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Action Alert

RGS & AWS Joins Conservation Community in Calling for Passage of Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund Bill

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The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society has joined a broad coalition of conservation organizations urging Minnesota legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz to pass the Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations bill before the legislative session adjourns on May 18. In a joint letter signed by leaders across Minnesota’s conservation community, organizations called on lawmakers to set aside ongoing governance disputes and advance the $191 million funding package that supports critical habitat and public access projects across the state. The proposed legislation would invest in land protection, wetland restoration, prairie and forest habitat, fish and wildlife habitat improvements and public outdoor access...

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Save Tuckertown: Protecting Public Land and Wildlife Habitat in North Carolina

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A large swath of valuable wildlife habitat with a long history of public access is now at risk in North Carolina. Nearly 4,700 acres within the Yadkin River Game Lands, privately owned by Alcoa but historically open to the public through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), have been listed for sale. For decades, these lands have provided public access for hunting, fishing and recreation while supporting high-quality wildlife habitat across the Yadkin River corridor. If sold for development, this landscape could be permanently closed to the public, fragmenting habitat and eliminating a rare conservation opportunity in one of North...

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Déjà Vu: Senate Picks Up Where House Left Off on Public Land Sales

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Just weeks after a wave of backlash prompted the House to remove a provision mandating the sale of public lands from its budget proposal, the U.S. Senate has revived the idea, this time with an even larger footprint. The latest Senate budget reconciliation proposal includes a provision to sell off more than 2 million acres of federal public land. That’s considerably more than the House’s initial proposal. While no specific parcels have been identified, the intent is clear – and the threat is real. Our position remains the same as it was in our May 9 statement on the House proposal:...

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Standing up for Public Lands

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This week the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee passed a budget bill ordering the sale of thousands of acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada. Using a budget bill is an unacceptable departure from the proper means of evaluating land transactions. Existing laws for sale or exchange of public lands require due process and the return of revenue to the public land system. A budget bill meets neither requirement, preventing evaluation and diverting revenue to the Treasury. RGS & AWS is joining many partners in advocating the removal of the land sale provisions from the forthcoming budget bill on...

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West Virginia Grouse Survey Discontinued – New Opportunities to Contribute

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The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) recently discontinued their grouse-specific hunter survey due to limited participation. Although this was a difficult decision, the data was no longer providing valuable insights for wildlife management. However, hunters still have opportunities to support conservation efforts. WVDNR encourages hunters to participate in two ongoing surveys: the Bowhunter Survey and the Spring Gobbler Survey. These citizen science surveys collect essential data on wildlife, helping shape conservation strategies across West Virginia and the broader Southern Appalachians region. Even if you don’t hunt grouse, your observations as a bowhunter or turkey hunter can make a significant impact....

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Maine’s Upland Hunting Season Proposal

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We need your voice! A recent proposal aims to change Maine’s upland hunting season, with the season now potentially starting later and closing on cast-and-blast weekends. This means fewer opportunities for families, bird hunters, and out-of-state visitors to enjoy Maine’s outdoor heritage. Our community members have spoken out against this change at recent public hearings, raising several concerns: Impact on Local Economies: Shortening the season could cost small businesses, like guides and lodges, up to $64,000 for just a few days of lost hunting trips. Lack of Data: The proposal seems to be based on perceived “conflicts” rather than actual data on moose...

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