CSF PRIORITY HUNTER EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS LEGISLATION CLEARS HOUSE IN GEORGIA

ARTICLE CONTACT: MARK LANCE

Why It Matters: Today’s youth are the future sportsmen and women that will be called upon to carry on our sporting heritage. Efforts to establish hunter education classes in Georgia’s schools will benefit children in grades six through twelve by bringing our time-honored traditions into the classroom and recruiting the next generation of sportsmen and women.

Highlights:

• On February 13, Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Co-Chair Representatives Chas Cannon and Matt Dubnik, among other Caucus members, introduced House Bill 451, which would allow public schools to offer hunter safety education courses in grades six through twelve.
• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) spearheaded a Coalition Letter of Support for House Bill 451 alongside twelve other conservation organizations.
• On February 26, House Bill 451 was reported favorably out of the House Game, Fish and Parks Committee.
• On March 6, House Bill 451 passed the House of Representatives on a strong, bipartisan vote of 159-16.

House Bill 451 requires that the state Board of Education develop content standards for instruction in hunting safety no later than April 1, 2026. Local school boards will have the option to establish a curriculum in hunting safety beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The curriculum for the course will be optional and based on hunter safety education courses currently offered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and be taught by individuals who meet qualifications set by the DNR. Local school boards will have the option to establish a curriculum in hunting safety beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Bringing hunter education to local schools not only benefits today’s youth but also the future of our time-honored traditions. The “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) has three pillars: revenue from sporting licenses and excise tax revenue from both the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Programs. Today’s hunters support the ASCF in many ways, including the purchase of sporting licenses and sporting goods. However, as these hunters age out, they take their valued conservation dollars with them. To avoid the development of a funding gap from one generation to the next, efforts to recruit the next generation of sportsmen and women that will fund conservation into the future should be top of mind for policymakers and hunters alike.

Equipping young people with the knowledge needed to understand the basics of hunting, wildlife conservation, and hunting ethics is foundational to ensuring the next generation of sportsmen and women and the sustained future of conservation funding through the ASCF.

CSF again would like to thank Representatives Cannon and Dubnik, the Caucus, the DNR, and our many sporting conservation partners for their role in supporting this initiative through the House of Representatives, and we look forward to advancing House Bill 451 in the Senate.

States Involved: GA

NASC EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PRESIDENT INTRODUCES SEVERAL CSF PRIORITIES IN ARKANSAS

ARTICLE CONTACT: KENT KEENE

Why It Matters: Though the sporting-conservation community often finds itself in a defensive position, there are opportunities to advance proactive measures to protect and advance our outdoor pursuits. In Arkansas, these opportunities have recently taken shape in the form of a resolution to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of the Dingell-Johnson Act, and bills that would reimburse the state fish and wildlife agency for future license discounts and grant resident license pricing to exchange students attending school in the Natural State.

Highlights:

• NASC Executive Council President and Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jeff Wardlaw has been hard at work introducing legislation to advance sportsmen priorities in the Natural State.
• This session, Representative Wardlaw has introduced Arkansas House Bill 1631 (resident license rates for foreign exchange students), House Bill 1632 (reimbursements for discounted licenses), House Resolution 1045 (celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the Dingell-Johnson Act), and more.
• These efforts highlight some of the proactive opportunities available to pro-sportsmen legislators, particularly in states that are already incredibly supportive of the sportsmen’s community.

While the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) efforts during legislative sessions in many states are dominated by the need to protect against anti-sportsmen legislation, CSF has been working hard to flip the script and go on the offensive. Working closely with key partners and engaged elected officials, including those who serve on the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council, CSF has developed an assortment of pro-sportsmen language designed to protect and advance our shared outdoor interests. In Arkansas, NASC Executive Council President and Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jeff Wardlaw has been leading the charge to implement many of these priorities during the Natural State’s 2025 legislative session.

Last month, Representative Wardlaw introduced House Resolution 1045 which celebrates the 75^th Anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, better known as the Dingell-Johnson Act. This resolution is designed to commemorate the achievement of the Dingell-Johnson Act’s passage by Congress in 1950, as well as the investments in fisheries conservation efforts that have resulted from its adoption. HR 1045 was passed out of committee in the Arkansas House of Representatives and awaits further action on the House floor.

