The Sportsmen's Voice | Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Advocacy with Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation – Details, episodes & analysis

During this week's edition of the Sportsmen's Voice Roundup, Fred covers some HUGE breaking news regarding some key conservation bills in Congress, talks challenges faced by state wildlife management authorities, and dives deep into the importance of venison donation programs, and the role of sportsmen and women in conservation efforts around the nation.   Takeaways A New State Legislative Session Underway: It’s that time of year, with state legislative sessions under way and with them new bills to watch being introduced that may impact conservation funding and the sporting lifestyle. Get the update on what’s on the horizon in your state from Fred! Free Licenses In Mississippi: A proposal for free licensing, which can sound great at first glance, could threaten funding for wildlife management and important sportsmen’s initiatives.  Big Changes In Washington: Governance changes in Washington could affect public input in wildlife management, highlighting the need for bipartisan support for wildlife management initiatives. Venison Donation Drives: Venison donation programs are vital for community support of hunting and wildlife management, but inflation is impacting the sustainability of venison donation programs.  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

Fred is working the floor at SHOT Show and sits down with CSF partners at Traditions. Tom and Allison Hall, talk about all things muzzleloading, the new firestick technology, and new products like Traditions’ own NitroBolt – the first Firestick-capable bolt action muzzleloader which was test fired at Industry Day at the Show. Key Takeaways: Check Out Traditions’ NitroFire: This award winning firearm teamed up with Hodgdon Powder and Federal’s new Firestick technology to increase muzzleloader reliability, safety and accuracy New Technology Makes Muzzleloading Accessible: This revolutionary new technology stands to welcome back hunters (and their hunter dollars spent on more gear, additional tags, and more days afield) to muzzleloading by providing a reliable, safe and accurate platform. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter   Episode: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cnu8coavovnbqlerwr30t/38_Traditions-01-23-25.mp3?rlkey=ujk6qf9jql9dh7khiz0zk9mqg&st=6yi5xtij&dl=0  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Sportsmen’s Voice Podcast, host Fred Bird brings you live insights from the recent NASC Summit—a pivotal event for the hunting, fishing, and conservation community. Join us as we explore the intersection of legislative actions and outdoor recreation, with a focus on safeguarding the traditions of hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and trapping.   Fred sits down with key leaders to discuss: Hunting and Fishing Policy: How excise taxes and merchant category codes are shaping the future of gun ownership and outdoor recreation. Legislative Challenges: The impact of state-level laws on Second Amendment rights, consumer privacy, and the accessibility of hunting and trapping for all demographics. Wildlife Management: Why science-based approaches and collaboration among state agencies are critical to combating anti-hunting legislation and promoting conservation. Rigs to Reefs Initiative: The vital role of offshore platforms in marine life conservation, the challenges of decommissioning, and how legislative efforts can support habitat restoration.   Key Takeaways: Hunting & Fishing Advocacy: Legislative Sportsman's Caucuses are instrumental in defending the rights of sportsmen across the nation. Excise Taxes & Gun Ownership: These taxes disproportionately impact low-income individuals while threatening privacy through merchant category codes. Wildlife Conservation: State agencies and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) play a leading role in promoting science-driven wildlife management. Marine Habitat Protection: Offshore platforms provide critical habitats; decommissioning must balance ecological needs with innovative solutions like the Rigs to Reefs initiative.   Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter short guitar transition sweet ending by busabx -- https://freesound.org/s/639416/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Sportsmen's Voice podcast, host Fred Bird is focusing on Arizona's anti-hunting petition, Florida's Big Cypress access plan, Illinois hunting contests controversies, and the adoption of new muzzleloading technology.  Takeaways Hunting With Dogs In Arizona: The Arizona Game and Fish Department is reviewing a petition against hunting with dogs, which would negatively impact hunters and science-based wildlife management in the state. Big Cypress Access Plan: The Big Cypress access plan has reopened trails for off-road vehicles. Battling Legislative Issues In Illinois: CSF’s legislative efforts in Illinois have successfully halted restrictive hunting bills.   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

