Numerous Anti-Sportsmen Bills Defeated and Maryland’s 2024 Legislative Session Adjourns “Sine Die” |
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The 2024 Maryland Legislative Session adjourned, “Sine Die”, on Monday, April 8th. With that, numerous anti-sportsmen bills including a “sin tax” on firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition, and a lead ban bill died as they did not pass out of both chambers before the deadline. CSF thanks the Maryland’s Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for keeping Maryland’s sportsmen and women in mind during this legislative session as well as promoting sound wildlife and fisheries management in the Old-Line State. |
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Court Ruling Impacts Wolf Trapping Seasons in Idaho |
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A recent court ruling has made wide scale changes to trapping seasons in the northern portions of Idaho, designated as grizzly bear habitat. Prior to this ruling, Idaho Senate Bill 1211 had expanded wolf trapping seasons in areas with chronic livestock depredation and/or reduced elk herds to create “meaningful balance”. U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale’s decision overrides previous legislation and bans trapping in grizzly bear habitat outside of denning season, sharply reducing the state’s options for predator management through sportsmen’s efforts. READ MORE |
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Approves 2024 Black Bear Hunting Season |
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Thanks to the conservation management efforts of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and their partners, utilizing funding generated in large part by hunters through the American System of Conservation Funding, data supports establishing a highly regulated hunting season for Louisiana black bears. This will provide sportsmen and women, who are lucky enough to draw a tag, the opportunity to pursue black bears in Louisiana for the first time since the 1980s. READ MORE |
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Liberty and Turkeys for All: Illinois Bills Would Expand Opportunities for Youth Hunters |
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If enacted, companion bills IL HB 4237 and SB 2767 would allow .410-bore and 28 gauge shotguns to be used during future turkey seasons. Allowing the use of small-bore shotguns to take turkeys expands the hunting opportunities available to youth, inexperienced, or otherwise recoil-sensitive hunters. As these smaller shotguns are entirely effective at ethically harvesting turkeys, allowing their use may very well create new lifelong turkey-chasers, which is critical to the continued enjoyment of our time-honored traditions. READ MORE |
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House Introduces Bill to Remove Access Uncertainty on Marine Waters |
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Last week, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY) and Congressman Mike Levin (CA) introduced H.R. 7925, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act, also known as the MAPOceans Act. The bill seeks to eliminate confusion for public recreation on our nation’s marine and coastal waterways through standardizing, consolidating, and publishing digital data concerning regulations on marine waters under federal management. READ MORE |
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House Passes Robust Recreation Package, Led by CSC Co-Chair Representative Westerman |
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Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6492, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE Act), on a voice vote, a clear sign of the wide-spread support for this legislation and outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. This bipartisan legislation is strongly supported by CSF and is led by CSC Co-Chair and Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Bruce Westerman, along with nearly two dozen other Representatives, many of which are CSC Members. READ MORE |
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URGENT! We’re calling on all Vermont sportsmen to protect the sanctity of fish and wildlife management in the Green Mountain State. We need the voices of sportsmen and women to be ringing loudly in Montpelier this week! Vermont Senate Bill 258 (VT S. 258) will be heard in the House Committee on Environment and Energy this week. This legislation could have a significant impact on our time-honored traditions and your action is needed urgently. Click here to learn more and to take action for our time-honored traditions! |
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