PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO JOINS THE GOVERNORS SPORTSMEN’S CAUCUS

ARTICLE CONTACT: KALEIGH LEAGER

Why It Matters: One of the last lines of defense against attempts to undermine our time-honored outdoor traditions is located on a Governor’s desk. This is why the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) is a critical component of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) three-pronged approach to our mission. By joining the GSC, Governor Josh Shapiro demonstrates his dedication to the Keystone State’s sportsmen and women.   

Highlights:

• In early October, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro officially became the 28^th active member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus.
• As part of the GSC, Governor Shapiro is now a member of a bipartisan network designed to further protect and advance our time-honored outdoor traditions.
• Since the GSC was formed in 2009, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has worked closely with GSC members as a final line of defense in support of our rights as hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooting sports participants.

In October, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro became the 28^th active member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus. Created in 2009, CSF formed the GSC to protect and advance the interests of sportsmen and women, while shaping policy that is designed to enhance professional fish and wildlife management., the GSC is a bipartisan network of governors who share information across state lines and beyond political lines in support of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s mission to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.

GSC members also work closely with the respective state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses organized through the bipartisan National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC). Together, these two programs represent an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials. While many of CSF’s policy victories are won through close coordination with NASC-member caucuses, the GSC has historically played a pivotal role in pushing pro-sportsmen and women’s policy across the finish line while stopping anti policies at their final hurdle.

Most recently, Governor Shapiro signed Act 36 of 2025, which repealed the longstanding prohibition on Sunday hunting, an issue CSF worked tirelessly on for 15 years. Governor Shapiro also continues Pennsylvania’s longstanding representation on the GSC, directly following former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.

“I have so much respect for Pennsylvania’s hunters and sportsmen who continue to uphold this important tradition all across our Commonwealth.  Hunting helps protect our Commonwealth’s natural resources, and gives folks a chance to connect with friends, family, and community.  It’s a rich part of Pennsylvania’s history – and I’m looking forward to honoring that tradition by being a member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus.” said Governor Shapiro.

Governor Shapiro recognizes the important role that sportsmen and women play in conservation and the state and local economies. CSF is excited to work alongside Governor Shapiro and his team on behalf of the Keystone State’s sportsmen and women.

States Involved: PA

GREAT PLAINS HUNTERS GEAR UP AS PHEASANT SEASON TAKES FLIGHT

ARTICLE CONTACT: JAKE GOULD

Why it Matters: Across the Great Plains region, one of the most anticipated fall hunting seasons is opening soon. Pheasants stand as one of the most popular birds hunted in the Great Plains and offer opportunities for groups to get out and hunt together. However, the pheasant hunting season could have looked substantially different in North and South Dakota if the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hadn’t successfully killed bad legislation in both states earlier this year.

Highlights:

• Pheasant hunting in the Great Plains region is one of the most popular and anticipated for hunting seasons.
• Legislation introduced during the 2025 legislative session in both North Dakota and South Dakota could have negatively impacted this year’s pheasant hunting season.

Across the Great Plains region, hunters are getting their gear and dogs ready in anticipation of the opening of the pheasant hunting season. North Dakota’s season is already underway, with the other states in the region opening their seasons in late October and early November.  The Great Plains offer some of the best opportunities for hunters to hit the field and get their chance to hunt these upland birds, which offers a great opportunity to introduce new hunters to our time-honored outdoor traditions.

This year’s pheasant season could have looked much different if certain bills had been passed this legislative session. North Dakota introduced Senate Bill 2168 (SB 2168), which would have required hunters to have permission from neighboring landowners to hunt within 440 yards of an occupied building, structure, or storage structure, even if the structures are not located on the property they are hunting. Through CSF’s efforts, SB 2168 was successfully defeated, resulting in the protection of millions of acres of hunting access across the Peace Garden State.

Moving down to the Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota introduced House Bill 1236 (HB 1236), which would have increased the discharge distance in South Dakota from 660 feet to one-quarter mile, or 1320 feet. HB 1236, which was also defeated, would have increased the radius around buildings from 31.42 acres to approximately 126 acres where hunters could not legally hunt.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active in defeating this legislation and will continue to work to protect the rights of sportsmen and women.