Earlier this month, Representative Wardlaw followed up with House Bills 1631 and 1632. HB 1631 would allow foreign exchange students attending school in Arkansas to apply for hunting and fishing licenses at the same rates paid by Arkansas residents. This incredible recruitment tool builds on existing allowances for non-resident, full-time college students to hunt and fish at resident license rates. HB 1632 would reimburse the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for any revenue lost as a result of any new hunting or fishing license discounts created by the Arkansas Legislature. In recent years, legislators across the country have sought opportunities to reward deserving groups with free or discounted licenses. HB 1632 would allow that to take place in Arkansas without worrying about the unintended consequences for conservation funding that would result from the lost license revenue. In support of HB 1632, CSF shared a letter of support with members of the Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. HB 1631 and 1632 both await further action in the House’s State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.

States Involved: AR

CSF PRIORITY FORESTLAND CONSERVATION LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN SENATE

ARTICLE CONTACT: JOHN CULCLASURE

Why It Matters:  Private working forests provide a wide range of benefits to the public including providing habitat for fish and wildlife, open space, and access for sportsmen and women, and more, and the Forest Conservation Easement Program would offer landowners additional options to conserve their forestland. Preventing the conversion of working forests to other land uses is critical to conserving wildlife, supporting the forest industry, and passing on our outdoor sporting traditions to the next generation.

Highlights:

• Creating the Forest Conservation Easement Program is a top priority for the sportsmen’s community, forest industry, and other conservation organizations.
• The legislation fills a gap in federal conservation programs for forests by allowing state and local governments, tribal agencies, and land trusts to purchase and hold conservation easements from landowners.
• Voluntary conservation agreements are proven tools for land conservation that are tailored to meet the goals of the landowner to conserve their land, including actively managing their forests, in perpetuity or for a set term of years.

On March 13, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Roger Wicker introduced the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act of 2025 (S. 1050). The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) supports this legislation, alongside a broad coalition of other conservation organizations. In the 118^th Congress, the FCEP Act of 2023 (S. 2631/H.R. 3424) had strong bipartisan support, and CSC Member and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Representative G.T. Thompson included FCEP in the Farm Bill.

Specifically, FCEP would expand the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP), renaming it the Forest Conservation Easement Program in the Farm Bill’s conservation title. FCEP offers two options for forestland conservation: Forest Land Easements, which are modeled after the Agricultural Land Easements under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and Forest Reserve Easements, which are modeled after and are the successor to HFRP. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), land trusts and state, local, and tribal agencies are eligible to purchase and hold conservation easements on working forests. Forest Reserve Easements are purchased directly from landowners, and NRCS will hold the easements.

CSF is thankful for the leadership of Senators Gillibrand and Wicker on this pressing issue for the conservation community. FCEP is critical to keep working forests as forests and thereby provide habitat for fish and wildlife and access for hunters and anglers. CSF looks forward to continuing to support the Forest Conservation Easement Program Act with the goal of including it in the Farm Bill.

MORE FREE AND DISCOUNTED HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRAPPING LICENSES BILLS INTRODUCED IN WEST VIRGINIA

ARTICLE CONTACT: KALEIGH LEAGER

Why It Matters: Each year, legislators across the country and in West Virginia, introduce well-meaning legislation that provides free and discounted hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses for certain qualified individuals/groups. However, these initiatives have the potential to have negative impacts on the state’s fish and wildlife agency’s budget. To prevent the loss of sportsmen-generated dollars for conservation funding, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) encourages legislators to introduce legislation that would reimburse the state’s fish and wildlife agency for lost revenue directly linked to the loss of revenue (conservation dollars) from free and discounted licenses.

