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

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Episode 66 | Who Pays for Conservation? Michigan’s Fight for Wildlife Funding and Access Feb 05, 2026

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License fees, fish hatcheries, and hunter education collide in Michigan’s high-stakes conservation debate.

Michigan’s outdoor heritage runs on a model many hunters and anglers take for granted: user-funded conservation. Michigan DNR Deputy Director Shannon Lott and State Senator John Bumstead pull back the curtain on how hunting and fishing license dollars actually keep fisheries stocked, wildlife managed, and public lands open.

The discussion centers on Michigan’s long-overdue license fee restructuring and why it matters now more than ever. Rising costs have put pressure on fish hatcheries, Great Lakes stocking programs, and wildlife management budgets that are funded almost entirely by sportsmen and women. When license revenue falls short, the ripple effects show up fast, from threatened stocking cuts to deferred maintenance on state lands relied on by hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists.

With fewer legislators holding hunting or fishing licenses, education has become critical. From the role of Sportsmen’s Caucuses to the importance of maintaining agency authority grounded in science, the episode highlights how conservation policy is shaped long before it reaches the field.

A major focus lands on Hunter Education in schools and why early exposure to firearm safety, conservation funding, and outdoor traditions matters for the future of hunting, fishing, and public access. Take a candid look at who pays into the system, who doesn’t, and why protecting this funding model is essential for Michigan’s outdoor economy and way of life.

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TSV Roundup Week of February 2nd, 2026 Feb 04, 2026

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From classrooms to statehouses, the future of hunting access is being decided right now.

State legislatures are moving fast, and the decisions being made right now will shape hunting and fishing access for decades. This nationwide conservation roundup breaks down the most important policy fights affecting sportsmen and women, from the Southeast to the Great Plains.

The conversation opens with Tennessee’s push to expand hunter education opportunities by allowing schools to offer voluntary hunter safety courses for grades five through twelve. The discussion explores why early exposure to hunting ethics, firearms safety, and wildlife management matters, and how similar efforts have already gained bipartisan support in states like Georgia and Michigan.

Out West, attention turns to Wyoming, where proposed legislation could affect transferable landowner tags, the use of tracking dogs for wounded game, and funding structures for state fish and wildlife agencies. These policies directly influence elk hunting access, fair-chase recovery practices, and long-term conservation funding.

In the Northeast, Massachusetts presents a major opportunity with potential Sunday hunting rollbacks and expanded crossbow inclusion during archery season. The stakes are high for whitetail deer management, Lyme disease concerns, and giving working families more time afield.

The roundup closes in the Midwest, covering Kansas efforts to reimburse wildlife agencies for discounted licenses and an Iowa proposal aimed at increasing political participation among hunters and anglers through voter registration.

For anyone who hunts, fishes, or cares about protecting outdoor traditions, this episode connects policy to real-world impact and explains why showing up at the state level has never mattered more.

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Episode 65 - Public Lands Under Fire: Policy Battles Shaping America’s Wildlife Future Jan 29, 2026

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Behind closed doors, lawmakers decide the future of hunting, fishing, and access to public lands.

Host Fred Bird sits down with a panel of seasoned policy experts to unpack one of the most consequential issues facing hunters and anglers today: the fight over public lands and wildlife management. This isn’t surface-level debate—it’s a clear-eyed look at how decisions are actually made, who influences them, and why sportsmen need to pay attention long before legislation hits the headlines.

Joined by CSF’s Sr VP Taylor Schmitz, and Delta Waterfowl’s Chief Policy Officer, John Devney and VP of Government Affairs, Cyrus Baird, the crew breaks down the recent public lands battle and explains the formal process that governs how federal lands are managed, from National Wildlife Refuges to multi-use landscapes critical for hunting access and fishing opportunity. Listeners will gain insight into the outsized role state legislators play in shaping land use policy, wildlife funding, and access for future generations of hunters, anglers, and outdoor families.

Fred and his guests also explore the growing importance of caucus networks—organized groups of lawmakers and advocates working behind the scenes to protect wildlife habitat, sustain public access, and keep conservation grounded in sound science. The discussion highlights the challenges facing the National Wildlife Refuge System, including declining awareness and the real consequences that come with disengaged communities.

This episode equips sportsmen with the context needed to engage intelligently, advocate effectively, and ensure America’s public lands remain places where hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions can thrive.

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TSV Roundup Week of January 26th, 2026 Jan 28, 2026

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A once-in-a-generation vote could decide the future of hunting, fishing, and wildlife management in New Hampshire.

Across the country, hunting and fishing traditions face mounting pressure from declining participation and well-funded opposition. In New Hampshire, that reality has sparked a pivotal effort to amend the state constitution and permanently secure the right to hunt, fish, and trap using traditional methods.

