The Sportsmen's Voice | Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Advocacy with Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

Critical conservation funding and access battles heat up as major policy wins stack nationwide. Momentum continues to build for sportsmen and women across the country as key conservation policies, hunting access protections, and fisheries funding measures move forward. From suppressor legislation in Kansas to public land trapping victories in Colorado, this week’s roundup highlights how state and federal decisions are shaping the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. At the center of the conversation is the reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, one of the most important pillars of fisheries management and boating access in the United States. Backed by excise taxes on fishing tackle and marine fuel, this funding mechanism drives state-level conservation work, supports fish stocking programs, and improves angler access nationwide. Understanding how this system works and what’s at stake gives anglers a clearer picture of how their dollars directly impact the resource. The discussion also digs into emerging threats like state-level excise taxes on firearms and continued efforts to restrict hunting and fishing access on public lands. On the flip side, science-based wildlife management strategies, including cormorant control and beaver trapping, highlight the ongoing importance of active stewardship in both freshwater and habitat conservation. This is a boots-on-the-ground look at the policies shaping hunting, fishing, and public land access across America. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when kids trade screens for wetlands, woods, and real conservation experiences? The future of hunting, fishing, and conservation depends on something bigger than habitat alone. It depends on people. This conversation dives into how youth outdoor education programs are reshaping the next generation of conservation-minded citizens through hands-on experiences in the woods and on the water. From waterfowl hunting heritage to immersive conservation camps, the focus is on introducing kids to the outdoors at the right age and in the right way. Listeners will hear how structured programs like multi-day camps, school partnerships, and mentored hunts are creating lifelong connections to wildlife, habitat, and the North American model of wildlife conservation. The discussion explores why fourth grade may be the critical window for engagement, how outdoor learning improves mental health and cognitive development, and why conservation literacy is the missing link in today’s policy battles. There’s also a deeper look at scaling these efforts nationwide. With existing infrastructure like 4-H camps, shooting sports programs, and local hunting clubs, the opportunity to expand hunting education, fishing skills, and outdoor stewardship is closer than most realize. For those concerned about the decline in hunter participation, shifting wildlife management funding, or the future of public lands, this conversation offers a clear path forward rooted in education and access. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, and conservation policy conversations. For more about the camps and programs - scwa.org – South Carolina Waterfowl Association Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major policy shifts could reshape hunting access, seasons, and opportunity across multiple states. After a long four-year legal battle, a federal court has overturned California’s youth firearm marketing law, marking a significant victory for youth sportsmen recruitment and Second Amendment rights. California’s sportsmen and women are a cornerstone of conservation funding through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). Laws that restrict youth engagement not only infringe on constitutional rights but also threaten the future of wildlife conservation Massachusetts is closer than ever to lifting its long-standing Sunday hunting ban, a move that could immediately double opportunity for working-class hunters. At the same time, proposed reductions to hunting setbacks could unlock new parcels of land, opening doors for more accessible deer hunting and archery seasons. In the Southeast, Tennessee is advancing legislation that would standardize hunting regulations statewide, cutting through confusing local restrictions that often trip up hunters in the field. Out West and in the Midwest, discussions around suppressor legislation, public land use, and wildlife funding continue to shape how sportsmen engage with the outdoors. Meanwhile, debates in places like Rhode Island highlight a growing divide over active forest management and its role in maintaining healthy wildlife habitat for game species. This conversation breaks down what these policy changes actually mean on the ground, giving hunters and anglers a clearer picture of how legislation directly impacts access, opportunity, and conservation outcomes across the country. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A growing fight over wildlife control could reshape hunting and fishing nationwide. A major policy battle is unfolding in New Jersey that could redefine how wildlife management decisions are made and who gets a seat at the table. Proposed legislation would shift the balance of the state’s Fish and Game Council, replacing experienced hunters and anglers with representatives from loosely defined animal welfare organizations. The implications reach far beyond one state, touching the core of science-based wildlife management and the proven North American model of conservation. This conversation breaks down why boots-on-the-ground experience matters when setting hunting seasons, fishing regulations, and population goals. It explores how decisions rooted in biology, habitat management, and real-world field knowledge differ from those driven by emotion or ideology. Across the country, the legislative landscape is just as active. Updates include waterfowl and fisheries policy debates in Louisiana, movement on suppressor legislation in Kansas, funding wins for fish and wildlife agencies in Oregon, and ongoing battles over forest management for wildlife habitat in Rhode Island. These stories highlight how elk hunting, deer management, trapping, and fisheries conservation all depend on sound policy decisions. If you care about hunting access, fishing opportunities, and the future of conservation, this is a critical look at what’s happening right now and what’s at stake. