The Sportsmen's Voice | Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Advocacy with 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. Federal Wins for Hunters and Anglers: A 2025 Policy Year in Review

    4D AGO

    Federal Wins for Hunters and Anglers: A 2025 Policy Year in Review

    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. 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

    24 min
  2. TSV Roundup Week of December 21st, 2025

    6D AGO

    TSV Roundup Week of December 21st, 2025

    Michigan just changed how the next generation learns to hunt and it could reshape hunting nationwide. In this year-end edition of The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup, Fred Bird delivers a concise but consequential policy update for hunters, anglers, and public-lands advocates across the country. The headline story comes out of Michigan, where legislation to allow hunter education in schools has passed both chambers and now awaits the governor’s signature. If signed, the program would count toward graduation credit and satisfy the classroom requirement for a Michigan hunting license an unprecedented step toward strengthening hunting heritage and recruitment. Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation's  Bob Matthews joins the show to explain how this long-fought effort came together, what it means for hunter recruitment and retention, and why other states are watching closely. This conversation gets into the mechanics of hunter education, the role of conservation-minded lawmakers, and how classroom-based programs can protect access to hunting while building informed, responsible sportsmen. Beyond Michigan, the episode hits critical national updates affecting waterfowl hunting, deer management, and fishing regulations. Listeners will hear about wildlife crossings legislation that improves habitat connectivity and human safety, updates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on refuges and hatcheries, changes to Missouri’s deer seasons and CWD management, and new mandatory harvest reporting rules for North Carolina anglers targeting species like red drum and speckled trout. The Sportsmen's Voice is an insider briefing designed to keep serious outdoorsmen informed, effective, and engaged as we head into a new year of hunting and fishing policy battles.   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

    20 min
  3. Suppressors: Inside the Fight to Modernize Hearing Protection for Sportsmen and Women

    DEC 19

    Suppressors: Inside the Fight to Modernize Hearing Protection for Sportsmen and Women

    What happens when common-sense hearing protection collides with outdated laws and misinformation?   Suppressors have quietly become one of the most misunderstood and transformative tools in modern hunting, and this week Fred sits down from NASC with Knox Williams, President of the American Suppressor Association and Brent Miller to unpack what the removal of the federal suppressor tax means for hunters, recreational shooters, and the broader outdoors community.   This is an insider conversation that goes far beyond politics. We explore why suppressors are best understood as hearing protection, not tactical accessories—and why waterfowl hunters, elk hunters, whitetail hunters, and upland bird hunters alike are adopting them in record numbers. From maintaining auditory situational awareness in the field to protecting hunting dogs and introducing kids and new shooters to firearms responsibly, suppressors fundamentally change the shooting experience.   The discussion also tackles common myths head-on: poaching concerns, safety misconceptions, and Hollywood-driven narratives that don’t hold up under real-world data. Drawing on decades of advocacy, field experience, and sound-measurement research, our guests explain how suppressors improve hunter safety, reduce noise conflicts with neighbors, and make participation in hunting and the shooting sports more accessible, especially in fragmented landscapes common across the East and Midwest.   Listeners will also gain insight into how hunting culture is evolving, why suppressors are widely accepted in Europe, and what legal challenges could mean for the future of firearms regulation in the United States. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where tradition, technology, and conservation-minded hunting intersect. 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

    37 min
  4. TSV Roundup Week of November 24th, 2025

    NOV 26

    TSV Roundup Week of November 24th, 2025

    Major changes in hunting access, fisheries policy, and fall opportunities every outdoorsman should hear. This week’s TSV Roundup delivers a packed briefing on the biggest conservation and policy developments shaping hunting, fishing, and outdoor access across the country. We open with Massachusetts’ sweeping new gun laws—and what those changes mean for hunters, sportsmen, and future access on Bay State lands. You’ll hear why these policies are raising red flags for gun owners, conservation advocates, and anyone concerned about the future of lawful hunting traditions. From there, we break down how Federal Duck Stamp dollars continue to drive waterfowl habitat restoration, wetlands conservation, and public access for waterfowl hunters. If you chase ducks, dabble in waterfowl hunting, or just want a deeper understanding of how wetlands get funded, this segment gives you the essential context behind one of America’s most successful conservation tools. We also cover a major forest restoration effort on Oregon’s Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest—work that strengthens wildlife habitat, supports big-game hunting opportunities, improves watersheds, and reduces wildfire risk across critical access areas. In the Southwest, we provide a clear update on CWD surveillance in Arizona and what hunters should know about testing rules, carcass transport, and keeping this devastating disease out of the state. Finally, we close with fall fishing opportunities across the Great Plains, including trout stocking updates, cold-water angling strategies, and why musky and winter trout fishing are heating up as temperatures cool. Whether you hunt deer, chase ducks, or fish through the fall, this episode equips you with the insider knowledge you need heading into the holiday season.   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

