The Sportsmen's Voice

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.

Wilderness
News Commentary
Politics
1
TSV Roundup Week of September 22, 2025
From red snapper management to youth hunting traditions, discover how sportsmen shape America’s outdoor future.
39 min
2
Episode 55 - Conservation Leadership and Outdoo...
Discover how hunting, fishing, and conservation leadership shape policy at the upcoming NASC Summit in Memphis.
48 min
3
TSV Roundup Week of September 15, 2025
Explore the latest conservation updates, hunting access battles, and why sportsmen remain America’s strongest conservationists.
49 min
4
Episode 54 - Q3 Policy Update: Public Lands Pol...
Hunting, fishing, and outdoor access face new legislative battles—here’s what every sportsman should know.
39 min
5
TSV Roundup Week of September 1, 2025
Discover the latest hunting, fishing, and conservation updates shaping outdoor opportunities across the country.
36 min
6
TSV Roundup Week of August 25th, 2025  
Explore new hunting and fishing laws shaping access, conservation, and the future of outdoor sports.
27 min
7
Episode 53 - Sport Fish Restoration Fund’s 75-Y...
Discover how the Sport Fish Restoration Fund fuels fishing fisheries conservation across America.
64 min
8
TSV Roundup Week of August 18th, 2025
From Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade to new pheasant camps in the Plains, Fred Bird breaks down your weekly outdoor news and the biggest stories in hunting, fishing, and conservation across the nation.
25 min
9
TSV Roundup Week of August 11th, 2025
From Florida’s black bear season decision to nationwide hunting regulation changes, here’s what every outdoorsman should know.
36 min
10
Episode 52 - Steel To Sanctuary: Reefing Oil Ri...
Can oil rigs actually improve marine habitats and fishing opportunities in the Gulf? The answer is an unequivocal “YES”, as this feature episode of The Sportsmen’s Voice Podcast details.
47 min
11
TSV Roundup Week of August 4th, 2025
State-level conservation issues are heating up across the country as outdoor seasons approach.
34 min
12
TSV Roundup Week of July 28th, 2025
New laws and regulations are reshaping the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor access nationwide.
30 min
13
Episode 51 - Reviving Hunting Participation Thr...
Discover how hunters, educators, and advocates are reshaping the future of hunting and conservation.
119 min
14
TSV Roundup Week of July 21st, 2025
Ballot box biology, poaching crackdowns, and new hunting tech—here’s what’s shaping conservation policy.
38 min
15
TSV Roundup Week of July 14th, 2025
Fred Bird and Kaleigh Leager, Assistant Manager, Mid-Atlantic States for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation cover this week’s conservation news, including the recent victories for Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania which Kaleigh joins us for. The conversation highlights the importance of bipartisan support in conservation efforts, the role of key figures like Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro and bipartisan support in the Legislatures, and the ongoing challenges faced in wildlife management and habitat restoration. Fred then turns to the rest of the news from around the nation including a wrap-up of the One Big Beautiful Bill, Crossbows in Minnesota, and much more.
45 min
16
Episode 50 - Back-to-Back Sunday Hunting Wins!
Sunday hunting is officially expanding in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, marking a major victory for hunters, conservationists, and rural communities. In this episode, Fred is joined by representatives of each state’s fish and wildlife agency to break down the new legislation that opens up Sunday hunting opportunities, explore how it impacts hunter access, and discuss what it means for the future of hunting and wildlife conservation.
51 min
17
TSV Roundup Week of July 7th, 2025
Fred Bird and Christian Ragosta are in studio this week to break down the latest wins and challenges in conservation policy and sportsmen’s rights, including celebrating major victories with the repeal of Sunday hunting restrictions in both Pennsylvania and Connecticut—a significant milestone for hunters seeking expanded access and opportunities in both, the Keystone State and Nutmeg State. Christian shares insights into how strong legislative support from the Sportsmen’s Caucus in Connecticut helped drive these changes across the finish line.
53 min
18
Episode 49 - Quarter 2 Hunting, Fishing, and Co...
In this Q2 federal policy roundup for hunters, anglers, and conservation advocates, we dive deep into the latest developments shaping the future of hunting, fishing, public lands, and forest management.