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From red snapper seasons to wildfire policy, major decisions are shaping your days outdoors. Momentum is building in Washington on issues that directly impact hunting, fishing, and access to public lands and waters. Early 2026 has already delivered meaningful progress for anglers, boaters, and sportsmen who rely on better data, smarter management, and expanded opportunity. On the fisheries side, efforts to modernize mapping and access are moving closer to the finish line, giving saltwater and freshwater anglers clearer visibility into regulations, closures, and marine zones. At the same time, momentum is growing behind state-led fisheries management that could dramatically expand red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic, mirroring the success seen in the Gulf. It’s a shift toward better data collection and more days on the water. There’s also renewed focus on shark depredation and offshore access, alongside updates to whale regulations that could introduce technology-driven solutions instead of blanket restrictions that limit offshore fishing. On land, forest policy is taking center stage ahead of wildfire season. Key legislation aims to accelerate active forest management, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce catastrophic fire risk. From prescribed burns to habitat restoration, these efforts directly affect big game habitat, turkey hunting landscapes, and the long-term health of public lands. This conversation breaks down what’s moving, what matters, and how it all connects back to your time in the field and on the water. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, and conservation policy conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major win for hunters in Tennessee collides with rising policy fights over hunting, trapping, and outdoor traditions nationwide. Momentum for hunting and fishing access continues across the country, but not without resistance. This week’s roundup breaks down the policy battles shaping the future of the outdoors, from hunter education in schools to constitutional protections for hunting and fishing. Tennessee delivered a major victory for the hunting community as legislation allowing hunter education courses in public schools cleared the legislature and now awaits the governor’s signature. The proposal would allow students in grades 5 through 12 to complete their hunter safety education during school hours, earning academic credit while learning firearm safety, wildlife conservation, and responsible outdoor participation. For young hunters, it creates a new pathway into the field and strengthens the future of the hunting tradition. Elsewhere, the fight proved tougher. A push to add the right to hunt and fish to the New Hampshire constitution fell just short in the state legislature after a close vote and a heated debate over wildlife policy and outdoor heritage. Despite the setback, the coalition behind the effort mobilized hunters, anglers, trappers, conservation groups, and unexpected allies across the state. The episode also looks west, where Colorado’s proposed ban on the commercial sale of wildlife fur advanced despite strong opposition from conservation advocates who argue the move ignores science and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. From turkey hunting season kicking off in the South to legislative fights affecting hunters nationwide, this conversation explains what these policy developments mean for sportsmen and women in the field. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A high-stakes fight over Sunday hunting reveals how policy decisions shape opportunity for hunters nationwide. Access to the outdoors often hinges on legislation. In Maryland, the long-running debate over Sunday hunting is back in the spotlight, and the outcome could shape hunting opportunity for thousands of sportsmen. Fred sits down with Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Kaleigh Leager to break down the latest effort to expand Sunday hunting access in Maryland. The current rules remain one of the most confusing regulatory frameworks in the country, varying county by county and species by species. The proposed legislation aims to expand hunting hours on Sundays while balancing competing interests from other outdoor user groups. The discussion also tackles opposition from segments of the waterfowl hunting community, misconceptions about migratory bird management, and how Atlantic Flyway regulations ensure sustainable waterfowl populations. Beyond Maryland, the roundup covers key conservation policy developments affecting hunters and anglers across the country. Recreational anglers and boaters are invited to help shape improvements to the North Atlantic right whale vessel strike rule. In Tennessee, several bills supporting hunter education and wildlife funding are advancing through the legislature. Indiana moves closer to protecting shooting ranges from local zoning restrictions, while Utah closes out a legislative session that produced several wins for sportsmen. The episode also explores a controversial forestry proposal in Vermont that could limit active forest management on public lands. For hunters and anglers who care about access, wildlife management, and the future of outdoor traditions, these policy conversations matter. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations that connect you to conservation policy. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A radical ballot initiative could criminalize hunting, fishing, and farming across Oregon overnight. A sweeping ballot proposal in Oregon is raising alarm across the hunting, fishing, and agricultural communities. Initiative Petition 28, known as IP 28, would remove long-standing legal exemptions within the state’s animal abuse statutes. Those exemptions currently protect lawful activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife management, livestock production, pest control, and veterinary research. If the initiative reached the ballot and passed, those activities could be classified as criminal acts. Nearly a million hunters and anglers in Oregon would suddenly face legal risk for participating in traditional outdoor pursuits. The measure would also affect commercial fishing, cattle ranching, dairy production, and the everyday practices that support local food systems. The conversation digs into how IP 28 is structured, why its supporters continue pushing the proposal despite long odds, and how the initiative fits into a broader national strategy targeting hunting and fishing traditions. There is also a close look at the economic and conservation impacts. Removing legal protections for wildlife management could disrupt the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the funding system that supports habitat, game management, and fisheries science. