Advocacy Legislative News

For many bowhunters, it may feel like we just wrapped up a federal budget bill not too long ago. And we did. However, Congress and the Trump administration have already begun the budget process for fiscal year 2027. 

For conservation organizations, the 2027 budget is shaping up to be a major victory. The administration has requested $1.9 billion annually over the next five years to address deferred maintenance projects on federal lands — and for public land hunters, that’s a big deal. 

These projects will focus on access to federal lands which, for many hunters, remains a top priority. The corner-crossing debate is on fire across the country right now, but the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in 2025 only recognized it legally within the court’s jurisdiction — Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma — leaving public land hunters in the rest of the country to rely heavily on continued progress for new and restored land access. 

As the fiscal year 2027 budget works its way through Congress and out of committee, it will be important that we as bowhunters keep a close eye on its progress. I don’t think I need to remind anyone about Congress’s attempt to put millions of acres of public land up for sale in the budget bill passed in 2025 — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It was defeated — largely because hunters picked up the phone and contacted their representatives — but it nearly happened. 

As budget talks continue to evolve, remember that our federal representatives will be negotiating across party lines and within them. We need to stay active and vigilant. This funding is negotiable, and it could be reduced — or it could come at the cost of something else, like putting public lands up for sale as a funding source. 

To stay up to date on everything impacting bowhunting across the country, subscribe to  Bowhunters United for free. Your free membership includes access to our advocacy alert system, designed to keep you informed on the legislative issues that matter most — so your voice is heard when it counts. 

If you’ve been involved in the hunting community for a long time—or even a short time—you’ve likely heard the term R3 when the topic turns to growing the sport. R3 stands for recruitment, retention and reactivation. The concept emerged in the 1980s as participation in hunting and shooting sports declined and has remained a central call to action for organizations focused on protecting and growing hunting. 

Today, R3 continues to play a critical role by bringing in new hunters and encouraging past hunters to return to the field. It is also frequently referenced by hunting and conservation organizations when discussing the need for increased funding, as hunters are the largest contributors through the purchase of licenses, tags and equipment. 

While recruitment, retention and reactivation remain a primary focus, there is now an added challenge: countering growing anti-hunting sentiment and organizations working to end the tradition of hunting. This evolving pressure has shifted the importance of R3 from simply growing participation for funding to helping ensure the future of hunting itself. Without continued growth, hunters risk becoming further outnumbered, which could lead to policy changes through legislation or ballot initiatives that affect the right to hunt. 

This is not a distant concern. In Oregon, Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), also known as the PEACE Act (People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions), would place hunting, fishing, trapping and farming under the state’s animal abuse statutes—effectively banning these practices. The petition has already gathered nearly 100,000 of the 117,173 signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot, where Oregon voters will decide its fate. 

Despite these challenges, there are also positive developments recognizing hunting. In Idaho, House Bill 652 was recently passed and signed into law, designating hunting as the official state sport. Idaho has a long-standing hunting tradition and one of the highest participation rates in the country, making it a strong example for R3 efforts in other states. The bill originated from grassroots engagement after 9-year-old Betty Grandy of Twin Falls asked readers of her self-published newspaper about their favorite outdoor activities. When hunting emerged as the clear favorite, she was posed a simple question in an interview: Is hunting a sport? She answered emphatically, “Yes,” which helped grow the idea into a legislative effort that ultimately became law. 

This outcome highlights why R3 efforts are so important and should continue in response to anti-hunting sentiment. The actions of lawmakers and residents in Idaho demonstrate that when hunters of all generations come together, meaningful outcomes are possible. It also serves as a reminder that engaging new participants—especially younger ones—is key to protecting and advancing the future of hunting in the United States. 

As we move deeper into 2026, the war on science-based conservation and the North American model of wildlife conservation continues, driven in part by anti-hunting groups. This year presents an especially challenging landscape, as it is a midterm election year for Congress, with many state legislatures also holding elections—creating threats from multiple angles. 

In Oregon, a particularly serious threat to our way of life has emerged in the form of Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), also known as the PEACE Act (People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions). This measure aims to place hunting, fishing, trapping and farming under Oregon’s animal abuse statutes, effectively banning these practices. 

To qualify for the ballot, the petition must receive 117,173 valid signatures by July 2. As of February, it had already collected around 100,000 signatures, putting it dangerously close to meeting the necessary threshold. If this initiative makes it to the ballot, it could set a concerning precedent nationwide and potentially lead to similar efforts in other states. With 2026 being a midterm election year, the political environment adds another layer of risk, as higher voter turnout could bring more anti-hunting voters to Oregon’s ballot boxes. 

While challenges are mounting in Oregon, there has been some ground gained—or at least maintained—in Colorado. Beaver trappers and hunters were under threat from House Bill 1323, which would have made it illegal to kill or trap beavers for recreation on state public lands and federal lands where state rules apply. 

The bill was introduced under the premise that eliminating legal trapping would provide a “cost-free” solution to the state’s wildfire and drought concerns. Fortunately, the bill was defeated after being indefinitely postponed during this session in a committee vote of 10-3. 

As the year continues and elections move forward, it is critical that bowhunters stand together to protect the right to hunt across the country, continue promoting the North American model of wildlife conservation and support the impact of the Pittman-Robertson Act, which remains one of the strongest funding mechanisms for conservation in the United States. 

To stay up to date on federal and state legislative issues impacting bowhunting, subscribe to Bowhunters United for free and sign up for our advocacy alert system. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for additional news and updates. 

As 2026 moves forward, many in the hunting community are watching Congress and the administration following last year’s debates over federal land use and conservation funding. While those and a host of other issues remain critical on a national scale, federal lawmakers do not regulate bag limits, fair chase standards, technology use or season structures for resident game species, so we need to look at the state level. Regulatory decisions regarding state trust species including all non-migratory game species are formulated through a blend of state fish and game agency regulations and state legislative mandates (laws).  

Most state legislatures meet annually, often for much shorter sessions than Congress, unless a special session is called. Some states only meet every two years. During these compressed sessions, lawmakers move quickly and important proposals can advance with limited attention. For hunters, staying engaged during these periods is essential.  

Decisions made at the state level directly affect how, when and where you hunt. 

One area where laws and regulations can shift rapidly is emerging hunting technology, including drones, thermal optics and range-finding equipment. Without input from the hunting community, new mandates could unintentionally create challenges for hunters or result in citations for activities that were previously permitted.  

Corner crossing is another evolving issue. In 2025, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of corner crossing in Iron Bar Holdings LLC v. Cape. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, leaving the ruling in place within the 10th Circuit, which includes Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma. Because the Supreme Court did not take up the case, the decision does not apply nationwide. States outside the 10th Circuit may address the issue independently through legislation or future court challenges. 

Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to stay engaged. Follow updates from your state legislature and fish and game agency, and subscribe to newsletters when available. Bowhunters United members can use the Action Alert system for free, which provides updates on issues affecting the bowhunting community and offers an easy way to contact state and federal representatives. As anti-hunting sentiment grows in some regions, staying informed, engaged and united is more important than ever. 

“This win in Colorado is a tremendous victory against anti-hunting efforts that are becoming more common in states throughout the country,” said Dan Forster, VP and Chief Conservationist for the Archery Trade Association. “The ATA was proud to sign onto a letter of support prior to this vote that supported Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Department to manage the big cat population based on science.”

The state of Minnesota voted to support the continuation of state lottery funds to aid conservation efforts in the state for another 25 years.