Highlights:         

• Senate Bill 152 (SB 152) and Senate Bill 153 (SB 153) are two examples of legislation that has been recently introduced that will give specific groups/individuals free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses.
• States must receive a net revenue of $2.00 from each license sale to report a certified license holder which qualifies for additional federal funds.
• The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives funding from sportsmen and women generated dollars through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF).
• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is submitting a letter to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources requesting an amendment that includes the reimbursement model language, as this is a key priority for CSF.

From the cold-water streams that are home to some of the nation’s most stunning wild and native brook trout to the eastern turkey once again roaming the mountain ranges, “The Mountain State” is littered with magnificent wildlife and natural resources that must be actively conserved. Legislation that impacts conservation funding, though usually unintentional, poses a risk to our beloved natural resources.

SB 152 seeks to give a waiver of license fees for emergency responders disabled in the line of duty, while SB 153 seeks to waive license fees for municipal volunteer firefighters. While this legislation is likely intended to commend emergency responders for their hard work and dedication to their communities, it comes at a significant cost to the DNR and ultimately conservation funding which in turn directly impacts wildlife, their habitats, and the users of the state’s natural resources, you. This is why reimbursement legislation is necessary in preventing the further loss of sportsmen-generated dollars for conservation funding by requiring reimbursements to the state fish and wildlife agencies from the general funds for any free and discounted licenses. It is important to note that such legislation is not retroactive and would only apply to any free/discounted licenses passed after the legislation’s effective date.

State agencies are primarily funded by sportsmen and women generated dollars (license fees) along with federal match dollars through the Pittman-Robertson (PR) and Dingell-Johnson (DJ) Acts. The PR and DJ Acts are two ASCF cornerstones that authorize federal funding for state fish and wildlife agencies to manage and restore wildlife resources and their habitats. The distribution of these funds is formula-based and dependent on state size and the number of paid hunting and fishing license holders per state. This means that states who distribute free, or in some cases discounted, licenses are losing funds both from the initial revenue of license sales, as well as from funds that would be appropriated under PR and DJ.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation looks forward to working with the WV Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to protect conservation funding. Sportsmen and women are the boots-on-the-ground conservationists, and it is imperative that legislators continue to protect conservation funding for the state wildlife experts, such as the WV DNR.

States Involved: WV

CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S CAUCUS MEMBERS REINTRODUCE CRITICAL HUNTING ACCESS LEGISLATION

Why It Matters: Access to quality outdoor opportunities for sportsmen and women is one of the greatest limiting factors facing the sporting-conservation community. The Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) represents one solution to this challenge by providing landowners with financial and technical assistance in exchange for the provision of public access to their property for outdoor recreation. The recently introduced Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act would ensure that VPA-HIP receives a much-needed increase in funding and is included in the Farm Bill’s baseline moving forward.

Highlights:

• The bipartisan Voluntary Public Access (VPA) Improvement Act was recently introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Representatives Dingell and Johnson, Senators Daines and Bennett, and CSC Vice-Chair Senator Marshall.
• The VPA Improvement Act would increase VPA-HIP funding to $150 million over the life of the next Farm Bill while including the program in the Farm Bill’s baseline, ensuring its inclusion in the bill moving forward.
• The VPA Improvement Act is one of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) top priorities for the next iteration of the Farm Bill.

Last week, bipartisan leaders and members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate reintroduced the Voluntary Public Access (VPA) Improvement Act. Introduced in the House by CSC Members Representatives Dingell and Johnson and in the Senate by CSC Members Senators Daines and Bennett and CSC Vice-Chair Senator Marshall, the VPA Improvement Act would increase the Farm Bill’s Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) to $150 million while adding the program to the Farm Bill’s baseline.

The provisions of the VPA Improvement Act have long been a priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation given the program’s role in promoting public access for sportsmen and women while rewarding landowners who voluntarily enroll their property in the program. Through VPA-HIP, state fish and wildlife agencies apply for program funding to create state-led public access programs. Landowners in participating states can then enroll their property, permitting public access for outdoor recreation in exchange for financial and technical assistance. Landowners retain the ability to set the terms for access to their property, ensuring that property rights are protected.