You’re going to want to hit pause and eat before this episode of the Sportsmen’s Voice Podcast, where host Fred Bird is joined by world renowned wild game chefs Jesse Griffiths and Josh Schwenke to talk all things Thanksgiving. From roulades to roasts, the two chefs talk about what’s in their game freezer after the season and how they’re sharing that bounty with loved ones this holiday season, and how you can up your game with your harvest as well! 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

In this episode of the Sportsmen's Voice podcast, host Fred Bird is joined once again by Marie Nemuiller tackling new trapping regulations in Montana, then goes on from the NASC Summit to cover expanded hunting opportunities in Southern Michigan, Pennsylvania failed to advance the bill to repeal Sunday hunting prohibitions, and the need for stricter penalties for poaching to protect our conservation resources.  Takeaways Grizzly Bear Protection In Montana: Montana has released updated trapping regulations to protect grizzly bears. Chasing Does In Southern Michigan: Southern Michigan is offering a new $5 antlerless hunting season to better manage the deer population. Poachers Have To Feel It: Poaching undermines the social acceptance of hunting, and is often conflated with legal and ethical hunting. We need stricter penalties for poachers to crack down on poachers.   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

In this episode of the Sportsmen's Voice Roundup, host Fred Bird discusses the recent election results, the importance of CWD testing for deer hunters, and honors Veterans on Veterans Day, discussing the use of discounted hunting licenses for veterans while considering the impact on state agency revenues. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming events and features in the outdoor community.   Takeaways CWD Testing: CWD testing is crucial for deer hunters in several states. See our previous post-election coverage for more. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) – Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Honoring Our Veterans: Veterans Day is a time to honor those who served, and free licenses are a ‘least we can do’ to commemorate the fact that the outdoor community values the connection to nature for veterans, provided we establish suitable reimbursement models to ensure the state fish and wildlife agency does not lose critical conservation funding. Seniors, Veterans, and Active Duty Military Hunting and Angling Privileges – Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation   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

Podcast host Fred Bird is bringing you some lighthearted faire today after a tumultuous election cycle, covering CSF’s annual Wine, Wheels and Wildlife event, hosted by CSF Board Chairman, Richard Childress. Hear from conservation legends such as Bass Pro Founder and Lead Outfitter Johnny Morris, Eva Shockey, incoming CSF Board Chairman Ken Eubanks, and so many more conservation legends as they celebrate the great outdoors at one of the best events in the conservation space. 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

In this special POST-ELECTION episode of the Sportsmen's Voice Roundup, Fred Bird catches up with Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Vice President of Policy, Brent Miller, along with key players in the Yes On 2 Amendment campaign in Florida and the No On Proposition 127 campaign in Colorado to save mountain lion and bobcat hunting to talk about these two incredible wins for conservation, discuss what happens next, and celebrate what happens when sportsmen come together   Takeaways Colorado Proposition 127 - PENDING WIN: Proposition 127 is all but defeated, and awaiting certification by the Secretary of State of Colorado.  Vote YES On Florida Amendment 2: Amendment 2 won by a HUGE margin and enshrines the right to hunt, fish and trap into the state constitution of the great State of Florida.   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

In this special episode of the Sportsmen's Voice Roundup, the LAST one before the election, host Fred Bird discusses the importance of voting in the upcoming elections, particularly for hunters, anglers, target shooters, trappers and other sportsmen and women in key conservation battleground states like Colorado and Florida. Hear from Travis Thompson and Mark Lance who discuss Florida’s Amendment 2 RTHF Amendment and Dan Gates who speaks about Colorado’s Proposition 127 and emphasizes the need for informed voting and civic responsibility, urging listeners to get OUT of the tree stand or OFF the water for Election Day and participate actively in the electoral process.    Takeaways Vote NO On Colorado Proposition 127: Proposition 127 poses significant risks to wildlife management in Colorado. The vote will come down to getting out the vote and rely on community engagement in educating voters about Prop 127, meanwhile, voter fatigue is a risk. Vote YES On Florida Amendment 2: Amendment 2 aims to establish the right to hunt and fish in Florida, and the odds look great with recent polling showing strong public support nearly 67%. Myths surrounding Amendment 2 include impacts on private property rights, which are unfounded.   CSF Protecting Outdoor Pursuits Conservation Raffle: POP4Conservation   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