Georgia State Coordinator Miranda Gulsby joined Governor Kemp for a National Hunting and Fishing Day proclamation signing.
Listening, showing up, and building trust have been crucial ways to prepare for the year ahead
By Swanny Evans, PF & QF Director of Government Affairs
Even though most state legislatures are not quite yet in session, our work at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever hasn't slowed down. In many ways, this is the time when some of the most important work happens—building relationships, listening to our members and partners, and preparing to be effective when lawmakers return.
Since stepping into the role of Director of Government Affairs, I've spent the past several months on what I've come to call a listening tour. I've met with many of our team members, and more than 50 conservation and sporting partners. I've connected virtually with PF & QF chapter leaders across the country and spent time in person with chapter leaders in Colorado and Arizona. These conversations have been invaluable. They've helped me better understand what's happening on the ground and what matters most to our members as we look ahead to the next round of state legislative sessions.
Our teams have also stayed active in states with ongoing policy and engagement opportunities. Over the past quarter alone, PF & QF staff have testified on the importance of public lands in Indiana, participated in National Hunting and Fishing Day and National Shooting Sports Month events alongside governors in Georgia and Nebraska, engaged with members and partners at the Pennsylvania state capitol, and built relationships with legislators at Wisconsin's Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Clay Shoot.
All of this work—listening, showing up, building trust—positions us to move quickly and effectively when legislatures reconvene.
One of the biggest priorities heading into 2026 is dedicated funding for conservation. These funding models provide long-term stability for habitat work, access, and wildlife management. In the coming year, we'll be heavily engaged in efforts to reauthorize Wisconsin's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, defend Iowa's voter-approved Water and Land Legacy amendment, continue advancing conservation funding conversations in Kansas, and explore new funding pathways in Tennessee following the withdrawal of a proposed license fee increase.
Another proven tool we'll continue to advance is specialty license plates. These plates give members a visible way to support conservation while generating recurring funding for habitat work in their states. In 2026, we're actively pursuing or advancing license plate efforts in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kansas, and restructuring an existing Quail Forever plate in Louisiana. Individually, these plates may seem small, but collectively they make a meaningful difference year after year.
We'll also be working to modernize charitable fundraising laws—an issue that doesn't always grab headlines but directly affects our chapters. In several states, outdated regulations still limit how nonprofits can conduct raffles or accept electronic payments. We're engaged alongside partners in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Washington to update those laws, so chapters can continue hosting events and funding conservation work efficiently and responsibly.
Access and education will remain front and center as well. We'll continue supporting efforts to expand hunting access, protect public lands through no-net-loss policies, and promote commonsense initiatives like resident-rate licenses for full-time college students. At the same time, we're watching for opportunities to introduce hunter education concepts within K-12 education systems—efforts that help normalize conservation, safety, and responsible outdoor recreation for future generations.
Finally, defending science-based wildlife management remains critical. In some states, ballot-box biology and efforts to restructure wildlife agencies threaten to shift management decisions away from wildlife professionals and toward political processes. We'll stay engaged wherever those efforts arise; working with partners to ensure wildlife policy is guided by sound science, conservation principles, and the wise use of our natural resources.
Across all of these issues, one thing is constant: member engagement makes the difference. State legislatures are accessible, fast-moving, and responsive to constituents. When members take action—especially through targeted action alerts—it has real impact. That's why we're continuing to build and refine the Upland Action Center, making it easier than ever for members to engage when their voices are needed.
As we head toward the 2026 state legislative sessions, the opportunities and challenges ahead are significant. I'm encouraged by the momentum we've built, the partnerships we're strengthening, and the passion I see from our members across the country. Together, we're well positioned to defend and uplift habitat, access, and hunting in the year ahead.
To dive more into this conversation, listen to this recent episode of the On The Wing podcast.