently, the Wisconsin Governor elected to sign a few sporting bills into law while…

Over the last decade, many states have expanded opportunities for archery hunters wishing to use crossbows. Incorporating crossbow hunting opportunities into game management may increase hunter recruitment and retention, and crossbows can be valuable tool for controlling game populations, particularly in suburban and urban areas. Over the past decade, many states have eliminated restrictions on…

Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for access to activities like hunting, fishing and recreational shooting. As these agencies develop strategies to manage federal lands, it is critical for those who support these activities…

“No-Net-Loss” of public lands has become increasingly important to ensure access to public lands and waterways for current and future generations of sportsmen and women. Sometimes referred to as “Hunting Heritage Protection Acts,” these policies limit the loss of access to hunting and fishing opportunity by establishing a minimum acreage of publicly- owned areas open…