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of what IP 28 actually proposes, how ballot initiatives move forward in Oregon, and why hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the country are paying attention. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, and conservation policy conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A billion-dollar salmon fishery hangs in the balance as Pebble Mine resurfaces. The long-running fight over the proposed Bristol Bay mine is back in the national spotlight, and hunters and anglers should be paying attention. At the center of the debate is the Pebble Mine, a massive open-pit mining project slated for the headwaters of the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon run. For decades, Bristol Bay has been a cornerstone of Alaska salmon fishing, supporting a billion-dollar commercial fishery and world-class sport fishing for wild sockeye. It’s also vital habitat for trout fishing, bear hunting, and subsistence lifestyles that depend on intact salmon runs. The concern has always been simple: large-scale mining in the watershed could devastate spawning habitat and permanently damage one of the greatest fisheries on earth. After the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a key permit in 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a rare veto in 2023 under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act. Now, the Department of Justice has reinforced that veto in court, defending the decision to block the mine as proposed. For sportsmen and women who value sustainable fisheries, wild salmon conservation, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, this is a major moment. The outcome will shape how America balances resource development with the protection of critical hunting and fishing habitat for generations. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A sweeping ballot initiative could outlaw hunting, fishing, and wildlife management in Oregon. Oregon’s IP 28 is more than another anti-hunting proposal. It is a direct attempt to eliminate exemptions within the state’s animal cruelty statutes, effectively banning hunting, angling, trapping, ranching practices, and even common wildlife management tools. If passed, the measure would restrict predator control, criminalize certain animal husbandry practices, and severely limit the ability of biologists to manage species through science-based conservation. Supporters are nearing the signature threshold required to place the initiative on the 2026 ballot. If certified, Oregon voters will decide whether consumptive use of wildlife and livestock production remains legal under state law. That includes everything from elk hunting and bass fishing to pest control and prescribed wildlife management. This conversation goes far beyond one state. Ballot box biology has reshaped wildlife policy before, and IP 28 could serve as a blueprint for similar efforts nationwide. Hunters, anglers, landowners, and conservation advocates need to understand what is at stake and why unified engagement matters. This is a critical moment for the sporting community and the future of science-based wildlife conservation. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A decades-long fight ends, opening new opportunity for hunters across Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has officially expanded Sunday hunting, marking one of the most significant conservation policy wins in the Northeast. After years of stalled efforts and narrow defeats, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation along with the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Members, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and a broad coalition of conservation groups worked together to roll back long-standing restrictions and restore access for sportsmen and women. Championed by Representatives Mandy Steele and Anita Kulik, and signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro, the legislation gives the Game Commission authority to fully incorporate Sundays into regulated hunting seasons. For working families balancing youth sports, church, and packed schedules, the added day means more time afield and on the waterways, and greater opportunity to mentor new hunters. Beyond access, the impact stretches into wildlife management and agriculture. Expanded hunting days can help address crop damage from high deer populations, reduce deer-vehicle collisions, and support long-term conservation funding through license sales. Early reports from wardens indicate strong participation and heartfelt appreciation from families finally able to hunt together on Sundays. This milestone also sets a precedent for regional states like Maine and Massachusetts, where full prohibitions remain. Pennsylvania’s success proves that bipartisan collaboration, strong data, and a unified conservation community can deliver meaningful change for the outdoors. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Longer red snapper seasons could transform South Atlantic fishing opportunities this year. Momentum is building for South Atlantic red snapper anglers from Florida to North Carolina. After years of frustrating two-day federal seasons, state-led data collection reforms may finally open the door to significantly expanded access. Florida is requesting a 39-day season, while Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are pursuing up to 62 days through exempted fishing permits and mandatory reporting programs. The shift mirrors the Gulf of Mexico’s success, where state management and improved recreational fishing data expanded red snapper seasons from just three days to more than 100 days in some states. At the heart of the debate is how catch, release mortality, and discard estimates are calculated in offshore fisheries management. Better, angler-driven reporting could convert estimated dead discards into real harvest opportunity while maintaining sustainable biomass levels. Beyond saltwater fishing policy, this week covers right to hunt and fish protections in New Hampshire, license reimbursement reform in Mississippi, drone-assisted deer recovery legislation in Iowa and South Dakota, and prescribed fire projects in Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest. From White-tailed deer management and elk recovery to forest habitat restoration and conservation funding, these battles shape the future of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors nationwide. