Republican vs. Democrat Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Members Compete at Annual Congressional Shoot-Out

On May 12, 35 Members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) joined the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) and representatives from the sportsmen's community at Prince George's County Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland, for a friendly competition of shooting rounds of trap, skeet and sporting clays...

Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Management: Learn More

The National Marine Fisheries Service recently announced that the average recreational angler fishing the Gulf of Mexico for red snapper will only have ten days (and only one weekend) to do so in 2015, while the charter/for-hire industry will have 44 days and the commercial industry 365 days, which continues to highlight the need for a significant overhaul to the management of this iconic species. The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, in collaboration with partners from the sportfishing community, and federal and state legislators from the Gulf region, continue to work diligently to improve the management of Gulf of Mexico red snapper for recreational fishing. Click here to view the updated federal issue brief webpage for background information and a summary of recent events relative to the management of this important American fishery...

Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chairs Comment on Proposed BATFE Ammunition Ban

Recently, Governors Earl Ray Tomblin (D-WV) and Terry Branstad (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC), issued a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), strongly supporting the agency's decision on March 10, to table a recent framework that would have banned one of the most commonly used rounds by recreational shooters... 

Three Southeastern Federal Fish Hatcheries Receive Permanent Funding

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) Member Senator Lamar Alexander (TN) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recently announced a permanent funding solution for three regional trout hatcheries in Tennessee and Georgia.  Previously only fully funded through 2016, Tennessee's Erwin National Fish Hatchery and Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery, as well as Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery in Georgia will now permanently remain open at current funding levels...  

IN THE STATES

Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Reception

On April 29, the Maine Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus hosted a Sportsmen's Caucus Reception in Augusta, Maine at the Governor Hill Mansion. Over two dozen Maine legislators gathered with partners from the sportsmen's community to discuss the importance of hunting and angling to Maine's heritage, economy, and for the conservation of critical fish and wildlife habitat throughout the state...  

Maryland Reforms Waterfowl Baiting Law, Repeals "Strict Liability" Doctrine

Previously, Maryland law - unlike federal law - did not require criminal intent as a condition of violating the state's migratory bird baiting law. In Maryland, as in many states, baiting for deer is legal, while baiting for waterfowl is illegal. Under the previous law, individuals could have been charged with baiting for waterfowl simply because elsewhere on the property someone was baiting for deer, regardless of whether the waterfowl hunter was aware there was bait nearby... 

Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Hosts Spring Shoot, Wild Game Dinner, and Breakfast Briefing