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

Fred Bird | Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
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Fred Bird hosts The Sportsmen's Voice, a podcast from the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation dedicated to conservation, hunting, and fishing advocacy. Join us as we explore key issues in hunting, fishing, outdoor access, gun rights and wildlife management. CSF exists to inform, influence and defend policies that protect and promote our outdoor traditions. Listen in as Fred delivers the most important news and explores the most pressing topics in the hunting, fishing, gun rights and outdoor heritage spaces.

  1. TSV Roundup Week of March 9th, 2026

    3D AGO

    TSV Roundup Week of March 9th, 2026

    A high-stakes fight over Sunday hunting reveals how policy decisions shape opportunity for hunters nationwide. Access to the outdoors often hinges on legislation. In Maryland, the long-running debate over Sunday hunting is back in the spotlight, and the outcome could shape hunting opportunity for thousands of sportsmen. Fred sits down with Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Kaleigh Leager to break down the latest effort to expand Sunday hunting access in Maryland. The current rules remain one of the most confusing regulatory frameworks in the country, varying county by county and species by species. The proposed legislation aims to expand hunting hours on Sundays while balancing competing interests from other outdoor user groups. The discussion also tackles opposition from segments of the waterfowl hunting community, misconceptions about migratory bird management, and how Atlantic Flyway regulations ensure sustainable waterfowl populations. Beyond Maryland, the roundup covers key conservation policy developments affecting hunters and anglers across the country. Recreational anglers and boaters are invited to help shape improvements to the North Atlantic right whale vessel strike rule. In Tennessee, several bills supporting hunter education and wildlife funding are advancing through the legislature. Indiana moves closer to protecting shooting ranges from local zoning restrictions, while Utah closes out a legislative session that produced several wins for sportsmen. The episode also explores a controversial forestry proposal in Vermont that could limit active forest management on public lands. For hunters and anglers who care about access, wildlife management, and the future of outdoor traditions, these policy conversations matter. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations that connect you to conservation policy. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter   Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min
  2. IP 28 Threat Explained: Oregon Hunting, Fishing, and Farming at Risk

    MAR 6

    IP 28 Threat Explained: Oregon Hunting, Fishing, and Farming at Risk

    A radical ballot initiative could criminalize hunting, fishing, and farming across Oregon overnight. A sweeping ballot proposal in Oregon is raising alarm across the hunting, fishing, and agricultural communities. Initiative Petition 28, known as IP 28, would remove long-standing legal exemptions within the state’s animal abuse statutes. Those exemptions currently protect lawful activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife management, livestock production, pest control, and veterinary research. If the initiative reached the ballot and passed, those activities could be classified as criminal acts. Nearly a million hunters and anglers in Oregon would suddenly face legal risk for participating in traditional outdoor pursuits. The measure would also affect commercial fishing, cattle ranching, dairy production, and the everyday practices that support local food systems. The conversation digs into how IP 28 is structured, why its supporters continue pushing the proposal despite long odds, and how the initiative fits into a broader national strategy targeting hunting and fishing traditions. There is also a close look at the economic and conservation impacts. Removing legal protections for wildlife management could disrupt the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the funding system that supports habitat, game management, and fisheries science. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of what IP 28 actually proposes, how ballot initiatives move forward in Oregon, and why hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the country are paying attention. Follow the show for more weekly hunting, fishing, and conservation policy conversations.   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

    49 min
  3. TSV Roundup Week of March 2nd, 2026  

    MAR 5

    TSV Roundup Week of March 2nd, 2026  

    A billion-dollar salmon fishery hangs in the balance as Pebble Mine resurfaces. The long-running fight over the proposed Bristol Bay mine is back in the national spotlight, and hunters and anglers should be paying attention. At the center of the debate is the Pebble Mine, a massive open-pit mining project slated for the headwaters of the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon run. For decades, Bristol Bay has been a cornerstone of Alaska salmon fishing, supporting a billion-dollar commercial fishery and world-class sport fishing for wild sockeye. It’s also vital habitat for trout fishing, bear hunting, and subsistence lifestyles that depend on intact salmon runs. The concern has always been simple: large-scale mining in the watershed could devastate spawning habitat and permanently damage one of the greatest fisheries on earth. After the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a key permit in 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a rare veto in 2023 under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act. Now, the Department of Justice has reinforced that veto in court, defending the decision to block the mine as proposed. For sportsmen and women who value sustainable fisheries, wild salmon conservation, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, this is a major moment. The outcome will shape how America balances resource development with the protection of critical hunting and fishing habitat for generations. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter   Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min
  4. TSV Roundup Week of February 22nd, 2026

    FEB 25

    TSV Roundup Week of February 22nd, 2026

    A sweeping ballot initiative could outlaw hunting, fishing, and wildlife management in Oregon. Oregon’s IP 28 is more than another anti-hunting proposal. It is a direct attempt to eliminate exemptions within the state’s animal cruelty statutes, effectively banning hunting, angling, trapping, ranching practices, and even common wildlife management tools. If passed, the measure would restrict predator control, criminalize certain animal husbandry practices, and severely limit the ability of biologists to manage species through science-based conservation. Supporters are nearing the signature threshold required to place the initiative on the 2026 ballot. If certified, Oregon voters will decide whether consumptive use of wildlife and livestock production remains legal under state law. That includes everything from elk hunting and bass fishing to pest control and prescribed wildlife management. This conversation goes far beyond one state. Ballot box biology has reshaped wildlife policy before, and IP 28 could serve as a blueprint for similar efforts nationwide. Hunters, anglers, landowners, and conservation advocates need to understand what is at stake and why unified engagement matters. This is a critical moment for the sporting community and the future of science-based wildlife conservation. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter   Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 min
  5. Sunday Hunting Victory in Pennsylvania: A Conservation Milestone