SC LEGISLATIVE SPORTSMEN’S CAUCUS HOSTS SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL SOUTHERN SPORTING CLASSIC

ARTICLE CONTACT: CONNER BARKER

Why It Matters: The South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) works diligently throughout the year to engage Caucus members with the sporting-conservation community. The bipartisan Caucus works under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) umbrella that serves to protect and advance our hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting sports in South Carolina. Whether it’s policy or events, the Caucus continues to keep the Palmetto State’s time-honored traditions front of mind year-round.

Highlights:

• On October 16, the Caucus hosted the South Carolina Southern Sporting Classic at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield, SC.
• Over 100 members of the sporting-conservation community joined members of the South Carolina and Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses for a day of camaraderie and friendly competition on the sporting clays course, followed by dinner and a reception.
• CSF and Caucus leaders were able to discuss past policy wins, like the opening of public land Sunday hunting in 2023, and focus on upcoming policy priorities such as getting House Bill 3872 (No Net Loss of Public Lands) across the finish line in 2026.

While legislators are not in session in South Carolina in the fall, there is still work to be done. The quickly approaching 2026 legislative session is set to kick off in under three months, and members of the sporting-conservation community want to ensure that their voices are heard. The Caucus remains active throughout the year by hosting events like the SC Southern Sporting Classic to hear from members of the sporting conservation community. And with hunting seasons in full swing, whether participants admit it or not, most could always use a few extra reps at the sporting clays facility before heading afield.

Caucus Co-Chair Senator Russell Ott spoke on behalf of the Caucus and its effectiveness in Columbia over recent years, as well as highlighted upcoming efforts. The Caucus celebrated the recent expansion of public land Sunday hunting being opened in 2023 for the first time in South Carolina’s history. Looking ahead, Senator Ott expanded on upcoming efforts in 2026, like getting House Bill 3872, a bill that passed the House of Representatives unanimously last session and would protect public hunting lands in the Palmetto State, across the finish line when the legislature reconvenes in early 2026.

On the events front, Caucus leadership highlighted a very successful policy reception held in Columbia during session earlier this year. Additionally, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Senior Coordinator, Southeastern States, Conner Barker discussed the highly anticipated 22^nd Annual NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit scheduled to take place in Memphis, Tennessee December 9 – 12^th. South Carolina sends a strong attendance of partners and Caucus members to the NASC Summit each year and this year is expected to be no different.

Also in attendance were members of Collegiate Sportsmen and Women’s Coalitions (CSWC) from Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. The CSWC is a network of individual student-led organizations, supported and guided by CSF, that offers a new approach to sporting-conservation student organizations on campus focused on policy education and engagement.

Finally, CSF and the Caucus thanks all of its partners that sponsored this year’s SC Southern Sporting Classic including: The Southern Group (Presenting Sponsor), South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (Title Sponsor), BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Ducks Unlimited, South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, FN Firearms, Local Boy Outfitters, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina, Nucor, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Santee Development Corporation, South Carolina Sporting Dogs Association, and 1101 Public Affairs (Host Sponsors) for generously supporting the Caucus.

States Involved: SC

CSF WELCOMES NEW SOUTHWESTERN STATES COORDINATOR

ARTICLE CONTACT: KAYLEE MORTENSEN

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) announced today that Kaylee Mortensen has joined the organization as the Southwestern States Coordinator. In this role, Kaylee will work closely with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah to protect and promote America’s outdoor traditions.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is a true safeguard of America’s sporting heritage and the caliber at which the organization operates is remarkable,” said Kaylee. “CSF staff work with great devotion to protect the legacy of our outdoor traditions, and I am honored to join their team.”

Prior to joining CSF, Kaylee worked as the Wildlife Events Marketing Specialist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, where she led the statewide Wildlife Recreation Events Program to increase participation in hunting, fishing, shooting sports, and wildlife viewing. Her work focused on the R3 strategy of recruiting new participants, retaining existing ones, and reactivating former sportsmen and women. During her collegiate years, she also completed an internship with the U.S House of Representatives.

Kaylee earned bachelor’s degrees in English Literature and International Affairs, with an emphasis in Foreign Relations and Security from the University of Utah. She also holds a Master of Public Administration focused on outdoor recreation, tourism, and marketing.