As one of the most limiting factors facing sportsmen and women today, providing access to quality properties through programs like VPA-HIP are widely supported by the sporting-conservation community. Further, participating landowners around the country have reported a high level of satisfaction with the program as well. Recognizing this, CSF applauds the reintroduction of the VPA Improvement Act and will continue to support this priority legislation’s inclusion in the next Farm Bill.

States Involved: CO

ONE CHAMBER DOWN, ONE TO GO – CSF PRIORITY HUNTING ACCESS LEGISLATION SAILS UNANIMOUSLY THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE

ARTICLE CONTACT: CONNER BARKER

Why It Matters: In recent years, as southern coastal states face rapid influxes of new residents, efforts to conserve lands open to public hunting access remain front and center for sportsmen and women. Proactive measures to establish a “no-net-loss” of public hunting access will protect sportsmen and women’s ability to get outdoors, and in return, our time-honored traditions for generations to come.

Highlights:

• On January 30, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Co-Chair and National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council Member Representative Bobby Cox and Caucus Co-Chair Representative Heather Bauer introduced House Bill 3872, which would limit the loss of available acreage open to hunting for South Carolina’s sportsmen and women.
• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted comments in strong support of House Bill 3872.
• First reported favorably out of the House Wildlife Subcommittee on February 18, House Bill 3872 was subsequently reported favorably by the full House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee and was quickly followed by a unanimous 110-0 “Yes” vote on the House floor.
• House Bill 3872 will now head to the Senate for further consideration.

CSF staff around the country are busy tracking thousands of pieces of legislation impacting sportsmen and women. As measures move from committee to committee or on to the next chamber, CSF staff are working closely with legislative sportsmen’s caucus members on priority legislation that positively impacts sportsmen and women and their abilities to enjoy our time-honored traditions.

House Bill 3872 (HB 3872), an effort spearheaded by CSF and the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, quickly cleared subcommittee, full committee, and the House floor without receiving a single “No” vote.

HB 3872 applies to South Carolina managed lands which are defined as lands owned by the state in which the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) holds management authority and are enrolled in the Wildlife Management Area program. The following provisions also apply under HB 3872:

• SCDNR managed lands must be open to hunting access unless limited by the SCDNR for fish and wildlife management or otherwise limited by statute outside of the SCDNR’s authority;
• The SCDNR must exercise its authority in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances hunting opportunities;
• SCDNR land management decisions must not result in the net loss of habitat land acreage available for hunting opportunities;
• If the loss of acreage for hunting were to occur, the SCDNR shall expeditiously find replacement acreage to compensate for the closure;
• And the SCDNR must submit to the Senate Fish, Game, and Forestry and House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committees a written report describing the acreage that was closed to hunting during the previous fiscal year and the acreage that was opened to compensate for the closure.

CSF would like to again thank Representatives Bauer and Cox for their leadership on the “no-net-loss” of public hunting lands initiative. CSF looks forward to working with the Caucus, the SCDNR, and our partners to continue to advance House Bill 3872.

CSF PRIORITY HUNTING ACCESS BILL CLEARS FIRST LEGISLATIVE HURDLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA

ARTICLE CONTACT: CONNER BARKER

Why It Matters: Proactive efforts to conserve public hunting access will benefit both today’s and tomorrow’s sportsmen and women. South Carolina offers a wide array of excellent outdoor opportunities thanks in part to diverse public hunting access available to hunters from the upstate to the low country. Efforts to conserve public hunting access should remain top of mind for sportsmen and women of the Palmetto State.

Highlights:

• On January 30, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Co-Chair and National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses(NASC) Executive Council Member Representative Bobby Cox and Caucus Co-Chair Representative Heather Bauer introduced House Bill 3872, which would limit the loss of available acreage open to hunting for South Carolina’s sportsmen and women.
• On February 18, HB 3872 was reported favorably out of the House Wildlife Subcommittee on a 5-0 vote, as amended.
• Prior to the Subcommittee hearing, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted comments in support of HB 3872.
• HB 3872 is now awaiting consideration by the full House Wildlife, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.