    FEB 19

    Sunday Hunting Victory in Pennsylvania: A Conservation Milestone

    A decades-long fight ends, opening new opportunity for hunters across Pennsylvania.   Pennsylvania has officially expanded Sunday hunting, marking one of the most significant conservation policy wins in the Northeast. After years of stalled efforts and narrow defeats, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation along with the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Members, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and a broad coalition of conservation groups worked together to roll back long-standing restrictions and restore access for sportsmen and women.   Championed by Representatives Mandy Steele and Anita Kulik, and signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro, the legislation gives the Game Commission authority to fully incorporate Sundays into regulated hunting seasons. For working families balancing youth sports, church, and packed schedules, the added day means more time afield and on the waterways, and greater opportunity to mentor new hunters.   Beyond access, the impact stretches into wildlife management and agriculture. Expanded hunting days can help address crop damage from high deer populations, reduce deer-vehicle collisions, and support long-term conservation funding through license sales. Early reports from wardens indicate strong participation and heartfelt appreciation from families finally able to hunt together on Sundays.   This milestone also sets a precedent for regional states like Maine and Massachusetts, where full prohibitions remain. Pennsylvania’s success proves that bipartisan collaboration, strong data, and a unified conservation community can deliver meaningful change for the outdoors.   Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.   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

    35 min
  6. TSV Roundup Week of February 16th, 2026

    FEB 18

    TSV Roundup Week of February 16th, 2026

    Longer red snapper seasons could transform South Atlantic fishing opportunities this year. Momentum is building for South Atlantic red snapper anglers from Florida to North Carolina. After years of frustrating two-day federal seasons, state-led data collection reforms may finally open the door to significantly expanded access. Florida is requesting a 39-day season, while Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are pursuing up to 62 days through exempted fishing permits and mandatory reporting programs. The shift mirrors the Gulf of Mexico’s success, where state management and improved recreational fishing data expanded red snapper seasons from just three days to more than 100 days in some states. At the heart of the debate is how catch, release mortality, and discard estimates are calculated in offshore fisheries management. Better, angler-driven reporting could convert estimated dead discards into real harvest opportunity while maintaining sustainable biomass levels. Beyond saltwater fishing policy, this week covers right to hunt and fish protections in New Hampshire, license reimbursement reform in Mississippi, drone-assisted deer recovery legislation in Iowa and South Dakota, and prescribed fire projects in Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest. From White-tailed deer management and elk recovery to forest habitat restoration and conservation funding, these battles shape the future of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors nationwide. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter   Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min
  7. Hunter Education in Schools and the Future of Hunting Heritage

    FEB 12

    Hunter Education in Schools and the Future of Hunting Heritage

    The fight for hunting heritage is happening in classrooms and state capitols. The future of hunting, fishing, and America’s outdoor traditions depends on more than recruitment. It hinges on smart conservation policy, access to quality land, and educating the next generation about their role on the landscape. Leaders from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation break down proactive legislation shaping the sporting future across the Midwest and West. From hunter education in schools to bipartisan firearm safety efforts, they explain how states like Michigan and Arkansas are building pathways for youth exposure to hunting, conservation funding, and responsible firearm ownership. The conversation goes deeper than recruitment. You’ll hear why the American System of Conservation Funding must be taught alongside physical science, how wildlife councils in Colorado and Michigan are reshaping public perception of hunters, and why access programs in Wisconsin are critical for maintaining quality hunting and fishing opportunities. This is an insider look at how state legislators, fish and wildlife agencies, and sportsmen’s groups are protecting access, strengthening conservation funding, and defending private property rights. If you care about waterfowl hunting, deer management, public land access, or the long-term future of our outdoor heritage, this conversation matters. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.   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

    27 min
  8. TSV Roundup Week of February 9th, 2026

    FEB 11

    TSV Roundup Week of February 9th, 2026

    Wildlife policy battles are reshaping hunting access, conservation funding, and forest management nationwide. Fred breaks down the most consequential conservation news impacting hunters, anglers, and the broader outdoors community. From prestigious recognition in the hunting world to legislative fights that could redefine wildlife management, this conversation goes beyond headlines and into what it means for boots-on-the-ground sportsmen. Jeff Crane’s receipt of the Peter H. Capstick Hunting Heritage Award underscores the power of strong leadership in conservation. But while individual achievements are worth celebrating, policy decisions in states like Indiana, Maryland, and Arizona could have lasting effects on waterfowl hunting, big game seasons, veteran hunting access, and the science-based management model that has long defined North American wildlife conservation. We examine the controversy over lead ammunition restrictions in Maryland and what it means for hunter participation, economic accessibility, and Second Amendment-adjacent debates. We also unpack how changes to natural resources commissions can disrupt science-driven wildlife policy, and why bipartisan conservation legislation remains essential to protecting hunting and fishing traditions. Finally, we explore proactive forest management and wildfire mitigation critical issues for elk hunting habitat, whitetail range, and public land access. If you care about the future of hunting, fishing, and conservation policy, this episode delivers the context you need to stay informed and engaged. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter   Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
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About

Fred Bird hosts The Sportsmen's Voice, a podcast from the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation dedicated to conservation, hunting, and fishing advocacy. Join us as we explore key issues in hunting, fishing, outdoor access, gun rights and wildlife management. CSF exists to inform, influence and defend policies that protect and promote our outdoor traditions. Listen in as Fred delivers the most important news and explores the most pressing topics in the hunting, fishing, gun rights and outdoor heritage spaces.

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