61 min
19
TSV Roundup Week of June 23rd, 2025
Fred Bird dives into a lead story about a critical fisheries reform bill in North Carolina with Senior Coordinator, Southeastern States Conner Barker. House Bill 442, which aims to prohibit industrial shrimp trawling in inshore waters, highlights the ecological impacts of shrimp trawling, including bycatch and habitat destruction. Fred and Conner emphasize the support from the recreational fishing community for these badly needed reforms, and share a positive outlook on the future of marine conservation efforts in the Tar Heel State. Fred then transitions to cover the rest of the news fit to print about the great outdoors this week, including the push for a habitat project in Virginia; hunting opportunities expansion in Hawaii to manage invasive feral pigs, goats and sheep; and much more!
32 min
20
TSV Roundup Week of June 16th, 2025
Fred Bird and Taylor Schmitz discuss the current legislative landscape surrounding federal public lands, focusing on the Senate's push to sell off significant portions of these lands. They explore the implications of such actions on local communities, the importance of scrutiny in the legislative process, and the need for collaboration between stakeholders to address the challenges posed by federal land management. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of the issue and the necessity for a balanced approach that considers both conservation and community needs. Fred then transitions to cover the rest of the news fit to print about the great outdoors this week, including the push for Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania, the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Act, the Will Primos Invitational event, and legislative highlights from Mississippi, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and community engagement in conservation efforts.
49 min
21
Episode 48 - Predators, Politics & Conservation...
Join Fred and the crew as they examine the growing tensions between wildlife and human development, the role of hounds and trapping in sustainable management, and why the hunting community must better communicate its conservation value. We also discuss the challenges of managing emerging predators like jaguars and the controversial reintroduction of species into ecosystems.
72 min
22
TSV Roundup Week of June 9th, 2025  
The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup for this week kicks off with CSF’s Senior Director, Fisheries Policy Chris Horton for our lead story on the management of Atlantic red snapper. Chris provides insights into the recent changes in regulations, the importance of accurate data collection, and the potential for state management of fisheries. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by recreational fishermen and the need for innovative management strategies to ensure sustainability and access to fishing resources. Fred then transitions to cover the rest of the news fit to print about the great outdoors this week, including Oklahoma's Senate Bill 50, which provides tax exemptions for firearm safety devices, and the defeat of two detrimental bills in California. It also highlights South Carolina's legislative successes in conservation and access, updates on knife rights in the Northeast, and the Congressional Fishing Competition that emphasizes community engagement and conservation efforts.
41 min
23
TSV Roundup Week of June 2nd, 2025
The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup for this week kicks off with CSF’s Assistant Manager, Northeastern States Christian Ragost for our lead story regarding the imminent “assault” weapons ban in Rhode Island, the implications for law-abiding citizens - including criminalizing important safety accessories such as barrel shrouds (which prevent burns from contact with gun barrels), thumbholes in shotgun stocks, and more, along with the impact on conservation funding. Christian and Fred explore the political dynamics surrounding the legislation and the ongoing challenges faced by the firearms community. Fred then transitions to cover the rest of the news fit to print about the great outdoors this week, including the introduction of the Forest Conservation Easement Program, the potential reestablishment of a black bear hunting season in Florida, the Hawaii Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp contest, and a recap of sporting bills in the Missouri legislative session.
38 min
24
Episode 47 - No Excuses This Gun Storage Check ...
It’s a very special week that is near and dear to National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) President and CEO Joe Bartozzi, who joins Fred on the Sportsmen’s Voice podcast to talk about Project ChildSafe® and Gun Storage Check Week. Fred welcomes Joe Bartozzi to the show to emphasize the importance of firearm safety, secure storage, and the myriad of educational resources available to gun owners. Bartozzi shares personal stories and insights on the significance of proactive measures to prevent accidents and misuse of firearms, and they cover the need for responsible gun ownership to protect and support our rights, the impact of new gun owners on the shooting sports and firearms community, and the various options available to gun owners for securing firearms at home and in vehicles. 
38 min
25
TSV Roundup Week of May 26th, 2025
In this episode of The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup, CSF’s own Fred Bird breaks down the latest legislative battles and victories shaping hunting, fishing, and conservation policy across the U.S. From a controversial anti-conservation ballot initiative in Colorado to critical updates on North Carolina’s recreational flounder regulations, to spotlighting West Virginia’s productive legislative session for the outdoor community and Iowa’s strong push to constitutionally protect hunting and fishing rights, Fred covers what sportsmen and women need to know now.
38 min