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fight for hunting heritage is happening in classrooms and state capitols. The future of hunting, fishing, and America’s outdoor traditions depends on more than recruitment. It hinges on smart conservation policy, access to quality land, and educating the next generation about their role on the landscape. Leaders from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation break down proactive legislation shaping the sporting future across the Midwest and West. From hunter education in schools to bipartisan firearm safety efforts, they explain how states like Michigan and Arkansas are building pathways for youth exposure to hunting, conservation funding, and responsible firearm ownership. The conversation goes deeper than recruitment. You’ll hear why the American System of Conservation Funding must be taught alongside physical science, how wildlife councils in Colorado and Michigan are reshaping public perception of hunters, and why access programs in Wisconsin are critical for maintaining quality hunting and fishing opportunities. This is an insider look at how state legislators, fish and wildlife agencies, and sportsmen’s groups are protecting access, strengthening conservation funding, and defending private property rights. If you care about waterfowl hunting, deer management, public land access, or the long-term future of our outdoor heritage, this conversation matters. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildlife policy battles are reshaping hunting access, conservation funding, and forest management nationwide. Fred breaks down the most consequential conservation news impacting hunters, anglers, and the broader outdoors community. From prestigious recognition in the hunting world to legislative fights that could redefine wildlife management, this conversation goes beyond headlines and into what it means for boots-on-the-ground sportsmen. Jeff Crane’s receipt of the Peter H. Capstick Hunting Heritage Award underscores the power of strong leadership in conservation. But while individual achievements are worth celebrating, policy decisions in states like Indiana, Maryland, and Arizona could have lasting effects on waterfowl hunting, big game seasons, veteran hunting access, and the science-based management model that has long defined North American wildlife conservation. We examine the controversy over lead ammunition restrictions in Maryland and what it means for hunter participation, economic accessibility, and Second Amendment-adjacent debates. We also unpack how changes to natural resources commissions can disrupt science-driven wildlife policy, and why bipartisan conservation legislation remains essential to protecting hunting and fishing traditions. Finally, we explore proactive forest management and wildfire mitigation critical issues for elk hunting habitat, whitetail range, and public land access. If you care about the future of hunting, fishing, and conservation policy, this episode delivers the context you need to stay informed and engaged. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

License fees, fish hatcheries, and hunter education collide in Michigan’s high-stakes conservation debate. Michigan’s outdoor heritage runs on a model many hunters and anglers take for granted: user-funded conservation. Michigan DNR Deputy Director Shannon Lott and State Senator John Bumstead pull back the curtain on how hunting and fishing license dollars actually keep fisheries stocked, wildlife managed, and public lands open. The discussion centers on Michigan’s long-overdue license fee restructuring and why it matters now more than ever. Rising costs have put pressure on fish hatcheries, Great Lakes stocking programs, and wildlife management budgets that are funded almost entirely by sportsmen and women. When license revenue falls short, the ripple effects show up fast, from threatened stocking cuts to deferred maintenance on state lands relied on by hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists. With fewer legislators holding hunting or fishing licenses, education has become critical. From the role of Sportsmen’s Caucuses to the importance of maintaining agency authority grounded in science, the episode highlights how conservation policy is shaped long before it reaches the field. A major focus lands on Hunter Education in schools and why early exposure to firearm safety, conservation funding, and outdoor traditions matters for the future of hunting, fishing, and public access. Take a candid look at who pays into the system, who doesn’t, and why protecting this funding model is essential for Michigan’s outdoor economy and way of life. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From classrooms to statehouses, the future of hunting access is being decided right now. State legislatures are moving fast, and the decisions being made right now will shape hunting and fishing access for decades. This nationwide conservation roundup breaks down the most important policy fights affecting sportsmen and women, from the Southeast to the Great Plains. The conversation opens with Tennessee’s push to expand hunter education opportunities by allowing schools to offer voluntary hunter safety courses for grades five through twelve. The discussion explores why early exposure to hunting ethics, firearms safety, and wildlife management matters, and how similar efforts have already gained bipartisan support in states like Georgia and Michigan. Out West, attention turns to Wyoming, where proposed legislation could affect transferable landowner tags, the use of tracking dogs for wounded game, and funding structures for state fish and wildlife agencies. These policies directly influence elk hunting access, fair-chase recovery practices, and long-term conservation funding. In the Northeast, Massachusetts presents a major opportunity with potential Sunday hunting rollbacks and expanded crossbow inclusion during archery season. The stakes are high for whitetail deer management, Lyme disease concerns, and giving working families more time afield. The roundup closes in the Midwest, covering Kansas efforts to reimburse wildlife agencies for discounted licenses and an Iowa proposal aimed at increasing political participation among hunters and anglers through voter registration. For anyone who hunts, fishes, or cares about protecting outdoor traditions, this episode connects policy to real-world impact and explains why showing up at the state level has never mattered more. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices