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

Fred Bird | Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
  • 4.8 (28)
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  • Updated Biweekly

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. 1d ago

    African Trophy Hunting Truths: Conserving Wildlife Through Sustainable Use

    Conservation succeeds when wildlife has real value to the people living alongside it every day. Robbie Kroger returns from three weeks across South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia with firsthand insight into the challenges shaping African wildlife conservation. The conversation breaks down how trophy hunting bans, import restrictions, and international politics affect habitat, rural communities, and the future of Africa's most iconic species. Rather than focusing on emotion or headlines, Robbie explains why sustainable use remains one of the most effective conservation tools available. Listeners hear how countries like Zambia are publicly supporting regulated hunting, why photo tourism cannot replace hunting revenue across much of Africa, and how changing wildlife economics can unintentionally increase habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. The discussion also revisits the lasting impact of the Cecil the Lion controversy, examines recent debates surrounding another Zimbabwe lion known as Blondie, and explores documented examples from Tanzania and Spain where removing hunting led to measurable habitat degradation and declining wildlife management outcomes. Whether you're interested in African safaris, big game hunting, wildlife policy, conservation science, or the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, this conversation offers practical context for one of hunting's most misunderstood issues. 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

    African Trophy Hunting Truths: Conserving Wildlife Through Sustainable Use

  2. 3d ago

    Fix Our Forests Before the Next Wildfire Season Arrives | TSV Roundup Week of July 20th, 2026

    Healthy forests begin with better management before the next wildfire threatens wildlife, habitat, and communities. Wildfire smoke stretched across much of North America this summer, but the conversation goes far beyond poor air quality. Forest management, wildlife habitat, and the future of public lands all depend on the decisions being made today. Fred Bird sits down with CSF Senior Manager of Western States and Agriculture Policy Kent Keene to explain why the Fix Our Forests Act has become one of the most important conservation policy discussions in the country. They break down how prescribed fire, responsible timber management, and active forest restoration can reduce catastrophic wildfires while improving habitat for deer, elk, wild turkey, upland birds, and countless other wildlife species. The conversation also explores the unintended consequences of decades of fire suppression, why healthy forests require regular management, and how overcrowded timber stands create conditions for larger, hotter fires that devastate ecosystems, rural communities, and sportsmen alike. Listeners will gain a better understanding of how science-based conservation supports better hunting opportunities, healthier wildlife populations, and more resilient public lands for future generations. The episode also covers the latest conservation headlines, including new federal proposals for grizzly bear management, hunter education legislation in Pennsylvania, fisheries habitat restoration, trapping news, and a major victory against a proposed fur sales ban in Colorado. 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

    Fix Our Forests Before the Next Wildfire Season Arrives | TSV Roundup Week of July 20th, 2026

  3. Jul 15

    Make America Beautiful Again Commission Prioritizes Hunting, Fishing, and Public Access | TSV Roundup Week of July 13th, 2026

    Hunters and anglers just received major recognition that could shape public land access for generations. The latest conservation news roundup dives into one of the biggest policy developments for America's sporting community. The Trump administration has released its first progress report on the Make America Beautiful Again Commission, outlining a broad conservation agenda focused on expanding hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and outdoor recreation opportunities across federal lands. Learn what the report means for public land hunters, anglers, and conservation advocates, including new policies that establish hunting and fishing as the default recreational use on federally managed public lands whenever legally appropriate. The conversation also breaks down investments in wildlife habitat restoration, wetlands conservation, fish passage, the Great American Outdoors Act, and science-based fisheries management designed to improve recreational fishing opportunities. Beyond the headline story, this week's roundup covers Arizona's legislative session, Delaware conservation policy updates, North Carolina's first modern elk season, practical advice for introducing new hunters and anglers to the outdoors, and a look at the newest addition to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation federal policy team. Whether you follow wildlife policy closely or simply care about protecting hunting traditions, improving fishing access, and ensuring strong state-led fish and wildlife management, this roundup explains why these developments matter to every sportsman and woman. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations shaping the future of the outdoors. 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

    Make America Beautiful Again Commission Prioritizes Hunting, Fishing, and Public Access | TSV Roundup Week of July 13th, 2026

  4. Jul 9

    Hunt Fish 250: Protecting America's Public Lands Through Science and Conservation Leadership

    America's conservation legacy depends on today's decisions about public lands, wildlife, and outdoor access. America's unmatched system of wildlife conservation didn't happen by accident. It was built by hunters, anglers, and generations of leaders willing to invest in the future of our public lands. Congressman Ryan Zinke joins the conversation to examine where that legacy stands today and what it will take to protect it for the next century. The discussion explores the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, Pittman-Robertson funding, Dingell-Johnson, and why sportsmen continue to carry the financial responsibility for wildlife management. You'll also hear why active forest management, healthy watersheds, wildlife migration corridors, and road crossing projects have become some of the most important conservation issues facing elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, waterfowl, trout, salmon, and countless other species. The conversation also tackles public land access, conservation funding, wildfire prevention, predator management, grizzly bear recovery, chronic wasting disease, and the growing challenge of balancing recreation with increasing development across the American West. Whether you hunt public land every season or simply value America's outdoor heritage, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how science, legislation, and sportsmen work together to keep hunting and fishing opportunities available for future generations. 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

    Hunt Fish 250: Protecting America's Public Lands Through Science and Conservation Leadership

  5. Jul 8

    Supreme Court Strikes Down Hawaii's "Vampire Rule" for Sportsmen | TSV Roundup Week of July 6th, 2026