A native of the American West, Kaylee grew up ice fishing and skiing in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. She is an enthusiastic fly fisher and is particularly fond of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Kaylee now calls California’s Central Coast her home and when she is not in the water or on the slopes, she enjoys upland and waterfowl hunting, and exploring public lands by way of overlanding.

States Involved: AZ / CA / HI / NV / UT

CSF WELCOMES NEW ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES COORDINATOR

ARTICLE CONTACT: NATE SERLIN

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) announced today that Nate Serlin has joined the organization as the Rocky Mountain States Coordinator. In this role, Nate will work closely with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming to protect and promote America’s outdoor traditions.

“Our sporting and outdoor heritage is under constant siege, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is the tip of the spear in defending our way of life,” said Nate. “I’m proud to join CSF and work amongst a team dedicated to the issues so close to my heart.”

Nate comes to CSF with a wide breadth of previous experiences, including a development internship with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), a policy internship with Ducks Unlimited (DU), a resource management internship with the Forest Service (USFS), two seasons as a packer for an Alaska hunting outfitter, and a field organizer for a U.S. Senate campaign. Most recently, Nate worked for the Montana House Legislature as a legislative aide, where he also clerked for the Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.

Nate earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University, double majoring in Government and History with a minor in education, where he headed their collegiate DU chapter for 3 years, and sat on the DU state Public Policy board. He also volunteered with local Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) chapters, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) in Washington, D.C.

Nate grew up in Central New York and learned to hunt chasing big woods whitetails in the storied Adirondack mountains. He is now a serious and avid waterfowl hunter, and enjoys fishing, camping, upland, and turkey hunting in the off-season. He is also a shooting sports enthusiast with aspiration to someday be a competitive handgun, rifle, or shotgun shooter.

States Involved: CO / ID / MT / NM / WY

NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR KELLY AYOTTE CONTINUES LONG TRADITION OF “LIVE FREE OR DIE” ON GOVERNORS SPORTSMEN’S CAUCUS

ARTICLE CONTACT: FRED BIRD

Why It Matters: One of the last lines of defense against attempts to undermine our time-honored outdoor traditions is located on a Governor’s desk. This is why the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) is a critical component of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s  (CSF) three-pronged approach to our mission. By joining the GSC, Governor Kelly Ayotte demonstrates her dedication to the Granite State’s sportsmen and women.  

Highlights:

• On October 22, 2025, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte officially became the 29th active member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus.
• As part of the GSC, Governor Ayotte is now a member of a bipartisan network designed to further protect and advance our time-honored outdoor traditions.
• Since the GSC was formed in 2009, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has worked closely with GSC members as a final line of defense in support of our rights as hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooting sports participants.

On October 22, 2025, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte became the 29th active member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus. Created in 2009, CSF formed the GSC to protect and advance the interests of sportsmen and women, while shaping policy that is designed to enhance professional fish and wildlife management. The GSC is a bipartisan network of governors who share information across state lines and beyond political affiliation in support of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s mission to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping.

GSC members also work closely with their respective state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses organized through the bipartisan National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC). Together, these two programs represent an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials. While many of CSF’s policy victories are won through close coordination with NASC-member caucuses, the GSC has historically played a pivotal role in advancing pro-sportsmen and women’s policy across the finish line and stopping anti policies at their final hurdle.

Most recently, Governor Ayotte signed Chapter No. 21, authorizing air rifles for hunting game, and Chapter No. 22, which increased penalties on poachers – illustrating the great value New Hampshire’s wildlife plays in the Granite State. Governor Ayotte continues a long tradition of the “Corner Office” strongly representing the sporting community of the Live Free or Die state, to include the most recent GSC co-chair, Chris Sununu.

“Hunting and fishing are a proud part of our way of life in New Hampshire. I’m proud to join the Governors Sportsmen’s caucus so we can continue supporting hunters and anglers in our state and across the country,” said Governor Ayotte. “I want to thank Fred Bird and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation for advocating for sportsmen, and I look forward to working together to ensure Granite Staters can continue to hunt, fish, and enjoy the great outdoors.”

Governor Ayotte recently recognized the important role that sportsmen and women play in conservation and New Hampshire’s state and local economies by declaring September 27, 2025, New Hampshire Hunting and Fishing Day. CSF is excited to work alongside Governor Ayotte and her team on behalf of New Hampshire’s sportsmen and women.

States Involved: NH