South Carolina seeks to join other southern states like Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi in taking proactive approaches to conserving public hunting access in their respective states. The “No Net Loss” of publicly owned hunting areas, while new to South Carolina, has been an effective means of protecting hunting access for decades now in many other states across the nation.

As amended, HB 3872 applies to South Carolina managed lands which are defined as lands owned by the state in which the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) holds management authority and are enrolled in the Wildlife Management Area program. The following provisions also apply under HB 3872:

• SCDNR managed lands must be open to hunting access unless limited by the SCDNR for fish and wildlife management or otherwise limited by statute outside of the SCDNR’s authority;
• The SCDNR must exercise its authority in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances hunting opportunities;
• SCDNR land management decisions must not result in the net loss of habitat land acreage available for hunting opportunities;
• If the loss of acreage for hunting were to occur, the SCDNR shall expeditiously find replacement acreage to compensate for the closure;
• And the SCDNR must submit to the Senate Fish, Game, and Forestry and House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committees a written report describing the acreage that was closed to hunting during the previous fiscal year and the acreage that was opened to compensate for the closure.

CSF thanks Representatives Bauer and Cox for their leadership on this issue as well as the House Wildlife Subcommittee for passing this important piece of legislation. We look forward to coordinating with the Caucus, the SCDNR, and our partners to continue to advance this critical measure.

States Involved: SC

CSF PRIORITY HUNTER EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN GEORGIA

ARTICLE CONTACT: CONNER BARKER

Why It Matters: In a world where it seems to be increasingly easier for kids to be completely disconnected from nature and our time-honored traditions, efforts to bring awareness and hands-on training into schools would positively impact today’s youth on multiple fronts. Additionally, efforts specifically targeted at bringing hunter education programs to schools would play a pivotal role in recruiting the next generation of hunters to carry on our sporting heritage.

Highlights:

• On February 13, Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Co-Chair Representatives Chas Cannon and Matt Dubnik, among other Caucus members, introduced House Bill 451, which would allow public schools to offer hunter safety education courses in grades six through twelve.
• The curriculum for the course will be optional and based on hunter safety education courses currently offered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and be taught by individuals who meet qualifications set by the DNR.
• House Bill 451 is currently awaiting committee assignment

America’s youth are faced with many challenges associated with sedentary behavior, like obesity. By bringing hunting, angling, and nature appreciation programs, like hunter safety education, into schools, students have the opportunity to be exposed to our time-honored traditions which could improve their quality of life while simultaneously recruiting the next generation of hunters that pay into the American System of Conservation Funding.

Advancing hunter education in the schools programs has been a long-standing priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Other states have explored similar efforts supported by CSF. In Michigan and Illinois, there is currently legislation proposed that would create a model program for firearm safety to be offered as an elective in schools that would also include instruction on hunter safety education.

Representatives Cannon and Dubnik’s bill focuses on the goal of providing young and beginning hunters with the information they need to understand the basics of hunting, general hunting practices, wildlife conservation, and conservation ethic shared by all sportsmen and women. The bill provides that hunting safety courses in public schools helps to recruit the next generation of sportsmen and women, which contributes to hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts. House Bill 451 requires that the state Board of Education develop content standards for instruction in hunting safety no later than April 1, 2026. Local school boards will have the option to establish a curriculum in hunting safety beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

CSF thanks Representatives Cannon and Dubnik for their initiative and leadership on this critical issue that would benefit Georgia’s youth. CSF looks forward to working with the Caucus, the DNR, and our partners on this initiative.

States Involved: GA

CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION’S 2025 STATE ISSUE BRIEFS NOW AVAILABLE

ARTICLE CONTACT: HANNAH STUBBLEFIELD

Why It Matters: As the nation’s most effective outdoor advocacy organization, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) policy experts at the state level work with all 50 state sportsmen’s caucuses to ensure the rights of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers are protected and advanced.  To better inform the policymaking process and to provide historical background information, CSF’s staff of policy experts created this valuable resource that encompasses more than 90 policy focus areas into one easy-to-use online catalog.