    A landmark court victory could reshape firearm policy across the country. For hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters, constitutional rights don't end at the trailhead or the parking lot. A major U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Hawaii's so-called "vampire rule" could have lasting implications for sportsmen nationwide. Kaylee Mortensen joins the conversation to explain how Hawaii's law restricted lawful firearm carry on private property open to the public and why the Court found those restrictions unconstitutional. More importantly, you'll hear what this ruling could mean for hunters traveling to and from the field, concealed carry permit holders, and similar firearm laws in states like Massachusetts, California, New York, and New Jersey. The conversation also looks beyond the courtroom, covering positive conservation developments from around the country. Hear updates on proposed changes to Nebraska deer hunting regulations and mountain lion management, recruitment efforts aimed at growing the next generation of hunters, and practical summer trapping preparation tips before fall and winter seasons arrive. The roundup also previews an upcoming conversation with Congressman Ryan Zinke on wildlife corridors and public policy affecting America's outdoor heritage. Whether you're following hunting legislation, conservation policy, or simply preparing for another season outdoors, these are the stories shaping the future of hunting and fishing across America. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations shaping the future of the outdoors. 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

    Supreme Court Strikes Down Hawaii's "Vampire Rule" for Sportsmen | TSV Roundup Week of July 6th, 2026

  6. Jul 2

    Hunt Fish 250: Protecting America's Outdoor Legacy for the Next 250 Years

    The future of hunting and fishing depends on decisions being made today. What does conservation leadership look like for the next 250 years of America? In this special Hunt Fish 250 conversation, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops Executive Vice President J.P. Morris share a deeply personal discussion about outdoor heritage, conservation leadership, and passing hunting and fishing traditions to future generations. From stories about growing up in the Ozarks when wild turkeys and whitetail deer were scarce to raising a new generation of hunters and anglers today, the Morrises reflect on how conservation success is built through teamwork, stewardship, and sustained investment in wildlife habitat and public access. Listeners will hear why the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation remains the global standard, how sportsmen and women continue to fund conservation through licenses and excise taxes, and why organizations like the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation play a critical role in protecting hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities. The conversation also explores recruiting new hunters and anglers, youth outdoor education, conservation partnerships, and the responsibility every outdoorsman has to protect the traditions that define America's outdoor heritage. Whether you're passionate about deer hunting, turkey hunting, bass fishing, waterfowl hunting, or simply protecting access to the outdoors, this discussion offers a hopeful vision for the future and a reminder that conservation is ultimately about people, memories, and the generations that follow us. 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

    Hunt Fish 250: Protecting America's Outdoor Legacy for the Next 250 Years

  7. Jul 1

    Colorado Fur Ban Fight and Conservation Policy Across America | TSV Roundup Week of June 29th, 2026

    Conservation battles are reshaping hunting's future, and every sportsman and woman has a stake in the outcome. Colorado's latest effort to ban the sale of wild fur products highlights a growing challenge facing hunters, trappers, anglers, and everyone who values science-based wildlife management. Conservation policy doesn't stop with one species or one state. The decisions being made today have lasting implications for trapping, predator and furbearer management, habitat conservation, and the future of America's outdoor traditions. This conversation explores why regulated trapping remains a critical conservation tool, how the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation guides modern wildlife management, and why emotional campaigns often conflict with biological science. You'll hear how licensed trappers contribute to habitat health, disease monitoring, biodiversity, and predator and furbearer management while supporting healthy populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and other wildlife. The discussion also covers several important conservation headlines from across the country, including expanded youth hunting opportunities in Delaware, continued investment in North Carolina's game lands through the Land and Water Fund, and the importance of pollinator habitat during Pollinator Week. Whether you spend your time deer hunting, waterfowl hunting, fly fishing, trapping, or simply enjoying public lands, understanding these policy debates is essential to protecting the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation for generations to come. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations shaping the future of the outdoors. 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

    Colorado Fur Ban Fight and Conservation Policy Across America | TSV Roundup Week of June 29th, 2026

  8. Jun 25

    Hunt Fish 250: The Wild Turkey Comeback and Conservation's Greatest Success Story

    The bird almost disappeared forever. The recovery changed American conservation history. Throughout the entirety of America's conservation history, sportsmen and women have helped shape the future of America's fish and wildlife. Few examples illustrate that legacy better than the wild turkey. In this special Hunt Fish 250 conversation, legendary conservation leader Rob Keck joins Fred Bird to explore one of the greatest wildlife recovery stories ever told. From remnant turkey populations surviving in isolated pockets of the country to the nationwide restoration efforts that returned wild turkeys to nearly every suitable landscape, this discussion traces the partnerships, policies, and persistence that made it possible. Rob shares firsthand stories from the early days of wild turkey restoration, including trap-and-transfer programs, habitat management strategies, anti-poaching efforts, hunter education initiatives, and the critical role sportsmen played in building support for conservation. The conversation also examines modern challenges facing hunting and wildlife management, including ballot-box biology, urban expansion, hunter recruitment, and the importance of science-based decision making. Later, CSF Senior Director of Fisheries Chris Horton highlights another conservation success story through recreational fisheries management. From red drum recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast to the role hatcheries, license dollars, and angler-driven conservation have played in restoring fisheries, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for how hunters and anglers continue to fund and drive conservation across America. This is a timely look at the conservation victories that built today's opportunities and the work still required to protect hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions for future generations.   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

    Hunt Fish 250: The Wild Turkey Comeback and Conservation's Greatest Success Story
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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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