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

Latest Episodes:

Episode 16 - Talking Trapping With The National Trappers Association AND Fur Takers of America! Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

TSV host Fred Bird is joined by John Daniel, President of the National Trappers Association, and Jason Wisniewski, President of Fur Takers of America, to talk about the history and necessity of fur trapping as a predator and furbearer control mechanism. From pheasants, turkeys and other ground nesting birds to the issue of predator control and ecosystem balance, they discuss the impact of legislation and fear-mongering on the industry, as well as the global market for fur products. They also explore the environmental impact of synthetic fur and the importance of balancing human population with wildlife management. Fred touches on the disconnect between the public and trappers with both organizations, as well as the positive effects of trapping on wildlife populations, particularly for turkey management. This conversation explores various aspects of trapping, including best management practices, regulation, trapping techniques and equipment, selective trapping, misconceptions about trapping, the laborious nature of trapping (it’s certainly not as easy as the anti-hunters claim!), trapping as a skill and the unprecedented increases in trapping education nationwide, the importance of trapping for conservation, misinformation and its effects on recent legislation, trapping for self-sufficiency, and the value of trapping education and events.

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TSV Roundup Week of March 11th, 2024 Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

TSV host Fred Bird is joined again by CSF’s Kent Keene, Senior Manager for the Midwest and Western States for this inaugural edition of the standalone TSV Roundup. On this week of March 11th, Fred and Kent kick it off by reviewing Kent’s article for the Sportsmen’s Voice publication, “NASC Legislators from 41 States Weigh in on Farm Bill Debate” before Fred dives into all the news that is fit to print in the hunting, fishing and trapping world in this short and sharp exploration of the issues. They tackle CSF and other conservation advocates’ opposition to the restructuring of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and what that means for sportsmen and women in the Bluegrass State, the recent financial privacy victory for gun owners in Utah during the 2024 legislative session, the all-encompassing federal farm bill debate, the Voluntary Public Access Habitat and City Program, and what to expect from upcoming episodes of the Sportsmen’s Voice podcast!

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Episode 15 - Do Anti-Hunters Belong On Fish And Game Boards? Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

TSV host Fred Bird is joined again by CSF’s Northwestern States Senior Coordinator Marie Neumiller to discuss the issue of non-hunters, and even anti-hunters seeking seats on Fish and Game Boards and Commissions. Together, they highlight the impact of these appointments on wildlife management, hunting heritage, and access, along with exploring the qualifications and changes in commission appointments, the challenges of non-hunting commissioners, the debate between conservation and preservation, as well as the lack of trust and accountability in the commission system. The team dives into the tensions and proposed legislation in Washington State, and the conversation concludes with the importance of sharing voices and taking action to bring about change. This conversation highlights the importance of sharing your voice and engaging in discussions about conservation and wildlife management. It emphasizes the need for education and understanding, as well as the role of hunters and anglers in funding and contributing to conservation efforts. Fred and Marie also address the misconceptions surrounding taxpayer funding and the consequences of preservationist ideals. It emphasizes the importance of staying engaged, voting, and working with legislators and commissions to protect the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The conversation concludes by highlighting the importance of education, storytelling, and involving the next generation in sportsmen and women's policy.

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Episode 14 - Championing Conservation: How Students are Building a Legacy in Wildlife Conservation Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

TSV host Fred Bird is joined by Isabella Mucci of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Collegiate Sportsmen & Women’s Coalition, along with students Jake Tipton of Ole Miss and Helen Bailey of Clemson University. The conversation discusses the process of starting a student organization focused on hunting and conservation at your university, the challenges of registering as a student organization and creating a constitution, the motivations and goals of the students involved in the organizations, including the desire to educate others about conservation and preservation. The group covers the importance of networking and career opportunities in the field of wildlife conservation.

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Episode 13 - Right Whales, Rigs To Reefs, Vessel Speed Restrictions and More! Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

TSV host Fred Bird is joined live from the recent National Assembly of Sportsmens Caucuses summit by Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Senior Director of Fishery Policy Chris Horton and Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Leonard of the American Sportfishing Association. The group dives into Rigs to Reefs, the damage vessel speed restrictions to save right whales would do to the economy and conservation at large, how you can get involved, and so much more.

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Episode 12 - Merchant Code Tracking of Gun Owners And A Preview Of Other Firearm Policy Fights Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

TSV host Fred Bird is joined live from the recent National Assembly of Sportsmens Caucuses summit by Keely Hopkins, Bill Gaines, and (new to the show!) National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) Government Affairs Director Jake McGuigan to dive into a preview of the firearm policy fights on the horizon for this year. The group digs into the recent Merchant Code issues, why it is wrong to track and violate the policy of consumers simply for shopping at a store that carries guns, and why sportsmen and sportswomen need to pay close attention to these fights in their states and at the national level.

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Episode 11 - An Executive Council Presidents’ Roundtable Recorded LIVE From The NASC Summit! Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

TSV host Fred Bird is joined live from the recent National Assembly of Sportsmens Caucuses summit by current NASC Executive Council President (and New Hampshire House of Representatives member) Jeff Goley and former Executive Council Presidents Brian White of South Carolina and Senator Robin Webb of Kentucky for a roundtable discussion on the outlook and future of hunting, fishing and trapping. They share the things they’re working on, some wisdom for hunters, fishermen and trappers looking to get involved, and what we as sportsmen should be focusing on in the year to come.

Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter

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Episode 10 - Chef Josh + Gabby Hoffman Join TSV From The NASC Summit! Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Chef Josh Schwencke - the famed Texas-based wild game chef, culinary writer for Wild Sheep Foundation’s Magazine, and owner of the Gastronomy Company - joins his friend and TSV host Fred Bird from the recent NASC summit to catch up about honoring our harvest through the culinary arts. Chef Josh talks about the importance and history of wild game foods and the locavore movement, and gives tips and tricks on how to better utilize your game meat. Next up, Fred is joined by award-winning outdoor writer and host of the District of Conservation Podcast Gabriella Hoffman to talk about the year in review of legislation, the challenges facing sportsmen and sportswomen as we try to keep these sports alive, and how sometimes the shooting sports community can be our own worst enemy and what to do about it.

Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter

Check out the District of Conservation Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bytWUa76px3IJPVmdaXBX

Check out Chef Josh’s work: https://www.gastronomycompany.com

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Episode 9 - Cuz Strickland + Tom Opre Join TSV From The NASC Summit! Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Ronni ‘Cuz’ Strickland - EVP and Brand Ambassador of Mossy Oak and host of the Fist Full of Dirt podcast for Mossy Oak Properties - joins his friend and TSV host Fred Bird from the floor of the recent NASC summit to catch up about the future of the great outdoors and preview (or post view for those who weren’t there!) Cuz’s keynote speech to the assembled sportsmen, sportswomen and legislators at the summit, along with stories of getting his own grandkids outdoors and why the push to get them outside matters so much. Next up, Fred is joined by award-winning filmmaker Tom Opre of Shepherds of Wildlife to talk about previewing his new feature documentary The Last Keeper covering the land use conflicts occurring in Scotland today.

Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter

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Episode 8 - We’re All The Same Out Here! With Special Guest Durrell Smith of the Minority Outdoor Alliance Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Durrell Smith, President and Co-Founder of the Minority Outdoor Alliance, joins his friend (and TSV host!) Fred Bird to talk about how our differences are set aside when we spend time afield with friends. The two dive deep into their own differences (political, ideological, geographical, and more) and how their shared passions and values define their friendship, not their political ideals – a concept that seems so simple, but oftentimes isn’t!

Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter

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