    48 min
  5. TSV Roundup Week of November 17th, 2025

    NOV 19

    TSV Roundup Week of November 17th, 2025

    Major wins for wildlife management and new hunting opportunities highlight a pivotal week for outdoorsmen. This week’s Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup covers one of the most encouraging conservation wins of the year. Fred opens with a deep dive into Washington’s wolf-management shakeup, where a court dismissed a lawsuit that blocked lethal removal authority during active livestock depredations. CSF’s Assistant Manager, Northwestern States Marie Neumiller joins the show with boots-on-the-ground insight into wolf behavior, non-lethal deterrents, and how lawsuits can undermine science-based wildlife management. The team provides clarity on wolf depredation thresholds, why lethal removal is necessary no matter what the anti-hunters say, and how litigation disrupts effective predator control for ranchers and wildlife managers alike.   From there, we shift east to Maryland, where CSF’s own Kaleigh Leager, Assistant Manager, Mid-Atlantic States has been appointed to the Migratory Game Bird Advisory Committee, an influential body shaping waterfowl hunting regulations and habitat conservation across the Atlantic Flyway. Learn why this Committee matters, what species are directly affected, and how sportsmen’s voices influence state-level gamebird policy.   We then head to Wisconsin for an update on the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, a cornerstone conservation funding mechanism now fighting for reauthorization. Hear how land access, habitat improvement, and long-term investment in hunting and fishing opportunities hinge on the outcome.   Finally, we wrap with a look at surging black bear hunting opportunities across the Southeast. From Florida to Louisiana to North Carolina, thriving bear populations and science-based management are opening new doors for hunters seeking adventure, wild game, and conservation impact.   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

    41 min
  6. Inside the Real Yellowstone debate shaping Western wildlife management

    NOV 14

    Inside the Real Yellowstone debate shaping Western wildlife management

    A groundbreaking new film exposes the real fight shaping America’s wild places—and every hunter should hear this. In this feature edition of The Sportsmen’s Voice, Fred Bird sits down with filmmaker and conservation advocate Tom Opre to break down The Real Yellowstone—a revealing new documentary that dives straight into the conflicts shaping modern wildlife management, ranching, predator recovery, and the future of hunting access across the American West. Tom unpacks the tension between rewilding movements, regenerative ranching, and the long-standing North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Listeners get an insider look at how producers, ranchers, and wildlife managers navigate issues like elk distribution, water resources, fair chase, and the booming presence of apex predators. Along the way, Tom explains how private land stewardship, rotational grazing, and habitat-first ranching practices are creating healthier grasslands that benefit both cattle and wildlife—from upland birds to pronghorn and other big game. The conversation also digs into the rise of American Prairie, bison restoration controversies, and the delicate balance between national food security, public access, and the cultural identity of rural communities. From grizzly bear conflicts to the economics of outfitting, shed hunting seasons, property taxes, and hunter opportunity, this episode pulls no punches. Whether you’re passionate about elk hunting, land management, big-picture conservation policy, or the future of hunting in the Lower 48, this conversation gives you the informed perspective most sportsmen never hear. 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

    43 min

  7. NOV 13

    TSV Roundup Week of November 10th, 2025

    From California’s new firearm restrictions to reef fish recovery and deer disease alerts—this week’s roundup covers it all. Host Fred Bird breaks down the latest hunting, fishing, and conservation headlines shaping the outdoor community. Broadcasting from deer camp in New Hampshire, Fred covers California’s controversial Assembly Bill 1127, what many are calling a backdoor striker-fired handgun ban, and how it could jeopardize both firearm access and conservation funding nationwide. Then, in better news for anglers, the Gulf Council has voted to permanently implement Descend Act measures. Fred explains how descending devices and venting tools are helping to reduce barotrauma in deep-water reef fish, leading to healthier fisheries and more sustainable recreational fishing opportunities across the Gulf of Mexico. Rounding out the episode, Fred shares important updates on the menhaden harvest buffer rollback in Louisiana and CWD testing reminders across the Great Plains. Hunters will learn where testing is available, what new regulations to watch, and how staying informed helps protect deer herds for future seasons. Whether you’re tracking policy, chasing rutting whitetails, or tuning up your reef rig, this is your inside look at the week in conservation and outdoor legislation.   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

  8. NOV 5

    TSV Roundup Week of November 3rd, 2025

    From striped bass policy to black bear hunting, Fred Bird breaks down this week’s biggest wins for America’s sportsmen. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte officially joins the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus, continuing the state’s long tradition of leadership in defending hunting and angling heritage. Fred also spotlights CSF’s new Rocky Mountain States Coordinator, Nate Serlin, and his role working with the Legislative Sportsmen's Caucuses in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. On the fisheries front, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission decides to maintain striped bass regulations, averting unnecessary closures for thousands of saltwater anglers. Down south, Florida’s outdoor community celebrates major conservation wins, from saving the Rodman Reservoir bass fishery to reinstating a science-based black bear hunt. Fred also covers how the U.S. Senate voted to uphold science-based wildlife management, defeating an anti-hunting proposal targeting owl conservation, and explains why access without habitat is meaningless for hunters and trappers nationwide. If you care about how policy affects the woods, waters, and wildlife you love, this is your weekly must-listen briefing from the front lines of conservation.   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

    37 min
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4.8
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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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