State Policy Advocacy

Hunting and fishing access protected in perpetuity on a large working forest in MT.

Hunting and fishing will not be prohibited in old-growth reserves in MA.

The U.S. Forest Service will not prioritize older forests over managing for habitat diversity, which is critical for wildlife.

“Fire funding fix” ensures the U.S. Forest Service’s funding for habitat management to support quality experiences for hunters is not diverted for wildfire suppression.

Anglers in New Hampshire will continue to have live bait as an option for fishing.

A national program to improve aquatic habitat and fishing opportunities has been permanently authorized by Congress.

Anglers in the Gulf now enjoy months, not days, of red snapper seasons.

Enhanced opportunities for improved marine fisheries management through the Modern Fish Act.

Helped secure roughly $750 million in authorized conservation funding through the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act in 2020 and in 2024.

Served as a leading voice on the effort to ensure that up to 3 million acres of federal public lands were not arbitrarily sold off in 2025.

Successfully advocated on behalf of sportsmen and women to secure $3 billion to restore infrastructure on federal lands and waters that are most important to sportsmen and women through the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020.

Ensured that critical federal funding will remain available for public schools for hunter education, shooting sponsored shooting teams, archery classes, and other critical enrichment programs through the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act 2023.

Efforts to recruit and retain college-aged sportsmen and women were enhanced in AR.

Investments in conservation education for youth were secured in SC.

Sportsmen and women in NH will not be subjected to additional wait times for firearm transfers.

Firearm safety devices are now exempt from the state sales tax in OK.

The legal, regulated sale of fur products remain protected in WA.

Anglers in NH May continue to use live bait from out of state for their angling pursuits.

The tradition of utilizing dogs to hunt deer was defended in MS.

Sportsmen and women in GA may continue to hunt with airguns.

The sanctity of the Public Trust Doctrine and American System of Conservation Funding were protected in ME.

Fines and penalties for poaching violations will now go back to conservation funding in MS, upholding the Public Trust Doctrine.

Sportsmen and women may continue to use firearms and knives on public lands in WA.

Firearm owners in AZ will not be prohibited from conducting private firearms sales.

Hunters & recreational shooters in AR will not be subject to having their purchases tracked or halted by financial institutions.

The private information of landowners in CO who make wildlife damage claims was protected.

Sportsmen & women under 21 years of age in NV and VA can legally purchase & possess common semi-auto firearms.

A voluntary “Do Not Sell” list to govern firearm sales will not be created in CA.

Penalties for poaching were increased in CT and TN.

Additional resources to combat poaching were secured in HI.

Utilization of bait for furbearers will continue as an effective means of management in VT.

Sportsmen and women in MD, VA, VT, and WA were protected against “sin taxes” on firearms and ammunition.

The ability to buy, possess, and use modern sporting firearms and/or standard capacity magazines was successfully defended in AZ, NM, UT, and VT.

State agency authority was defended and/or enhanced in AL, CO, IN, MD, ME, MO, MT, NH, ND, NM, SD, TN, TX, and WA.

Critical investments in conservation were protected and/or enhanced in IA, LA, MD, MS, MT, NM, and SD.

250,000 acres of wetlands that provide critical wildlife habitat were protected in TN.

Wildlife conservation and management will be enhanced in MT through improved reporting and data collection.

Wildlife habitat on private lands enhanced in LA through landowner assistance program.

Fire and habitat management enhanced in MT through the establishment of fire training and liability standards.

AR Legislature recognized the critical role healthy, working forests play in supporting the state’s ecosystems and economy.

Wild Turkey were protected in Maine and not subject to daily bag limits equal to Ruffed Grouse.

The NY State Assembly celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day, which generated $76.3 million in NY last year alone.

The widely supported appointment of Christy Clark to position of Director of the Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks was confirmed by the Senate in MT.

Governor of Maryland celebrated the 75th anniversary of Sportfish Restoration Program.

Landowners receiving no-cost hunting licenses in WY will not be able to sell them to others, upholding the principles of the Public Trust Doctrine.

Sportsmen-generated funds protected from being used to study impacts of lead ammo in Maine.

State wildlife management authority over bison was expanded in CO.

Sportsmen and women will be able to hunt black bears in FL for the first time in over a decade.

Air rifles will now be authorized for hunting in NH and can pay into conservation funding like all other methods of take.

400,000 hunters in MN may continue to use crossbows to take game during archery season.

Deer hunters in IN may harvest deer with fewer limitations on allowed cartridge lengths.

Congress was not asked to transfer 27M acres of federal lands to the state, highlighting support for public access for sportsmen and women in WY.

Hunting and recreational shooting access protected on 168,000 acres of state lands in VT.

More than 250,000 acres of public hunting and angling access were protected in AR.

Access to huntable land in SD protected against overly burdensome discharge distance restrictions.

Hunters in MD will retain their ability to use traditional lead ammunition.

More than 1.1M sportsmen and women in LA may now hunt with modern muzzleloader iterations, enhancing safety while afield yet conserving tradition.

Hunters in MD and TN may now use new technologies to assist in the recovery of wounded game while maintaining the Fair Chase Ethic central to our outdoor traditions.

Regulated, nighttime hunting opportunities for certain species were expanded in UT.

Public hunting and angling access to private lands were protected and enhanced in MT.

New projectile options are now available for muzzleloader hunters in ID.

Hunter safety and the conservation ethic remain protected in KY.

Educational and mentorship opportunities for trappers were enhanced in ID and MT.

First time firearm owners in CA will not be required to complete live-fire training to receive their state Firearm Safety Card.

Firearm retailers in AZ, CA, NM, and WV were protected against unfair and discriminatory requirements.

Legislatures in AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, NH, NV, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, and WV celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program and formally recognized the crucial role that sportsmen and women play in funding conservation efforts through the “user pays, public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding.

Opportunities to improve water availability for wildlife were enhanced in NV.

Access rights to 42 million acres of private lands and 7 million acres of huntable public land were protected in ND.

New Sunday hunting opportunities opened on nearly 30 million acres in CT and PA.