This conversation breaks down why that fight matters now, what CACR 15 actually does, and what it absolutely does not. Listeners gain clarity on how constitutional protection differs from statute, why wildlife laws remain unchanged, and how private property rights, seasons, bag limits, and enforcement stay firmly intact. The discussion goes deeper into how hunting and fishing license sales fund boots-on-the-ground conservation through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), the “user-pays-public benefits” model, supporting fisheries management, waterfowl habitat, backcountry trout streams, and healthy wildlife populations statewide.

The episode also tackles common misconceptions around trapping, hound hunting, baiting, and fears of unchecked harvest, grounding each concern in real regulatory frameworks and science-based management. From bobcat population debates to the growing role of anglers and hunters in habitat restoration and clean waterways, this is a clear-eyed look at how outdoor heritage connects directly to conservation outcomes.

Woven throughout are updates on fisheries legislation, invasive species management, public lands advocacy, and the broader national landscape shaping the future of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. For sportsmen and women who care about access, funding, and the long game of wildlife management, this is required listening.

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Episode 64 - Live Bait Under Fire: Red Snapper, Rigs-to-Reef Policy Updates Jan 22, 2026

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Behind the scenes of fisheries policy shaping how anglers fish, access bait, and protect opportunity nationwide.

Live bait fishing, artificial reef habitat, and red snapper seasons are some of the big flashpoints of the day shaping the future of recreational angling. Fisheries leaders from the American Sportfishing Association and conservation policy experts sit down with Sportsmen’s Voice host Fred Bird to unpack three critical battles every serious angler should understand.

First, we dig into the emerging push to restrict interstate live bait sales. Framed publicly as an invasive species concern, these proposals could effectively end live bait fishing in entire regions; especially for ice fishing, panfish, and entry-level anglers. The conversation breaks down why fisheries scientists and state wildlife agencies are pushing back, how bait dealers already operate under strict biosecurity standards, and what these bans would mean for participation, local economies, and fishing heritage.

Next, we shift offshore to the Gulf of Mexico and the Rigs-to-Reef program. Decommissioned oil platforms have quietly become some of the most productive fish habitat in American waters. You’ll hear why keeping these structures in place matters for red snapper, reef fish, and saltwater anglers and what bipartisan legislation aims to fix in the current permitting process.

Finally, we cover red snapper management in both the Gulf and South Atlantic, explaining how state-led data collection has transformed seasons from just days to months. This episode offers a clear look at why better data means more days on the water—and how anglers play a role in that future.

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TSV Roundup Week of January 19th, 2026 Jan 22, 2026

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Momentum matters in outdoor policy, and this week’s roundup captures how quickly access, conservation, and sporting rights can shift. The conversation opens with live congressional action around the EXPLORE Act, one of the most comprehensive outdoor recreation laws in decades. With implementation now underway, hunters and recreational shooters get a clearer look at how federal land agencies may be required to expand safe, accessible target shooting opportunities and improve public land access across Forest Service and BLM districts.

The discussion then turns to state-level efforts that directly affect how hunting and fishing traditions are protected long term. Delaware and New Hampshire race toward becoming the 25th state to enshrine the right to hunt and fish in their constitutions, a move designed to safeguard conservation funding models and outdoor heritage for future generations. Listeners also hear about new Interior Department directives aimed at removing barriers for hunters and anglers on federal lands and waters.

Freshwater fishing takes center stage with renewed debate over Florida’s Rodman Reservoir, a destination largemouth bass fishery with national implications for fisheries management and angler access. The roundup closes with practical policy issues that hit close to home, including meat processor tax credits that support game meat donation programs and unique wildlife management challenges in Hawaii’s diverse ecosystem.

For hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen who want to understand how legislation translates into real-world access and opportunity, this is essential listening.

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Episode 63 - Fair Chase vs Drones: Technology, Ethics, and Wildlife Management Debates Jan 16, 2026

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Are drones redefining ethical hunting, or quietly eroding fair chase traditions across America?

Modern hunting and fishing live at the intersection of tradition and technology; and few debates expose that tension like drones in the field. Corey Mason, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Conservation for the Wild Sheep Foundation and CSF Board Member, sits down with Sportsmen’s Voice host Fred Bird to unpack one of the most pressing ethical questions facing today’s hunters: where does fair chase end when technology begins?

The conversation dives deep into how drones, thermal imaging, and real-time reconnaissance are increasingly used for scouting and game recovery. While many hunters view these tools as a way to reduce unintended waste and improve recovery after a shot, others worry they create an unfair advantage that undermines the core principles of ethical hunting. Drawing from recent legislative action in states like Montana, Corey explains how agencies are attempting to place guardrails around drone use while still respecting hunter responsibility.