 Highlights:

• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s new slate of State Issue Briefs are now available.
• Benefitting all 50 state sportsmen’s caucuses, as well as the community at large, the State Issue Briefs catalog is a valuable resource that provides background information on more than 90 policy topics that CSF’s policy staff is focused on for 2025.
• New State Issues Briefs for this year include Fanning or Reaping as a Method of Taking Turkeys; Modernizing Muzzleloader Definitions; South Atlantic Red Snapper Management; and Straight-Walled Rifle Cartridges.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s 2025 State Issue Brief document is now available. Further cementing its status as a sportsmen’s community leader in statehouses across the country, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s expert policy team produces this valuable resource which provides legislators and members of the sportsmen’s community with the latest information on a wide variety of policy topics impacting the nation’s hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers.

Designed by CSF to assist the 50 state sportsmen’s caucuses and the more than 2,100 state legislators currently united through the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), State Issue Briefs provide critical background on policy and regulations impacting America’s outdoor heritage. Also available to the sportsmen’s community at-large, the Issue Brief catalog equips sportsmen and women with the background necessary to participate in the policymaking process effectively.

The full list of 2025 State Issue Briefs is comprised of more than 90 relevant topics and issues that are divided into four categories:

1. Access and Opportunity
2. Conservation
3. Protecting and Promoting Our Sportsmen’s Heritage
4. Youth Engagement and R3

The wide range of topics include Public Access to Private Land; Freshwater Angling Access; Conservation Sales Tax; State Fish and Wildlife Management Authority; Firearm Suppressors; Hunting with Dogs; Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges; White-tailed Deer Management – Hunting as a Preferred Management Tool; Sunday Hunting; Apprentice Hunting Licenses; Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3); among many others.

Each year, CSF’s state and federal policy teams track more than 7,000 policy proposals related to hunting, angling, recreational shooting, trapping, and other conservation issues. As a result of the efforts of CSF’s network of federal and state sportsmen’s caucuses, over 1,400 pro-sportsmen’s bills have been passed in the last 7 years alone.

To view the 2025 State Issue Briefs, click here.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH PASSES COMMITTEE IN THE HAWKEYE STATE

ARTICLE CONTACT: JAKE GOULD

Why It Matters: As efforts to undermine the ability of sportsmen and women continue across the country, Iowa is working to constitutionally enshrine the rights of Iowans to hunt, fish, and trap. Constitutional amendments to protect the right to hunt, fish, and trap represent one of the strongest safeguards for our time-honored outdoor traditions.

Highlights:

• Efforts to protect the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife via a constitutional amendment are currently making their way through the Iowa legislature.
• The proposed amendment recently passed by the House Natural Resources Committee and now heads to the floor for further consideration.
• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), and several conservation organizations, are continuing efforts from 2023 and 2024 to grow support among the sporting community.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and several conservation organizations, have been active in supporting Iowa House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7), continuing efforts that started in 2023 when the proposed amendment was originally introduced.

On February 11, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to pass House Joint Resolution 7 out of committee and send it to the House floor where it will be scheduled for further action by the full chamber. CSF submitted testimony in support of HJR 7, highlighting the importance and protections the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife will offer sportsmen and women in the Hawkeye State. With efforts to undermine participation in our outdoor traditions continuing to pop-up around the country, constitutionally protecting these rights represents an important step towards safeguarding the future of Iowa’s outdoor heritage. If passed, HJR 7 would provide Iowa’s citizens with the opportunity to weigh in on the conversation and vote to protect their time-honored traditions. Though, there are still several hurdles the proposed amendment will need to cross before being voted on by Iowa’s citizens.

Efforts to enact the proposed constitutional amendment have been ongoing for several sessions, most recently in 2023  where the proposed amendments failed to make it out of their respective committees. Those efforts were carried over to the 2024 legislative session, where they again did not move out of committee. While these efforts did not succeed in past sessions, the previous efforts to gain support for the constitutional amendment have helped HJR 7 make it further in the legislative process than past efforts.

CSF will continue our efforts with in-state partners, conservation organizations, and the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to further gain support for the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in Iowa.

States Involved: IA