Gain insight into how wildlife managers account for recovery rates, wounding loss, and harvest success when setting population goals for big game species like deer, elk, and wild sheep. The discussion also explores parallels to shed hunting pressure, tracking dogs, and digital tools like mapping apps illustrating how individual technologies may seem harmless, but collectively shift the balance between hunter and animal.

Beyond policy, this episode captures the deeper cultural stakes: heritage, effort, and respect for wildlife. For anyone invested in hunting ethics, conservation science, and the future of fair chase in the outdoors, this is a conversation that challenges assumptions and demands thoughtful reflection.

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TSV Roundup Week of January 12th, 2026 Jan 14, 2026

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What happens when offshore rigs become thriving fisheries and why lawmakers are finally paying attention.

Kicking off 2026, The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup goes straight to Capitol Hill for a timely update on one of the most important fisheries conservation tools in the country: the Rigs to Reefs program. Fresh off congressional testimony, Chris Horton, CSF's Sr. Director of Fisheries Policy, breaks down what sportsmen and women need to understand about how offshore energy structures are transformed into long-term fish habitat and why that matters for coastal ecosystems and recreational fishing access.

This conversation goes beyond politics and into the science. You’ll hear how artificial reef structures support real fish productivity, increase biomass, and create ecosystems that simply wouldn’t exist without them. Drawing on decades of data and peer-reviewed research, Horton explains why Rigs to Reefs isn’t just about attraction, but about sustaining healthy saltwater fisheries for generations of anglers.

The episode also tackles common misconceptions around offshore policy, including cost-sharing, industry involvement, and how state fish and wildlife agencies reinvest funds directly into fisheries management and habitat improvement. For anyone passionate about saltwater fishing, coastal conservation, or how federal and state policy shapes the outdoors we enjoy, this is an insider look at how conservation, science, and legislation intersect.

Whether you’re a Gulf Coast angler, a traveling sportsman, or someone who cares about the future of America’s fisheries, this episode provides clarity on why these structures are worth fighting for and how the sporting community can play a role in shaping the outcome.

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Episode 62 - Inside the NASC Summit: State Leaders Shaping Hunting and Fishing Policy Jan 08, 2026

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How bipartisan state leaders quietly protect hunting, fishing access, and outdoor traditions nationwide.

The NASC Summit isn’t just another legislative conference—it’s where policy concepts and strategies to shape the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor access are developed. In this episode of The Sportsmen’s Voice, host Fred Bird takes listeners inside the 2025 NASC Summit in Memphis, Tennessee, a first-of-its-kind joint effort between the Tennessee and Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses.

You’ll hear candid conversations with state legislators, conservation leaders, and partners like Ducks Unlimited and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation about how collaboration at the state level drives meaningful wins for sportsmen. From defending access to public lands and protecting waterfowl hunting traditions to navigating debates over lead ammunition bans and Sunday hunting laws, this episode reveals how policy battles are won—or lost—long before they ever reach Washington.

Whether you’re passionate about waterfowl hunting, fisheries management, or protecting the future of outdoor access, this episode offers an insider’s look at how leadership, collaboration, and boots-on-the-ground knowledge are keeping America’s sporting heritage strong.

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Episode 61 - Federal Wins for Hunters and Anglers: A 2025 Policy Year in Review Dec 26, 2025

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Behind the scenes of 2025’s biggest federal decisions shaping access, seasons, and the future of hunting and fishing.

As the final feature episode of 2025, this conversation takes a clear-eyed look at how federal policy quietly shaped the year for hunters, anglers, and public-land users nationwide. Host Fred Bird sits down with Chris Horton, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Sr. Director of Fisheries Policy, to unpack the legislative wins, hard-fought battles, and unfinished business that directly affect how and where we hunt and fish.

The discussion starts with the MAPWaters Act, landmark legislation headed to the President’s desk that brings long-overdue clarity to public water access. From waterfowl hunting access points to inland fishing regulations, standardized digital maps will help sportsmen understand where they can launch, hunt, and fish without guesswork or accidental violations. The conversation then moves offshore, where progress on MAPOceans promises similar clarity for saltwater anglers navigating seasons, closures, and marine boundaries.

Get an insider breakdown of fisheries management victories, including momentum toward better red snapper data collection in the South Atlantic, and the decision to hold the line on striped bass restrictions amid strong rebuilding trends. These aren’t abstract policy debates, they determine season length, access, and opportunity for recreational anglers.

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation crew also highlights key reauthorizations that protect wetland habitat, support fisheries conservation funding, and safeguard science-based management. Finally, Chris looks ahead to 2026, outlining what hunters and anglers should watch as Congress returns to work.

Follow the show for more weekly conversations shaping the future of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.

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